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Object Timeline
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1916 |
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2005 |
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2015 |
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2017 |
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2025 |
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Cricket Cage And Base (Japan)
This is a cricket cage and base. It is dated late 19th century and we acquired it in 1916. Its medium is rattan, bamboo, lacquered wood (base); fiber, paper, silk, feathers (imitation insects). It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.
Cricket cage on stand
Japan, late 19th century
Rattan, bamboo; lacquered wood (stand);
fiber, paper, silk thread, feathers (imitation insects)
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt, 1916-40-3-a,b
There is a longstanding appreciation in Japan and other parts of Asia of singing insects such as cicadas and crickets. The custom of visiting places inhabited by these creatures has been a treasured seasonal pleasure in Japan, like autumn leaf viewing. Various forms of containers, including this ivory cage and this rattan and bamboo cage standing on graceful cabriole legs, are designed to house crickets as pets.
In Italy, the chirping cricket is the symbol of spring. Since the late nineteenth century, the population of Florence has taken part in a celebration called the Festa del Grillo, or Festival of the Cricket, held in the Parco delle Cascine. Children catch crickets and many vendors sell tiny cages, such as these, in which they keep their tiny new pets.
This object was
donated by
Eleanor Garnier Hewitt and Sarah Cooper Hewitt.
It is credited Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
- Fish Trap (Papua New Guinea)
- plaited rattan, sago-palm ribs, cane.
- Transferred from the US Department of Agriculture and Dr. E. W. Brandes,....
- 15.2012.16
- Cricket Cage (Italy)
- wood, metal wire.
- Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
- 1916-40-12
- Cricket Cage (possibly India)
- ivory, silk (cord and tassel).
- Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
- 1916-19-103-a,b
Our curators have highlighted 2 objects that are related to this one.
- Monarch Sanctuary
- partial building façade model, diagram, video.
- Courtesy of Terreform ONE.
- NATURE.020
- Curiosity Cloud, 2015–2019
- installation, specimen display, book.
- Courtesy of mischer'traxler Studio.
- NATURE.001
Its dimensions are
H x W x D: 10.5 x 5.6 x 4.6 cm (4 1/8 x 2 3/16 x 1 13/16 in.)
Cite this object as
Cricket Cage And Base (Japan); rattan, bamboo, lacquered wood (base); fiber, paper, silk, feathers (imitation insects); H x W x D: 10.5 x 5.6 x 4.6 cm (4 1/8 x 2 3/16 x 1 13/16 in.); Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt; 1916-40-3-a,b
This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition The Virtue in Vice.
