The Aviary

The earliest known bird prints date back to the 15th century, when woodblock printing was first introduced to Europe. At the time, bird prints were primarily used for scientific purposes, as they were a way of documenting and studying various bird species. They were therefore highly detailed and as accurate as the illustrator could be. Not all illustrators got to see the birds live and in their natural habitats however, some relying on adventurers to report of bring birds back, so just occasionally misunderstandings and incomplete information lead to an imagined bird was illustrated. As printing technology advanced, bird prints became more accessible to the general public. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, chromolithography made it possible to mass-produce colourful bird prints, often used for educational purposes. As travel became easier and photography developed the popularity of bird prints waxed and waned. That said, in the mid-20th century, bird prints were certainly being used as decorative items. They were used to add a touch of nature to the sleek and minimalistic interiors created by mid-century modern design. Bird prints have remained a popular subject for collectors. 

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Birds (scientific name Aves) inspire the work of The House of Embroidered Paper. Below you can see the photographic sketchbook behind the ongoing 300 Years of Shoes collection that is being made in association with Northampton Museum which houses the largest historic shoe collection in the UK.

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​Please click on each image to enlarge​​​​​

image copyright Stephanie Smart - The House of Embroidered Paper

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