Cricket cage
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Gourd, wood, ivory
Dimensions
H. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm); Diam. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm)
Classification
Cricket cages
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George D. Pratt, 1928
Accession Number
28.186.24
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Asian Art collection of the Metropolitan Museum of, this exquisite cricket cage from China's Qing dynasty (16441911) exemplifies the artistry of 18th–19th craftsmanship. Crafted from a natural gourd, supplemented with wood and ivory, it measures just 3⅛ inches high and 2⅝ inches in diameter—perfectly sized to house a cherished pet cricket. The organic gourd form, often hollowed and polished for durability and translucency, combined with fine wood and ivory elements, highlights the ingenious use of humble materials transformed into functional beauty. In Qing-era China, crickets ...