Bone Birdcage with Cloisonné Waterpots

Perfectly proportioned and delightfully ornate, this fine birdcage was once home to the pet of a Qing-dynasty aristocrat. Dated to the mid-19th century, this square birdcage is carefully assembled of thin wooden rods anchored by a carved bone frame. A band of lacquered wood at the base is painted with a delicate riverside landscape and a large bat adorns the front, a symbol of happiness. The cage includes five cloisonné cups with floral patterns, used for holding water and birdseed. A work of exquisite craftsmanship, this fine birdcage is a wonderful collector's item and a storied sculptural object.