Chippy Painted Bird Cage
Those thrift store adventures continue to inspire me and continue to bring some treasures home with me. I have been a tad more questioning my loves while shopping- because, I love so many treasures that I could bring home enough to probably have my own store. So that means asking myself the triple love rule (you can find that here). So while we have not been bringing home as much -this vintage bird cage treasure? Well, I saw it. I gasped when I took a closer look and loved it. I was not leaving without it. Which, definitely fit the triple love rule.
Vintage Painted Bird Cage
We wandered into the thrift store half expecting to not find a thing. You know thrifting days are like that. Sometimes you need a cart- other times you leave empty handed. This particular shopping day was like any other- but we did change the day up and go a tad earlier in the week. Which might make all the difference.
We have a round of stops and follow the connect the vintage treasure hunt dots when shopping. After a stop at the first stop- where I found a lovely set of plates but had to leave them behind. Why?
Snake skin.
I kid you not. I picked up the plates and felt something rough underneath it and flipped it over and that is when I saw it. I half wondered if it was part of a snake skin at first glance but thought no way- it must be some kind of residue leftover from duct tape to secure the plate for display but upon closer look- I could see the snake skin wound all.the. way. around. the base of the plate. I tipped it up and showed my husband and he was like ‘Interesting. So a snake lived with these plates wherever they were stored.’
Can you almost see the look on my face? The look of what.the….I mean perfect for spooky season I suppose, but I almost dropped the plate and ran for the car. My daughter offered to clean the snakeskin off, but at that point, my fingers felt like they were burning. Okay- an exaggeration but needless to say, I was no longer interested in bringing those plates home.
The good news? They did have a set of the most beautiful vintage floral plates that were just .75 and $1 each – so that satisfied my vintage table setting obsession for the moment. (and yes, they have already been photographed)
Vintage Chippy Goodness
The next stop is a thrift shop that benefits a no kill shelter and the animals. They even have cats that roam the store and adoptable pets available as you shop. I am surprised that we have not brought home 3 dozen kittens and 12 dogs already. My daughter always goes straight to the books in this shop. I go straight to the china and baskets. (surprise) After wandering a few aisles, I rounded the corner where the furniture and pet supplies are and that is where I saw it.
On top of a dresser, next to the lamps and piles of old plastic garden pots- there it was. I turned to my husband and mouthed ‘ohhhhh my’ as I got to it and started pouring over all the details.
It was a tall wooden birdcage wearing a delightful chippy pistachio green paint. The roof was mostly bare wood and accented by a couple of finials.
The door was large, with a string of bells attached to it. It was missing the bottom tray but other than that- was perfection.
We expected it to be quite expensive- the vintage in this particular shop is usually a tad overpriced. When we finally found the tag, I basically picked it up and handed it to my husband. He asked how much it was- I said $25. He said ‘ Are you sure it is not $125?’ I looked again- and it was definitely $25. So, to the front of the store it went.
When we checked out- the store clerk commented that the birdcage just came in and needed some paint and tinkering before it would be pretty again and so, the price reflected that. I shook my head and said ‘it is perfect just as it is.’
Vintage or Well Loved reproduction?
From a search online, it appears a similar one was listed as an antique about 10 years ago- but who knows. I have learned that where I once thought vintage meant like 1960’s or 70’s- it is actually now considered to be 1990’s. Which boggles my mind since that the 90’s are when I graduated high school, got married and had all three of my babies. YSo, I guess I am now an antique. haha.
Where is it going?
Usually I have a few ideas when bringing something larger home- since you can’t just tuck it into a china cabinet for the moment. I have a few ideas of where it might land- and am deciding if I want to keep it in the house or enjoy it in the potting shed or barn as a display piece. Probably both as things shift and move often over here. Just a few quick iPhone snaps today but will properly style, photograph and share where it lands soon.
More vintage coming up
This was The stop that day… until the next one. You see, the next stop had some darling vintage peacock statues, prettiest weathered baskets and something I have seen online for years but have never seen out in the wild- and it has been on the treasure hunt list for awhile now.
sday everyone.
Jan Leonhardt says
Did you dcide to take off the bells? I do like the idea of them. I have a friend who owns a store with mostly vintage items and some antiuqes. she has an old bird cage similar to yours. It’s at the store and her parakeets live in it. it’s so much fun to visit them when i go to the store.I have a pair of birds like yours. I didn’t realize they are peacocks.
i love your blog.
Judy Lee says
This is an amazing Find! 25 dollars.? Unreal! When can I go junking with. You?
Diana says
This is one of those great finds and the price is crazy. Wouldn’t it look good on a porch or the beautiful outside table you have. Maybe the fireplace with twinkle lights at the holidays. Ok I’m stopping now. I can’t wait to see what you do with it.
beryl Johnson says
A thrift store with animals in need of homes wandering around ?
I am so in love – could spend hours there. Please please , where is this ?
Amazingly fun !
Lillian Ponce says
Love the gold peacock, i found the pair at estate sale years ago and STILL have Them
Aussie Jo says
It does look like a nice bird cage, I have never owned birds but many people do at least it isn’t a small cage which I have a problem with birds need room to move
Karen B. says
I love the birdcage. There used to be a place in Anaheim that sold outdoor finch. I’ve always wanted a cage like yours so that I could have a pair of finch singing in the background while in the garden. 😊 Great find.
Karen B.
Judy says
the plates in the picture are gorgeous and would go perfectly in my house!!! but if i encountered a snake skin i would put them down and run too!!!!!