Cricket Bed with Dragons and Lotus Designs (Translation)
五彩雙龍戲珠蓮荷紋蟋蟀過笼 清晚期 (Primary Title)

Unknown (Artist)

19th century
Chinese
Porcelain with painted and gilt enamels
1 5/8" H" H x 3 1/4" D (4.13 cm. H" H x 8.26 cm. D)
2003.101a-b
As early as the Tang dynasty (618-907), crickets were kept as pets by China’s imperial families, court officials, and commoners, enamored with the tiny insects’ singing and fighting abilities. Centuries later as the pastime became more popular, demand increased for cricket cages, “beds,” feeding vessels, and other accessories, examples of which are included in this group. Enclosures, in particular those made from gourds, were quite fashionable and produced in unique shapes with ivory, porcelain, and enamel components.
Qing dynasty (1644-1911)
Unsigned
None
None
Gift of John C. Maxwell, Jr. and Adrienne L. Maxwell
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC

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