Chinese Bird Cage - Early 20th century or late 19th Century | ||
| Unsolved mystery items21423 of 96471 |  |  |
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Posted 7 years ago
ho2cultcha
(5051 items)
There are some carved ivory or bone pieces, four porcelain pieces [not all the same source, i think], two large and four small jade rings, around seven carved wooden pieces, and two cross-sticks carved into dragons, and really nice carved bamboo feet on this probably Republic period bird cage.
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Does this have a door? If not does the cage come off the base?
it has a door and the floor comes off for cleaning. the single taller bamboo strand is what opens the door.
I can't tell you how old it is but I can tell you what I believe it is. I believe it is a ceremonial or ritual cage. Normally associated with Chinese men and often the hua mei bird. The tradition is still done every morning in NYC Chinatown here in the USA. Every morning the old men take their birds in cage to Roosevelt park and keep them covered. The cages are lined up still covered and the old men go to sit on benches. The birds aren't uncovered until they begin to sing and announce the rising sun. Very old tradition and I believe your cage fits. In the years I have been breeding exotic birds I have come across some unusual facts. This morning ritual is both a social event for the men and a means of keeping them occupied so they aren't distracted by gambling, women or drinking.
wow! that's so interesting flhrjr2! a Japanese friend of mine told me that the jade rings are meant to click together and they make a strong sound which makes the birds start singing. they do make a very sharp ring.
I had to look this up so I spelled it right. I believe this is a Guangzhou cage. Ones like this bring a few hundred dollars in the right market. That is cheap when you consider that a hua mei bird with a good song voice brings $1000.oo
thank you for the info flhrjr2. this one is a little better than normal because of the carved bone and all the jade as well as one of the porcelain pieces and some of the wood carvings.
ho2cultcha, you are correct. These cages come in different qualities and are considered a status symbol. Similar to us owning a VW or a Lincoln automobile as a status symbol. Your cage is quite elaborate.
it is very usable though valentino! it would be hard for them to actually destroy anything in it.