Fine Molded Gourd Cricket Cage and Ivory Cover
Early 19th century

Gourd is self standing bottle form, decorated with a continuous scene of birds, rocks and insects. Song dynasty calligraphy poem finely molded into one side. The rim is mounted in ivory and elaborately carved pierced tortoiseshell cover with articulated dragon, and dancing insects.

CONDITION:
Fine with no breaks or cracks. Gourd exhibits soft patina from handling. Ivory yellowed from age.

MEASUREMENTS:
Height - 7 in
Ivory Shoulder - 3 in
Base - 3 in

SERIOUS ENQUIRIES ONLY PLEASE.

REMARKS:
Collectors divide gourd cages into two categories: ones made in the palaces of high officials called Guan Muzi (official mold), and those made by commoners. This gourd is in the former category.
Gourds made with pointed bottoms are refered to as "spider-bellied". Those with turns smaller than their bellies are called "kuifan", while gourds with turns larger than their bellies, such as the one shown here, are called "chafan".
The embellishments of Ivory and tortoise shell are diminished to the technique of a well formed gourd.

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