1-234-595 - The Museum of East Asian Art/Heritage Images

Gourd cricket box, Qing dynasty, China, mid 19th century. A carved gourd cricket box with ivory and reticulated tortoise shell cover mounts. The body has been moulded with floral scene in a landscape and is signed 'Chen Jintang'. People still buy crickets in China, believing the chirping will help children to sleep. Crickets, like fighting cocks, are also used for battle, and bets are placed on the outcome.