Cricket Cage in the Shape of God of Longevity (Translation)
葫蘆壽老形蟋蟀罐 (Primary Title)

Unknown (Artist)

19th century
Chinese
Decorative Arts
Woodwork
Gourd, ivory, stone
Overall (a - gourd): 4 7/8 × 2 5/8 in. (12.38 × 6.67 cm)
Overall (b - lid): 1 × 2 1/8 in. (2.54 × 5.4 cm)
2016.448a-b
Gourd cages were formed using a special casting technique: a young seedling was planted in a mold that shaped the gourd as it grew. As a result, the cage retained the bottle-like form of a gourd, but its exterior was smoothed and sculpted through the molding process. This auspicious example depicting the god of longevity (shouxing) features painted details, an ivory collar and rim, and an openwork stone lid.
Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
None
Gift of Alma and Harry H. Coon
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC

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