The History Of The Glass Menagerie

Animals have inspired art since the Stone Age. In prehistoric times, pictures of animals probably expressed religious ideas, and featured in magical rites to promote fertility or ensure good hunting within the context of cult and myths. Figures in glass, representing a wide variety of animals, also date back to early times. Ancient Egyptian art, for example, featured crocodiles. Animals like pigs and fish also decorated antique balsamaries and unguentariums. This article looks at the changing attitudes to art and nature.