The magic parrot of the merchant talks to the vizier’s son, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Tenth Night

Cleveland Museum of Art

The magic parrot of the merchant talks to the vizier’s son, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Tenth Night

Lalu

Date
c. 1560
Medium
gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Culture
Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Institution
Cleveland Museum of Art

The talking parrot, perched on the finger of the merchant, reveals his experience of being repeatedly traded for replicas. These many trades have spoiled the bet between the merchant and the vizier’s son. Members of the vizier’s court react to the story with shock. Together the two men ultimately confront the treacherous monk and their deceptive wives. The figure on the left touches his mouth in a gesture of surprise.

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