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

This artifact is a single page from the illustrated manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama). The sheet is composed of warm‑toned paper, slightly yellowed with age, and is bordered by a thin red strip. The entire surface is filled with densely arranged black calligraphic script, organized in neat rows that suggest careful, deliberate composition.

The inscribed verses are poetic in nature, likely recounting a narrative centered on a parrot, a common motif in Persian literary tradition. Though the text is not a direct dedication, the page was produced for Prince Salim, indicating a patronage context and suggesting the work was intended for private enjoyment or recitation.

Tales of a Parrot belongs to a genre of Persian storytelling that blends moral instruction with entertainment, often employing animal protagonists. The manuscript’s elaborate presentation aligns with the aesthetic values of its time, where visual elegance complemented literary content.