Extra large Napoleon III birdcage - 38¼"

This very large Napoleon III birdcage dates from the nineteenth century. It is rare for its size and age. Note that it can either be hung on the wall or sat on a table. The frame has a lovely crackled black and red finish and the roof is zinc.

The crackled paint is known as bituminous or asphalt paint - it is a coating traditionally used on wooden furniture for its protective and aesthetic qualities. Derived from petroleum or natural asphalt, this viscous, black substance provided a water-resistant layer that protected wood from moisture, decay, and insects. It gave furniture a dark, rich finish, popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries.