Jewel__A_Celebration_of_Earth_s_Treasures

CHINESE BIRDCAGE 215

T

his ornate antique birdcage

from China, festooned with

treasures, is more decorative

than practical. Featuring finely

carved materials and precious stones, it

would have introduced an airy aesthetic

to a wealthy home.

The cage is 63cm (24¾in) high with a

diameter of 33cm (13in), and is constructed

from carved wood. The base is lacquered

ebony inlaid with bone and ivory, and

the cage features carved ivory details,

porcelain water and feed bowls, and

amber and jade decorations. The cage

was primarily produced in the era of

Chinese ruler Ch’ien Lung (1735–96),

with later additions around 1880–1910.

Around the 17th century, birdkeeping

was in vogue, and by the 18th century

birdcages were lavish interior design pieces

indicating wealth and status. Birdkeeping

dates back to 300 BCE in China, and was

a popular pastime among Chinese nobility.

Songbirds were particularly valued, and

some cages were intended to accompany

their owner around the house, providing a

pleasant soundtrack, much like a modern-

day stereo. Some owners took this a step

further, and the ornate cage and bird were

taken outside for a “walk”, a custom that

continues today. The cage is swung lightly

to encourage the bird to cling to its perch,

exercise that helps to maintain its plumage.

Key dates

1735–1916

1650

1700

1750

1800

1900

1897 The Hewitt sisters

found the Cooper Hewitt

museum in New York City,

dedicated to interior design

pieces including atypical

items, such as birdcages

1880–1910 Additional

details are added

to the cage

1916 Thomas Ryan donates

the birdcage to the Cooper

Hewitt, Smithsonian

Design Museum^1925

1950

1850

In China,

“birdcage

holder” was

a derogatory

term for an

idle person

Chinese birdcage

Qing Dynasty birdcage, thought to have been made

around 1735–96, decorated with amber, jade, ivory,

bone, and lacquered ebony

△ Ch’ien Lung, 18th-century Emperor of China

Ivory details

Carved wood

bars

Bird owner in Beijing, China, taking his bird out in its

cage, c.1930s–40s, photographed by German documentary

photographer Hedda Morrison

Lacquered

ebony base

Jade beads

Eleanor Garnier Hewitt,

art collector

1735–96 The cage is

made during the era

of Chinese Emperor

Ch’ien Lung, known for

his interest in the arts

c.1890s The Hewitt sisters,

Eleanor and Sarah, travel

widely, collecting various

artefacts of interest

c.1900s Thomas F Ryan,

a US business magnate,

acquires a number of

artworks and collectors’

pieces, including

the birdcage

214-215_STO_Chinese_Birdcage.indd 215 18/05/2016 11:40