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Object Timeline
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1971 |
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Birdcage With Fishbowl (Netherlands)
This is a Birdcage with fishbowl. It is dated early 19th century and we acquired it in 1971. Its medium is sycamore-inlaid fruitwood and fruitwood veneered wood, carved gilt wood, blown enamel-painted and gilt-decorated glass, cast brass, stamped gilt metal, metal wire. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.
Birdcage with fishbowl
Netherlands, early 19th century
Wood, glass, gilded brass, metal wire
Gift of Channing Hare, 1971-7-1-a/d
The roof of this square wooden birdcage is retractable, creating an opening into the inverted inner glass bowl. Ostensibly, the bird could fly up into this globe and appear to be flying in formation with its brethren painted on the outer glass, while the fish would swim below the painted sea level. This evocation of nature, adventure, and exploration created a miniature fantasy for the viewer.
This object was featured in our Object of the Week series in a post titled Birdcage fishbowl.
This object was
donated by
Channing Hare.
It is credited Gift of Channing Hare.
- Bulb Lamp
- mold-blown glass, chrome-plated metal, incandescent bulb.
- Gift of Ingo Maurer.
- 2008-16-1-a,b
Its dimensions are
H x W x D (a & b): 62.2 x 31.8 x 31.8 cm (24 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 in.)
Cite this object as
Birdcage With Fishbowl (Netherlands); sycamore-inlaid fruitwood and fruitwood veneered wood, carved gilt wood, blown enamel-painted and gilt-decorated glass, cast brass, stamped gilt metal, metal wire; H x W x D (a & b): 62.2 x 31.8 x 31.8 cm (24 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 in.); Gift of Channing Hare; 1971-7-1-a/d
