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

Description

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.

Provenance

Estate of Breckinridge Long [1881–1958], Bowie, MD (?–1959); (Harry Burke Antiques, Philadelphia, PA) (1959–1962?); (Bernard Brown Agency, Milwaukee, WI, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art. Purchased with funds from Mrs. A. Dean [Helen Wade Greene] Perry) (1959?–1962); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1962–)

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

Lalu

c. 1560

Accession Number

1962.279.84.b

Medium

gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper

Dimensions

Painting only: 7.3 x 10.2 cm (2 7/8 x 4 in.); Overall: 20 x 13.2 cm (7 7/8 x 5 3/16 in.)

Classification

Painting

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry