Uniquely fabulous and highly unusual item for those seeking something different; this 18th century “cricket holder” from the Qing Dynasty is in the shape of a fish and is made of hand wrought metal, with nice detail and an open woven body which provided air to the cricket. A sophisticated clasp locking mechanism on the underneath of the fish kept the pet cricket contained in the caged holder. Obviously this was intact when someone at some point in time tried to remove whatever was inside by making a hole at the base of the tail to get it out (see image). This hand held cricket cage holder is in very nice and all original condition, save for the small hole; not fragile in any way; sturdy in structure with no repairs.
For over 1000 years the Chinese have used crickets to keep as pets; typically for their “song”, and also for good luck. Sometimes they were used for fighting other crickets for sport, especially in the Imperial court.
There are currently many souvenir and modern day “knock-off” cricket holders.
This is, in fact, an authentic, original, period example.
Dimensions: 4 3/4″ long x 1 1/2″ wide X 2″ high