Artwork Page for The bird of seven colors brings a sable to the pious man, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fifty-second Night

Details / Information for The bird of seven colors brings a sable to the pious man, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fifty-second Night

The bird of seven colors brings a sable to the pious man, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fifty-second Night

c. 1560

Mughal India, court of Akbar

(reigned 1556–1605)
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Medium
gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Measurements
Overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); Painting only: 5.7 x 9.7 cm (2 1/4 x 3 13/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.333.b
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

Several red and yellow gemstones, which fell from the bird’s feathers, rest on the ground at its feet.

Description

The pious man and his wife stare at the fantastic seven-colored bird in surprise. Although it cost the man his final diram, the bird becomes a source of great wealth and prosperity for his family. Every day it leaves and returns with a sable, which the man sells in the market. Soon the man becomes a well-known merchant.
A vertical manuscript page features Persian script in the upper two-thirds and a gum tempera painting below. Within a red background with yellow geometric patterns, a woman in a blue top and red skirt sits on a stool. To our right, a man in a green robe and white turban stands. To our left, a multicolored bird holds a brown animal in its beak. Thin red and gold borders frame the layout.

The bird of seven colors brings a sable to the pious man, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fifty-second Night

c. 1560

Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

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