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

The object is a single leaf from the Persian manuscript known as the Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama). It consists of a sheet of light‑coloured paper bearing a continuous line of blue calligraphy, framed by a narrow red border. The surface shows signs of age, with slight wear and discoloration, but the text remains legible and uniformly executed.

The blue script records a narrative passage from the Tuti‑nama, a collection of moral and didactic stories traditionally illustrated for courtly audiences. Although this particular leaf contains no accompanying miniatures, the text itself conveys the tale’s ethical lesson, reflecting the manuscript’s role as both literary entertainment and instructional guide in its original cultural context.

The Tuti‑nama belongs to a broader tradition of illustrated moral compendia that flourished in the Islamic world from the 14th to 17th centuries. While many copies feature elaborate miniature paintings, some versions, like this one, prioritize textual presentation, highlighting the importance of the narrative itself within the literary culture of the period.