20th Century, Chinese Carved Bamboo Bird Cage

Description

This handmade, vintage bamboo birdcage has scenic landscapes and dragons carved all around the base, perch, on the perch holders … more This handmade, vintage bamboo birdcage has scenic landscapes and dragons carved all around the base, perch, on the perch holders and on the sliding door. It has an elegantly carved wooden hanger and a brass, swivel hook at the top.
Underneath the base of the birdcage seems to be the Craftsman’s motif.
The birdcage seems quite sturdy, with a very high likelihood that it has never housed a bird, as it is in excellent condition—Truly a work of art!
In China, it is common to see elderly people walking their pet birds in bamboo cages—a tradition since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). They swing their cages “to and fro” (called “liu niao”) and this motion forces the birds to balance on its perch, thereby providing exercise. The pet owners would gather in groups, after hanging their cages in the lower branches, allowing their pets to enhance their singing abilities by socializing and imitating other birds.
From the bottom of the cage to the top of the hanger the height is approximately 22 inches. The height of the inside of the cage itself is 17 inches. less