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

The script is rendered in flowing black ink, with variations in line weight that create a subtle visual rhythm. The handwriting combines angular and curvilinear forms, characteristic of Persian Nastaliq calligraphy, while the absence of illustrative miniatures emphasizes the primacy of the written word. The red border is applied with a fine brush, adding a decorative yet functional frame.

The page originates from a manuscript produced in Iran during the 17th‑18th centuries, a period when illustrated books were commissioned by aristocratic patrons. It entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art through acquisition in the late 20th century, where it has been conserved and displayed as part of the museum’s Islamic art holdings.

The Tuti‑nama belongs to a tradition of Persian literary anthologies that blend poetry, prose, and moral tales, often illustrated by court painters. While many copies feature elaborate miniature paintings, this particular leaf reflects a variant focused solely on the textual narrative, offering insight into the diverse formats through which such stories were disseminated.