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

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 *Tuti‑nama* (Tales of a Parrot).
About this work
Overview
The object is a single leaf from the manuscript known as *Tuti‑nama* (Tales of a Parrot). It consists solely of handwritten text, presented on a light‑brown folio whose edges are bordered by darker brown lines. The paper shows signs of age, including minor tears and surface discoloration, typical of historic codices.
Subject & Meaning
The page contains narrative prose in an unfamiliar script, with certain passages emphasized through enlarged lettering. While the exact content is not translated here, the use of larger characters suggests a hierarchical or thematic significance within the broader story of the *Tuti‑nama*, a collection of moral and entertaining tales.
Technique & Style
The text is rendered in a decorative hand, employing a refined calligraphic style that balances legibility with ornamental flourish. The script’s varying size and the consistent brown ink on the parchment reflect conventional manuscript practices of the period, where visual hierarchy was achieved through typographic variation rather than illustration.
History & Provenance
The folio originates from an older book, likely produced in a region where Persian or related literary traditions flourished. The paper’s condition, including edge staining and minor damage, indicates centuries of handling and storage before its current inclusion in a modern collection.
Context
*Tuti‑nama* belongs to a genre of didactic literature that blends fable, poetry, and moral instruction, often circulated in courtly and scholarly circles. Manuscripts of this type were commonly copied by hand, and their pages served both as literary vehicles and as objects reflecting the aesthetic values of their patrons.
Artist & collection











