Originating in Europe during Victorian times, pie funnels were simply hollow ceramic funnels placed in the center of a pie to allow steam to escape during baking. The decorative bird shapes came much later. It is unclear if the reason for bird shapes came from the nursery rhyme “Sing a Song of Sixpence”..... “four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie”.
Pie birds are usually looking up to the sky, and you can sometimes hear the steam escaping from its beak giving the impression the bird is singing. As an added benefit, pie birds act as support for the top crust to prevent sagging. Since the 1940's pie birds have been manufactured in various designs and styles.
Above photo Amazon product available below.
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Yes, that's a good thought. Probably would sell more pies with a bird in it.
candy47, The fruit-themed pie birds are delightfully practical, particularly for bake sales.
I'm glad you like the pie birds Irene. They add a special touch to homemade pies.
Love this! Adds such a nice touch to a homemade pie. Another long-forgotten kitchen gadget that had purpose.
Keep collecting those kitchen gadgets Veronica! Who needs accurate measurements anyway?
I have just returned from the shops and saw some measuring cups which I HAD to buy immediately. American recipes often say cups in easurements, but that is no use to u in GB when we don't know what size a cup is. :)
Ah well another kitchen gadget,
You're welcome Veronica. I'm glad you found a use for it!
Thank you Candy. I have one of those, bought on impulse but I wasn't sure what to do with it.
I love kitchen gadgets too, especially when they're really cute!
I rarely bake a pie (or cake), but I sure love kitchen gadgets.