Saturday, March 12, 2011

Antique bird cages


Collecting Antique Bird Cages



In addition to our retail store in Old Greenwich, we also have a few booths in an Antique Showrooms in Stamford, CT, at Hiden Gallerie. If you have been in our store, or our booths, you know we love antique birdhouses! Today, we sold one of our favorite, a 4 story vintage indoor cage... its sad to see our favorites go, but also exciting to imagine their new homes! We hope the new tenants enjoy it as much as we did.


We only had this one for a few weeks, it was almost 5 feet tall! Take a look:



Antique bird cages are a beautiful addition to any home. Birds have been kept as house pets since the early days of modern civilization. Often symbols of status, their cages were celebrated in the same manner. Here are some tips on how to collect antique bird cages, and some cages we love.

  1. Try looking at online auction sites. Online auction sites have created an entire market for items otherwise relegated to the yard sale. Not only will you find the biggest collection antique bird cages on those sites, but because of the supply, the deals will be the best as well. Always be sure to buy from someone who has a high seller rating, and stands behind their merchandise. If possible, call and talk to the dealer or email your questions and get as many details and pictures as possible.

  2. Visit antique shows. These are specific to your location of the country, but there are great websites that track where the antique shows will be every weekend. Search for sites that cover your area and go check them out. It's a great place to bargain with the owners and meet them face to face and learn more about what to look for.

  3. Advertise that you love to collect Antique Bird Cages. So many people just want to get rid of "stuff" they might not know, or might not care about what they have. Place ads on community sites and/or tell people what you are looking for; you'd be surprised how many will come to you.

  4. Hit the yard and estate sales. Part of the fun of collecting is the hunt for the item. At yard and estate sales, you will certainly be on a hunt. Let us know what you find!



This is a gorgeous restored antique victorian birdcage with have decorated for Spring in the shop right now:

Please email us for more details on this cage if you are interested. It is truly stunning. abigailfoxdesigns@gmail.com
or come and take a look!! 


Here are some beautiful Birdcages I love from 1st dibs:


Victorian Bird Cage

Victorian Bird Cage
France
mid 19th century
Magnificent seven-foot high custom carved French Victorian bird cage. Cathedral shape with turrets, balconies and center dome topped with a clock tower and small carved statue. An architectural wonder with carved swings, feeding cups and sections that can be closed off for different birds. All raised on a matching stand with intricately carved twisted spindles and hanging tassels. Signed: Jean Bertiau.

Price
$18,500
Superb Tramp Art Bird Cage House Shaped on Stand & Published
Superb Tramp Art Bird Cage House Shaped on Stand & Published
USA - Midwest
1900 - 1910
Monumental finely detailed tramp art bird cage in the shape of a house on its original stand. The bird cage is in one piece & it can be displayed seperately without the stand. Very rare form this superbly executed bird cage has four bottom compartments & a little 'house' on its peak. It has tin liners in each compartment bottom & has mounted glass feeders. The cage's spokes are metal & there are doors on the outside of each compartment to access the interior. Decorated with roundels & saucer shapes each compartment has a wooden 'branch' for the bird to stand. Sturdy & well built with precise chip carvings. This outstanding folk art / tramp art example was also published in "Tramp Art Another Notch, Folk Art from the Heart" on page 120.

Price
$3,800

19th Century French birdcage


19th Century French birdcage
France
c.1890
Birds certainly once inhabited this wonderful French birdcage but it would also be lovely with plants and could add interest to any casual room. There are six food dishes in an ocher color with bands of pressed zinc decorating the top and bottom and several other decorative touches in painted tole and curved wire.
Price
$1,750
Chateau Bird Cage


Chateau Bird Cage
France
19th C
Unique 19th C Iron & Wood Bird Cage designed as a chateau
Price
$2,860
Handmade French Chateau Birdcage
Handmade French Chateau Birdcage
France
c.1900
A delightful handmade Parisian Metal Birdcage in the form of a chateau.

Price
$2,800


Birdcage, large, French, weathered wood and chicken wire

Birdcage, large, French, weathered wood and chicken wire
France
early 20th c.
Birdcage, large, French, weathered wood and chicken wire.

Price
$3,600

Large Architectural Bird Cage with Later Custom Base

Large Architectural Bird Cage with Later Custom Base
USA
Early 20th C
Great looking large bird cage made to look like a Georgian Mansion with little faux painted bricks --this comes with a later made custom English style base overall height is 67"

Price
$5,500
Whimsical Swiss Antique Folk Art Model of a Chateau
Whimsical Swiss Antique Folk Art Model of a Chateau
Switzerland
1920
Impressive, Whimsical Swiss Antique Folk Art Model of a Chateau made with reticulated wood, wire mesh, and colored glass panels. A beautiful accent or conversation piece.

Price
$2,450

4 comments:

  1. antique bird cage i like your way to represent these cages i love birds and i also care for them i like to keep birds in my eyes i love them to be mine and also i like for them beautiful cages i would like to appreciate you on this

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have one that belongs in a museum, Polish wood..

    ReplyDelete
  3. Maybe you know more, I can privately send you a photo....

    ReplyDelete