Lot # 23 - Antique Chinese Etched Gourd Cricket Cages

Opening Bid : $ 5.00
Pickup Instructions: Pick-up will be 10:00AM-4:00PM on FRIDAY 3 October 2025 and SUNDAY, 5 October 2025
Start Date/Time: 24-Sep-2025 7:00:00 AM
End Date/Time: 01-Oct-2025 6:24:00 PM
Current bid:

$92.00

Highest bidder:

MKSTU

Auction has ended

Description :

Antique Chinese Etched Gourd Cricket Cages 

A trio of antique Chinese containers crafted from natural dried gourds, traditionally used as cricket cages. Each gourd is fitted with wooden rims and bases and topped with pierced carved bone finials providing ventilation.

Decoration:

  • One gourd is painted with robed figures in procession, including musicians.

  • The other is etched with line-drawn robed figures and ornamental borders.



  • Third is etched with people and structures

Materials: Dried gourd, wood, and carved bone (not tested for ivory).

Form: Spherical bodies with wide openings, inset removable finials, and flat wooden bases.


Cultural / Collecting Note:

Cricket keeping has a long tradition in Chinese culture, with gourds often used as winter cages due to their insulating qualities. The carved bone tops provided ventilation while the gourd body maintained a stable environment. In addition to their practical function, decorated cricket cages such as these were valued as scholar’s objects, symbolizing refinement and auspicious fortune.


Dimensions : 3.5 in W x 3.5 in H

Auction History

Highest bidder is MKSTU

Date Bid User
01-Oct-2025 6:19:41 PM $92.00 MKSTU
01-Oct-2025 6:19:41 PM $91.00 DAF2673
01-Oct-2025 6:19:25 PM $82.00 MKSTU
01-Oct-2025 6:19:25 PM $81.00 DAF2673
01-Oct-2025 6:19:08 PM $77.00 MKSTU
01-Oct-2025 6:19:08 PM $76.00 DAF2673
29-Sep-2025 10:08:27 AM $52.00 MKSTU
29-Sep-2025 10:06:47 AM $51.00 Alwayshopping
29-Sep-2025 10:04:21 AM $38.00 MKSTU
25-Sep-2025 8:51:05 PM $26.00 Alwayshopping
25-Sep-2025 10:21:56 AM $22.00 MKSTU
24-Sep-2025 7:21:42 AM $5.00 Alwayshopping

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