Cricket Cage

There are traces of vertical mould marks on the plain body of the gourd. A simple rounded ivory ring decorates the mouth of the gourd. Five small chicks surround a larger rooster at the center of the ivory lid.The surface beneath the chicks and rooster is reticulated in a circular geometric design. The eyes of the ivory chicks and rooster are inlaid with an orange-colored material.

a=gourd; b=ivory lid; c= silk pouch decorated with shou characters in gold on blue lined in green silk with drawstring.

Historical period(s)
Qing dynasty, 19th century
Medium
Gourd, ivory
Dimensions
H x W: 17.1 x 7.1 cm (6 3/4 x 2 13/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1984.38.8a-c
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Container
Type

Cricket cage

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

There are traces of vertical mould marks on the plain body of the gourd. A simple rounded ivory ring decorates the mouth of the gourd. Five small chicks surround a larger rooster at the center of the ivory lid.The surface beneath the chicks and rooster is reticulated in a circular geometric design. The eyes of the ivory chicks and rooster are inlaid with an orange-colored material.

a=gourd; b=ivory lid; c= silk pouch decorated with shou characters in gold on blue lined in green silk with drawstring.

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