Posted 12 years ago
Stephanie
(12 items)
I wasn't sure what catagory to put this in, I don't think it is an antique. I love Oriental things and purchased this at a garage sale. It seems to be a potpouri holder made from some sort of fruit. It is about the size of a grapefruit and inside actually looks white, like the inside of a grapefruit peel. The little white top is a very hard plastic, I think. I don't think it has a great value but am amazed at the amount of time consuming art work on it, let alone getting it hollowed out, almost makes me think of American tramp art. There are no identifying marks of any kind. Anyone have any ideas where it came from? Thank you.
Hi Stephanie
What you have here is a Japanese Cricket Cage. The Japanese thought that crickets were good luck and the more they sang, the more luck the person who held the cage would have. Because the crickets were is a small cavenous space, when they rubbed their legs together creating the singing sound, the noise was amplified
Dean
That is so interesting, thank you for commenting! I have heard the term "cricket cage" before.... certainly never expected to own one. Someone must have loved their cricket to have put this much work into it's home. Is this a newer item, do you know approx. age? Thanks again. Have a great day.
Hi Steph
By the designs which have been scratched into the exterior (sgraffito) and the items overall patina, I would estimate it at possibly being mide 18th to early 19th century.
Dean
That is just amazing, you're saying 1750- early 1800's! Our tiny town wasn't even discovered yet, I can't help but wonder the story this could tell, how in the world it ended up here. As I recall their were items in the garage sale that indicated the owner may have been in WWII, so possibly something he picked up during that time. The age of this just amazes me. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge.
HI Steph
This is an educated guess due to the patina and the very naive nature of the engravings. It could possibly be a Victorian reproduction but very hard to tell.
You are more than welcome for the help as it gives me great pleasure
Dean
Thank you. Enjoy the day!