Cricket Cage

Molded into the surface of this gourd is a design of pine trees and cranes, both traditional symbols of longevity (and a long and happy marriage), in China. An ivory foot and lid enframes both ends of the gourd. A plain ivory rim enframes the reticulated tortoise shell section of the lid. The carved decoration of the raised section of the tortoise shell is based on plum blossoms. A flat layer of tortoise shell is pierced by geometric designs.

a=gourd; b=ivory and wood lid; c= silk pouch with black, yellow, lavender and aqua embroidered trellis design. There is no lining with this pouch.

Historical period(s)
Qing dynasty, 19th century
Medium
Gourd, ivory, tortoise shell
Dimensions
H x W: 14.4 x 5.4 cm (5 11/16 x 2 1/8 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1984.38.11a-c
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Container
Type

Cricket cage

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

Molded into the surface of this gourd is a design of pine trees and cranes, both traditional symbols of longevity (and a long and happy marriage), in China. An ivory foot and lid enframes both ends of the gourd. A plain ivory rim enframes the reticulated tortoise shell section of the lid. The carved decoration of the raised section of the tortoise shell is based on plum blossoms. A flat layer of tortoise shell is pierced by geometric designs.

a=gourd; b=ivory and wood lid; c= silk pouch with black, yellow, lavender and aqua embroidered trellis design. There is no lining with this pouch.

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