Early History of Bird Cages
Bird cages were used by most ancient civilisations, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, Greece, Rome, China, India and Babylon. Birds were often kept for religious or symbolic reasons, but they were also a sign of wealth and status; the Romans imported African birds to their courts for this reason.
Europe was also fascinated by captive birds. The earliest cages were most probably made of twigs, rope, reeds or bamboo and used by ocean explorers who would release a bird as a means to detect dry land. If the bird returned to its cage on the ship, it found nothing but water on its flight.
Exotic Birds and Decorative Cages
The Portuguese brought canaries to Europe in the 1400s from Madeira, the Canary Islands and the Azores. In the early 1500s traders began to bring parrots and other exotic birds from Africa, Java and India to Europe, and when they discovered the Americas they brought back macaws. These exotic birds, especially those that could mimic the human voice, became a desirable accessory for royal and aristocratic ladies.
As the sale of exotic birds became increasingly lucrative, with birds selling for their weight in gold, so too were birds housed in the most elaborate of cages. The creativity and ingenuity of design was remarkable. For example Germany’s Harz mountain area became famous for some of the earliest bird-cages which were carved to emulate chalets, in the same style of the cuckoo-clock cases. These early cages contained tiny internal doors which could be opened or shut to control the bird’s song, and to enable the bird to roost in darkness and to awake at dawn.
Bird Cages in England and Europe
In England thIn England there was a keen interest in exotic birds and their cages, Charles II ordered that the street adjoining St James Park be lined with all manner of birds in cages, creating a spectacular display of English antiques, by 1691 the street was known as it is today - ‘Birdcage Walk’. During the Enlightenment bird cages were often architectural in design, sometimes resembling castles in order to give the bird more space.
Exotic birds with colourful plumage continued to be housed in elaborate cages as a symbol of wealth and sophistication. Bird cages created for the wealthy became fine decorative antiques, often made using precious materials such as ebony, ivory and blown glass, with porcelain feeding vessels. The period between 1750 and 1850 was the most innovative in birdcage design.
Victorian Popularity
The peak of bird keeping came during the Victorian age and in the 1860s it was estimated that at least 4,000 canary breeders in Norwich alone were supplying birds for the London markets. Apart from canaries and budgerigars, native goldfinches, cock linnets and siskins were also in demand. The bird cage became a key element in the middle-class Victorian parlour.
Bird cage design continued to evolve during the Arts and Crafts and Art Deco periods, reflecting interior trends, such as the use of oriental-style hanging cages.
Bird Cages in Interiors Today
Bird cages are a successful example of antiques and interiors working well together - they add an unusual and unexpected element to your room, which can act as a focal point. There is something whimsical and magical about them, perhaps because of the exotic birds they were once home to. They are eye-catching and interesting antique decorative accessories. At Mist Antiques the spectacular bird cage in the image is currently available, with its collection of tiny 1960s white doves - to find out more visit the Decorative/Metal & Wood page.
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