Cricket Cage

The plain body of this gourd reveals no mold marks. An unadorned ivory rim supports the outer edge of the ivory lid. Double layers of tortoise shell decorate the center portion of the lid. The raised upper portion of tortoise shell is formed of flowers and leaves, together with moveable butterflies. Another flat piece of geometrically reticulated tortoise shell is at the base of the interior of the lid.

a=gourd; b=ivory and tortoise shell lid; c= silk pouch with green, yellow, white, red embroidery lined in pale blue silk with drawstring.

Historical period(s)
Qing dynasty, 19th century
Medium
Gourd, ivory, tortoise shell
Dimensions
H x W: 12.7 x 6.5 cm (5 x 2 9/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1984.38.5a-c
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Container
Type

Cricket cage

Keywords
China, cricket, Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), Robert Hatfield Ellsworth collection
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

The plain body of this gourd reveals no mold marks. An unadorned ivory rim supports the outer edge of the ivory lid. Double layers of tortoise shell decorate the center portion of the lid. The raised upper portion of tortoise shell is formed of flowers and leaves, together with moveable butterflies. Another flat piece of geometrically reticulated tortoise shell is at the base of the interior of the lid.

a=gourd; b=ivory and tortoise shell lid; c= silk pouch with green, yellow, white, red embroidery lined in pale blue silk with drawstring.

Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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