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 illustrated manuscript known as Tuti‑nama (Tales of a Parrot).
About this work
Overview
The object is a single leaf from the illustrated manuscript known as Tuti‑nama (Tales of a Parrot). It consists solely of handwritten text set against a light‑colored parchment background. The page measures roughly the size of a typical codex folio and shows signs of age, including surface staining, minor tears, and a softened edge.
Subject & Meaning
The script records a narrative episode from the Tuti‑nama, a collection of moral and didactic stories traditionally conveyed through a parrot’s speech. Although the language is not identified here, the text likely follows the work’s customary blend of folklore and ethical instruction, using allegorical dialogue to convey cultural values.
Technique & Style
The text is rendered in black ink with a flowing, cursive hand, characteristic of South‑Asian manuscript traditions. Select words are accentuated in gold pigment, a common practice to highlight key terms or moral points. The page is framed by a decorative border: a narrow red line runs just inside a broader blue band, providing a subtle visual hierarchy.
History & Provenance
The leaf appears to be from an older, possibly pre‑modern, copy of the Tuti‑nama, as indicated by its worn condition and the use of gold highlighting. No specific ownership marks are present, suggesting it may have been part of a larger collection that was later disassembled or acquired by a museum or archive.
Artist & collection
- Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page