Cage Chair (Callinera) c. 1880

This is an example of a wooden ‘Cage Chair,’ or ‘Callinera,’ made by an artist from the Ilocos region of the Philippines. These chairs were used for children too young to be left unattended, and reveal much about cultural values around childhood, caretaking, and safety. The chair’s design incorporates a slatted enclosure, which speaks volumes about the tensions between protection and confinement. We may consider ideas about freedom versus restriction, and who has the right to determine where those lines are drawn. As we consider the chair, what does it bring up for us? Historically, the Philippines has seen much upheaval: it experienced centuries of colonial rule, followed by periods of war and political unrest. These chairs are evidence of the realities of daily life and cultural identity. The “Cage Chair” embodies both the warmth of familial care and the weight of societal constraints, echoing the lived experiences of many.