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

The script is executed in a flowing, cursive hand characteristic of Persian calligraphy in the early 17th century, with tightly packed, curved strokes that maximize the use of space. The faint red border, applied with a fine brush, serves both decorative and structural purposes, framing the text without overwhelming the calligraphic composition.

Created as a luxury manuscript for Prince Salim, the folio later entered private collections before being acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art. Its provenance reflects the typical trajectory of Safavid courtly books, which were often gifted, inherited, or sold to collectors in the 19th and 20th centuries.

*Tales of a Parrot* belongs to a broader tradition of Persian literary works that blend poetry, prose, and didactic storytelling. Produced during a period of flourishing arts under Safavid patronage, the manuscript exemplifies the era's emphasis on elaborate book production, where calligraphy, illumination, and binding were coordinated to honor the patron.