Artwork

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, unspecified, 1560
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, unspecified, 1560

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The object is a single leaf from the manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).

About this work

Overview

The object is a single leaf from the manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). It consists of a page of text rendered in black ink on a light‑beige parchment, framed by a thin red border and accented with occasional yellow markings. No illustrative imagery accompanies the script, emphasizing the written content as the sole visual element.

Subject & Meaning

The page contains a passage written in an unidentified script, suggesting a linguistic or cultural tradition that has not yet been deciphered. Its inclusion in the *Tuti‑nama* indicates a narrative or didactic purpose, typical of medieval Persian or Central Asian compendia that combined prose with moral or allegorical tales.

Technique & Style

The scribe employed a fine-point pen to apply dense, uniform black ink, achieving a compact block of text. The parchment’s beige tone provides a neutral backdrop, while the red border—likely applied with a broader brush—frames the page. Small yellow highlights, perhaps added with a pigment wash, break the monotony and may serve as decorative or functional markers.

History & Provenance

The manuscript’s origin, date, and ownership remain uncertain due to the unreadable script. It is catalogued as a painting for conservation purposes, reflecting its treatment as a visual artifact rather than a purely literary document. Further research may clarify its cultural and chronological context.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.