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Object Timeline
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1910 |
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1916 |
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2014 |
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2025 |
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Birdcage (China)
This is a Birdcage. It is dated 1735–96 and 1880–1910 and we acquired it in 1916. Its medium is lacquered wood with inlaid bone,ivory, and ebony (base); carved and cut ivory, carved wood, carved jade, carved amber, cloisonné enamel, glazed porcelain. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.
Primarily produced in the era of Qianlong, a Chinese ruler known for his artistic sensibility, this birdcage marries beauty and function. Chinese bird keeping dates back to the 3rd century BC. By the 18th century, pet songbirds and their lavishly constructed cages were synonymous with social stature, marks of luxury and tradition.
When the Hewitt sisters travelled to Europe in pursuit of objects for the museum they were creating (see photo of Sarah, Eleanor, and Amy Hewitt in a Venetian gondola), they collected items that, today, might not seem immediately relevant to a design museum—like birdcages. The European-focused Hewitt sisters acquired birdcages in various media, such as ceramics and glass. Others represent specific architecture from various locations.
This object was
donated by
Thomas F. Ryan.
It is credited Gift of Thomas F. Ryan.
- Hair Ornament (China)
- kingfisher feathers, lacquer, silk-covered wire.
- Gift of William Dangaix Allen.
- 1939-73-11
- birdcage Miniature
- silver.
- Gift of Anonymous Donor.
- 1949-19-6
- Drawing, The Drawing Room at Middleton Park, Oxfordshire
- brush and watercolor, gouache, gold paint, graphite on white wove paper.
- Thaw Collection.
- 2007-27-26
Our curators have highlighted 6 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:
- Drawing, Design for a Cover of The New Yorker or Promenade Magazine
- graphite, pen and ink, brush and watercolor, crayon on off-white laid paper.
- Gift of Christina Malman.
- 1947-110-3
- Box, Lac Burgauté
- gold, lac burgauté (panels), round diamonds, carved coral, black enamel,....
- Lent by Private Collection.
- 13.2016.80
- Print, Ornament Panel with Bird Cage
- engraving on off-white laid paper.
- Museum purchase through gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
- 1946-29-3
Its dimensions are
H x diam. (a): 56.5 x 33 cm (22 1/4 x 13 in.) H x diam. (b): 6.5 x 33 cm (2 9/16 x 13 in.)
Cite this object as
Birdcage (China); lacquered wood with inlaid bone,ivory, and ebony (base); carved and cut ivory, carved wood, carved jade, carved amber, cloisonné enamel, glazed porcelain; H x diam. (a): 56.5 x 33 cm (22 1/4 x 13 in.) H x diam. (b): 6.5 x 33 cm (2 9/16 x 13 in.); Gift of Thomas F. Ryan; 1916-26-1-a/jj
This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Hewitt Sisters Collect.
