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. This object is a single leaf from an illuminated manuscript known as the *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
This object is a single leaf from an illuminated manuscript known as the *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). The page measures roughly the size of a typical book leaf and presents black calligraphic text on a light‑brown background, framed by a narrow decorative border.
Subject & Meaning
The manuscript contains narrative material written in an unidentified language, with certain words or phrases emphasized in blue ink. The purpose of the text, as well as the story it conveys, remains unclear due to the lack of a known translation.
Technique & Style
The script is rendered in a flowing, ornamental hand, featuring elaborate flourishes that are characteristic of illuminated book production. The border encircling the page is composed of thin, interlacing lines in red, blue, and yellow, adding a modest chromatic accent to the otherwise monochrome layout.
History & Provenance
The leaf is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Its acquisition details, including previous owners or the date of creation, are not specified in the available documentation.
Context
Illuminated manuscripts such as this were traditionally produced for literary, religious, or courtly purposes in regions where manuscript culture flourished. The presence of decorative borders and highlighted text suggests it was intended for a readership that valued visual embellishment alongside the written word.
Artist & collection










