European
Bird on a Perch, late 19th century - early 20th century
Glazed porcelain with brass ring, 17.1 x 14 x 14.6 cm (6 3/4 x 5 1/2 x 5 3/4 in.)
This small bird made of glazed porcelain is blue with a yellow breast. The bird's head is slightly turned up and to the right. He has two red eyes with black pupils and a brown beak. His wing feathers are articulated with a purple glaze. His top tail feathers are green. His two feet grasp a segment of an ivory-colored branch that is delineated by a gold edge. Three toes on each foot are on the front side of the branch and one toe grasps the back side. All toes are detailed with lines and claws. Threaded through the porcelain branch is a brass ring that encircles the bird.
Macknight Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.