Antique Bird Cage

Using an Antique Bird Cage as Decor

An antique bird cage is one of the loveliest forms of home decor imaginable. While you would seldom use one to hold birds in, especially if it were extremely fragile and / or extremely valuable, nevertheless, it is far from difficult to use it in your decorating scheme, especially if your home leans towards Victorian, French Countryside, or other voluptuous decor. The modernist and the minimalist alike will probably find scant place for an antique bird cage among their home furnishings, unless it were a very simple and clean-cut one, indeed, but then the modernist or the minimalist probably won't be reading this article, anyway, at least not with an eye to applying it to his own decor.

Antique cages are often elaborate and showy, but even so, especially in a house with lots of other decoration, it's easy for them to get lost in the background. To make sure this doesn't happen, give your antique bird cage a place of prominence, somewhere with good lighting. But--and this is especially important--good lighting does NOT mean direct sunlight, which should be avoided at all costs, as it can damage old materials.

Care for your antique bird cage will depend on the material it is made of; if it's brass or another kind of metal, such as iron, a gentle wipe with a dry cloth may be all it ever needs. If it is made of wood, especially if it has paint, then you should consult an antiques expert--your local museum may have someone who will be willing to advise you--for the proper care. Unless specifically recommended by a reliable expert (and be warned, an antiques dealer may or may *not* be an expert at caring for antiques), never ever clean your antique bird cage with water, soap, or, worst of all, chemical cleaners. Regular dusting with a clean, soft cloth should be all your antique bird cage requires to stay clean and in good condition; an antique expert can advise you as to any further care.