It is no secret that I adore our feathered friends. I am obviously not alone as the bird has been a popular subject for the artist over the centuries, appearing in a variety of forms, mostly based on the exotic colourful varieties. The bird with its delicious plumes designed clearly for display is not only pleasing to the eye but the feather is without doubt an evolutionary masterpiece, cleverly engineered and modified over time to enable the bird (well in most cases) to take to the skies. I have to say that my favourite is the black bird.
Anyone that is involved in the antiques trade will know the importance of being early at any trade event. Eye bags aside there is a definite perk involved in the far too early stumble out of the bed; my spring time encounter with the black bird that sits on my neighbour’s chimney pot and thereby securing the greatest height for his serenade. The tune is hauntingly beautiful, full of emotion and clearly sung from his heart to his lady love or just announcing the break of another day? Either way he is a joy and I wish I could just linger a little longer just quietly tuning into his world. Sadly I always have to make a dash if I am to truffle out any treasure, hopefully yet another bird adorned textile!
