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. This illuminated page originates from the Persian manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama), a narrative composed for Prince Salim.

About this work

Overview

This illuminated page originates from the Persian manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama), a narrative composed for Prince Salim. The sheet is a single folio of text, densely filled with black calligraphic script that runs from margin to margin, bordered by a slender red line. The paper exhibits a warm, slightly yellowed tone, indicating age and careful preservation.

Subject & Meaning

The written passage forms part of a larger literary work recounting the adventures of a talking parrot, a popular motif in Persian courtly storytelling. Intended for a princely audience, the text reflects the patron’s taste for sophisticated, moralizing tales that blend entertainment with ethical instruction.

Technique & Style

The calligraphy is executed in a tight, flowing hand, with letters that curve and interlock, maximizing the use of space. The script follows a disciplined, uniform style typical of high‑quality court manuscripts, while the thin red border provides a subtle visual frame without detracting from the dense textual field.

History & Provenance

Created for Prince Salid, the manuscript was likely produced in a major Persian workshop during the late 16th or early 17th century. The folio entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is conserved and displayed as an example of Persian literary art.

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.