What on earth is this?

[hosman321]

Ok, I know this is a questions forum for seeking information. So I'm really sorry for posting this. But is this a joke?

http://cgi.ebay.com/FABULOUS-ANTIQUE-HAND-MADE-VICTORIAN-BIRD-CAGE_W0QQitemZ120517694769QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAntiques_Decorative_Arts?hash=item1c0f6a1531

Made out of pipe cleaners? Are they trying to trick some unsuspecting person or did I miss something? It's in the antiques section.

[D&b antiques]

That's nothing short, of ridiculous. that's E-Bay for you.

[waywardangler]

This appears to be made with chenille and not pipe cleaners.  Chenille can be very old so it is possible it is Victorian.  I have used chenille for fly tying so I am familiar with the material.  It would be very easy to reproduce this cage today.  If it is genuine Victorian, I would think the chenille core threads would be fragile and I would expect to see some breakage somewhere on this cage.

[KC]

Waywd...I do believe that you hit the nail on the head when you said it was chenille.  My first impression was pipe cleaners and then when I viewed the final pic it was evident to me it was chenille.

Chenille was a highly prized item...especially among the ladies starting in Victorian to late 50's.

[wendy177]

Chenille was even used to make & embroider purses from dates KC mentioned. So a Victorian bird cage I do think is possible.

[hosman321]

That is just so strange. I thought it was some kind of joke. So it really could be old? I guess I learn something new every day!

[regularjoe2]

Although the pics in the ad were so-so , what struck me was/is how clean the item appeared to be .

You should see how much dust piles up here , in a week or two - & I'm pretty darn clean !

[KC]

If this is truly the chenille and the age we are thinking...I imagine it has been well wrapped and put away!

[wendy177]

plus a hair dryer set on cool & on low will work wonders to remove dust from fluffy chenille.

[Tim]

This belongs on the same list as talesoftheseven's $200 jewelry box............

[talesofthesevenseas]

My guess it that it's a $20 jewelry box with a $180 ghost!