Antique Chinese Cricket Cage Gourd Ivory

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Antique Chinese Cricket Cage Gourd Ivory

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Sold Date: 04/15/2007
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

Antique Chinese Cricket Cage Gourd Ivory

This cricket cage was purchased in Macau in July 1965 and came from my father's estate. He was a world traveler and avid collector of Chinese and Asian art.

A wonderful example of a Chinese cricket cage that was made from a dried, long-bodied gourd ( Lagenaria vulgaris ) and fitted with an ivory mount to hold the ivory cap. The Chinese have a strong affection for the cricket and a particular love of its song. The cricket is a metaphor for the summer season and for courage as well. Gourds were often used to house and transport the crickets. The warm, caramel brown-tone skin of the gourd has a pleasing contrast against the ivory mount and cap. The feel of the gourd is a bit like fine leather. Often times the young gourd would be placed within a mould that would help shape it during its growth, for which this may have been the case. Open work carving on the cap represents a five-petal blossom in the center that is surrounded by leaves, buds, and a butterfly. It is said that these were many times auspicious symbols thought to bring good luck, health, or wealth to the owner. The condition is extremely fine. A very thin hairline surface crack is visible just below the nipped waist. Viewed with a jeweler's loupe it is more like a line than a crack and may have occurred naturally as the gourd dried. This is a minor imperfection given that the cage most likely comes from the mid-1800s per a notation in my father's inventory logbook. If you have any questions about this piece, please email me prior to bidding. Serious bidders only. Thank you.

The cricket cage, including cap, measures 4-1/2 inches in height and 1-7/8 inches in width. Weight is 2.3 ounces for the body and 0.5 ounce for the cap.