Birdcages have been in existence for centuries. The Sumerians, Egyptians, Persians, Babylonians, Hindus, Aztecs, Polynesians, etc., all were obsessed with containers to hold creatures that we humans adored for their freedom and the ability to soar through the sky.
Therefore, cages were invented to capture birds and keep them as pets.
Beyond being pets, birds did come in handy at times, especially for ocean explorers who released them to detect dry land. If the bird returned to its cage on the ship, it meant that it found nothing but water on its flight. But birds were primarily used as fashionable pets in creative and beautiful cages. Canaries were very popular for the lovely songs they produced. However, at some point, it was discovered that canaries would die faster in the presence of dangerous gases and were then used as safety checkers in coal mines. Not a good thing for the poor canaries!
Earlier cages were made of twigs, rope, reeds, or bamboo. As they became more fashionable, the cages were more architectural and castle-like and were made primarily of wood. They were designed to provide more room for motion and play, especially for larger birds such as parrots, macaws, and cockatoos. Ultimately, metal wire became the go-to material for bird cages. And style became of great importance.
Because of their long-term popularity, there are numerous beautiful and creative vintage and antique bird cages to be found today. Yes, they could be used for birds, but they also make a fun decor piece. Their uniqueness adds style, ornamentation, and history to just about any room where you might choose to place them. Hang them in a sunny room, place them in a group on a table, use them on a lamp base, give one a spot on a decorative pedestal in your entry, fill some empty shelf space with several small ornate cages, or place them on a covered or enclosed patio. Have fun with them as decor, but let the birds fly free in the sky where they belong.
Cages are from The Rock House Antiques and a private collection.
