Birdcage Collection (#3)

Bird cage and flowers, early 19th century. Creator: Shinsai
Bird cage and flowers, early 19th century

Six women seated around a bird cage, Japan, 1823. Creator: Hokusai
Six women seated around a bird cage, Japan, 1823

Three Young Women with Pets, c. 1755. Creator: Torii Kiyohiro
Three Young Women with Pets, c. 1755

Warbler in a cage, from the series "A Series for the Hanazono Group
Warbler in a cage, from the series " A Series for the Hanazono Group (Hanazono bantsuzuki)", 1823

Women Visiting the Bird and Flower Teahouse (Kachojaya), c. 1792 / 93
Women Visiting the Bird and Flower Teahouse (Kachojaya), c. 1792/93

An Animal Hospital (plate 20), 1843. Creator: Charles Emile Jacque
An Animal Hospital (plate 20), 1843

The Bird Catcher, from The Noble Pastoral, Beauvais, 1778 / 80
The Bird Catcher, from The Noble Pastoral, Beauvais, 1778/80. Woven at the Manufacture Royale de Beauvais under the direction of Andre Charlemagne Charron, after a cartoon by Francois Boucher

Teapot (from a tea service), Sevres, 1770. Creators
Teapot (from a tea service), Sevres, 1770

Vase (Vase aoreilles), Sevres, c. 1756. Creators
Vase (Vase a oreilles), Sevres, c. 1756

Perfume Flask in the form of a Book, France, c. 1780. Creator: Unknown
Perfume Flask in the form of a Book, France, c. 1780

A23: Virginia Drawing Room, 1754, United States, c. 1940

A32: Louisiana Bedroom, 1800-50, United States, c. 1940. Creator: Narcissa Niblack Thorne
A32: Louisiana Bedroom, 1800-50, United States, c. 1940

Conservatory Fountain, c. 1938. Creator: Perkins Harnly
Conservatory Fountain, c. 1938

Japanese Bush Warbler, 1754-1806. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
Japanese Bush Warbler, 1754-1806

Group of Three Chinese Men on a Cliff by the Sea, 1789. Creator: Kitao Masayoshi
Group of Three Chinese Men on a Cliff by the Sea, 1789

No. 1: She Will Be A Soldier, May 1, 1798. Creator: Heinrich Schutz
No. 1: She Will Be A Soldier, May 1, 1798

Preparing Food for the Warbler... 1798. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
" Preparing Food for the Warbler, " from the album Mens Stamping Dance (Otoko doka, uguisu no esa suri), 1798

Old Schoolfellows, from "Illustrated London News", July 7, 1855
Old Schoolfellows, from " Illustrated London News", July 7, 1855

Plate 11: a group of people outdoors, from the series of customs and pastimes of the Spanish people, 1850

Residential block elevation for 1 Birdcage Walk, HQ of The Institution of Mechanical
Basil Slade Drawings

A needlework picture of woman in a park with a birdcage (wool)
1765135 A needlework picture of woman in a park with a birdcage (wool) by French School, (18th century); 36x43 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Grandmothers Pets (oil on canvas)
474163 Grandmothers Pets (oil on canvas) by Roosenboom, Albert (1845-75); 46.3x36.2 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; Belgian, out of copyright

The young girl stopped short and dropped her eyes (colour litho)
3627162 The young girl stopped short and dropped her eyes (colour litho) by Avril, Edouard-Henri (Paul) (1849-1928); Private Collection; (add.info.: The young girl stopped short and dropped her eyes)

Interior, Figures Smoking (oil on wood)
3743958 Interior, Figures Smoking (oil on wood) by Horemans, Peter Jacob (1700-76); 30.5x25.7 cm; Nottingham City Museums and Galleries (Nottingham Castle)

Two blue tits in a cage, Christmas greetings card (chromolitho)
6031481 Two blue tits in a cage, Christmas greetings card (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Two blue tits in a cage, Christmas greetings card)

The Newmarket October Meeting, Racing in Wind and Rain (engraving)
1036464 The Newmarket October Meeting, Racing in Wind and Rain (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Newmarket October Meeting, Racing in Wind and Rain)

The Cavaliers Return, 1847 (oil on canvas)
1079324 The Cavaliers Return, 1847 (oil on canvas) by Woodville, Richard Caton (1825-55); 72.4x76.2 cm; Collection of the New-York Historical Society, USA; (add.info.: The Cavaliers Return)

Man with a Violin (oil on panel)
450153 Man with a Violin (oil on panel) by Dou, Gerrit or Gerard (1613-75) (after); 36x27.2 cm; The Holburne Museum, Bath, UK; eHolburne Museum; Dutch, out of copyright

Detail of the animals, from the Arrival of Vasco da Gama in Calicut (tapestry)
488827 Detail of the animals, from the Arrival of Vasco da Gama in Calicut (tapestry) by Flemish School, (16th century); Banco Nacional Ultramarino

Sunday in the Backwoods of Canada (engraving)
665020 Sunday in the Backwoods of Canada (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sunday in the Backwoods of Canada)

Pekingese dog, c. 1930 (colour woodblock print)
425496 Pekingese dog, c.1930 (colour woodblock print) by Koson, Ohara (1877-1945); 33.2x24.1 cm; Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, USA; Arthur M

Comic postcard, Sailor and girlfriend at the seaside Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Cat and empty birdcage - Guess where the Dicky is? Date: 1914

Ightham Mote, Kent - The Chapel Doorway
Ightham Mote, Kent - a medieval moated manor house - The Chapel Doorway. Date: 1902

Man chasing his hat down a muddy street in a high wind. Woman with her bonnet flying, maids stealing food off a platter on a mans head, roadsweepers, etc

Terriers Playing (oil on canvas)
OJ264767 Terriers Playing (oil on canvas) by Armfield, George (c.1808-93); 19x25 cm; Private Collection; eAckermann Johnson; English, out of copyright

Exterior, IMechE Headquarters, 1 Birdcage Walk. Date: circa 1950s

Market Scene (oil on canvas)
SAG186668 Market Scene (oil on canvas) by Bryant, Henry Charles (fl.1860-80); Sheffield Galleries and Museums Trust, UK; eSheffield Galleries and Museums Trust; Photo eMuseums Sheffield; English

An Elderly Couple Eating (panel)
AII85650 An Elderly Couple Eating (panel) by Mieris, Frans van (1635-81); Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Tuscany, Italy; Dutch, out of copyright

Louis XVI tapestry aux Chinoiserie, Aubusson, lat quarter of the 18th century
3033422 Louis XVI tapestry aux Chinoiserie, Aubusson, lat quarter of the 18th century (wool) by Boucher, Francois (1703-70) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Khujista Talking to the Parrot, c. 1580 (gouache with gold paint on paper)
1196913 Khujista Talking to the Parrot, c. 1580 (gouache with gold paint on paper) by Mughal School, (16th century); 8.6x8.5 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; Indian, out of copyright

The Open Window, (oil on canvas)
651078 The Open Window, (oil on canvas) by Frieseke, Frederick Carl (1874-1939); 130.9x102.9 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Open Window. Frederick Carl Frieseke (1874-1939). Oil on canvas

Amusing Baby, (oil on canvas)
651461 Amusing Baby, (oil on canvas) by Zampighi, Eugenio (1859-1944); 55.6x76.1 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Amusing Baby. Eugenio Zampighi (1859-1944). Oil on canvas

Whistling a Happy Tune (oil on canvas)
993955 Whistling a Happy Tune (oil on canvas) by Fraser, Alexander Snr (1786-1865); 20.3x25.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): Seventh night: The parrot addresses Khujasta at
5857398 Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): Seventh night: The parrot addresses Khujasta at the beginning of the seventh night, c.1560 (opaque w/c, ink and gold on paper) by Mughal School

A Seated Woman in an Interior Gazing out of the Window
BAL39608 A Seated Woman in an Interior Gazing out of the Window by Wyck, Thomas (1616-77); Johnny van Haeften Gallery, London, UK; English, out of copyright

The Unfortunate Discovery, from Fashionable Bores, or Coolers in High Life
STC204386 The Unfortunate Discovery, from Fashionable Bores, or Coolers in High Life, by Peter Quiz, published 1824 (hand coloured aquatint) by Egerton

The Letter (oil on canvas)
BOW111859 The Letter (oil on canvas) by Hendriks, Wybrand (1744-1831); 48.3x38.7 cm; Private Collection; Courtesy of Simon Gillespie Studio, London; Dutch, out of copyright

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"The Birdcage: A Timeless Symbol of Freedom and Captivity" Throughout history, the birdcage has served as a powerful symbol, representing both freedom and captivity. In times of war, such as during World War I, carrier pigeons were relied upon to deliver crucial messages from the front lines. British motorcyclists valiantly transported these feathered messengers in their cages, ensuring vital communication amidst chaos. In quieter moments, families found solace in playing cards like "Happy Families, " where Mr Jack Tar the Sailor was depicted alongside other beloved characters. These games brought joy and entertainment while reminding us of the sailors' longing for home beyond their confined naval lives. Artistic masterpieces have also immortalized the birdcage's significance. In William Hogarth's painting "The Graham Children, " a delicate cage hangs prominently in the background - an emblematic reminder that even within familial bliss, restrictions exist. Louis Leopold Boilly's work "The Movings" captures a bustling street scene with people carrying various possessions - including caged birds. This snapshot reflects society's fascination with capturing nature's beauty but raises questions about our responsibility towards these creatures' well-being. Beyond visual arts, performers like Belle Bennett captivated audiences on stage and screen with her talent and charisma. Yet behind her glamorous facade lay societal expectations that often confined women to certain roles or personas – metaphorical gilded cages they had to navigate skillfully. Music too has embraced this motif; Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute" features Papageno trapped inside a magical birdcage until he finds true love – his key to liberation from isolation and despair. Japanese artist So Shizan captured nature's harmony by combining flowers and goldfish in his artwork. The inclusion of fish swimming freely juxtaposed against captive birds reminds us of life’s contrasting experiences – some soaring high while others remain grounded.