Chinese cricket cages, also known as "singing cricket cages," have a long history in Chinese culture. They date back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and have been popular in China for over a thousand years. Cricket fighting was a popular pastime among the Chinese nobility and these cages were used to keep and raise crickets for fighting.

The cages were typically made of bamboo or wood and were designed to mimic the natural habitat of the crickets, with layers of soil and small plants. The cages were also decorated with intricate carvings and designs.

Cricket fighting was not just a hobby but also believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the owner. The practice of keeping crickets in cages was popular among the upper class, and the cages were considered status symbols.

In addition to cricket fighting, the singing of crickets was also highly valued and appreciated more...

83 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

20th century cricket cage gourd type body, wooden rim and…

Gourd Cricket Cage with Wooden Rim and Tortoise Shell Lid

20th century cricket cage gourd type body, wooden rim and tortoise shell type lid.

An ivory lidded cricket cage, the base lacquer, Dao Guang mark…

Ivory Cricket Cage with Dao Guang Mark

An ivory lidded cricket cage, the base lacquer, Dao Guang mark to base in later fitted box. Height 6 cm

An Art Deco plastic japanois 'inro' make-up container, the…

Art Deco Japanois Makeup and Scent Container

An Art Deco plastic japanois 'inro' make-up container, the imitation jade and ebony container unscrews in the middle to reveal a mirror and powder puff and cavity for face powder, etc. The decorative glass cage affixed to the top in imitation of an…

A fine Chinese carved nut and ivory cricket cage, of faceted…

Chinese Carved Nut and Ivory Cricket Cage

A fine Chinese carved nut and ivory cricket cage, of faceted form with each face beautifully carved with garden and landscape scenes and auspicious symbols, with an ivory rim surmounted by an intricately pierced foliate and floral carved fitted lid; seal…

A Chinese carved ivory cylindrical cricket cage, incised around…

Erotic Chinese Ivory Cricket Cage with Dragon Top

A Chinese carved ivory cylindrical cricket cage, incised around the body with erotic images, the top pierced with a dragon design, 11.3 cm high

A fine Chinese tortoiseshell cricket cage, circa 1930s/40s, of…

Chinese Tortoiseshell Cricket Cage, 1930s/40s

A fine Chinese tortoiseshell cricket cage, circa 1930s/40s, of cylindrical form with a fitted slightly domed lid with key fret borders, richly pierced and carved with vines and fruit interspersed with articulated long tailed creatures; incised characters…

An unusual horn cricket cage with horn handle, 20 cm long

Horn cricket cage with handle

An unusual horn cricket cage with horn handle, 20 cm long

An unusual cricket cage and cover seal mark of Qianlong, of…

Qianlong hexagonal cricket cage with dragon and bat motifs

An unusual cricket cage and cover seal mark of Qianlong, of slender hexagonal form, the sides pierced with panels of dragons and foliate scrolls between bands of bats in low relief picked out in brown and gilding, reserved on a similated wood grain ground…

A carved and moulded Chinese gourd 'lotus pond' cricket cage,…

Chinese Gourd Cricket Cage with Ivory Top

A carved and moulded Chinese gourd 'lotus pond' cricket cage, Late Qing dynasty to Republic period, fitted with ivory rim and top, the top reticulated with 'gourds and vines' pattern, screw-removable, 8.3 cm long. Provenance: Private collection NSW,…

A Chinese carved ivory, Gourde shape cricket cage late 19th to…

Chinese Ivory Cricket Cage with Floral Carvings

A Chinese carved ivory, Gourde shape cricket cage late 19th to early 20th century. The top grill carved with flowers and pierced work. Length 10 cm; diameter 4.2 cm

Antique Chinese filigree silver cricket box, Signed to base,…

Chinese Silver Filigree Cricket Box, Signed, 110g

Antique Chinese filigree silver cricket box, Signed to base, weight approx 110grams.

A unusual cricket cage and cover, Meiji Period, 1868-1912 with…

Gilt and Enamel Cricket Cage with Ho-Ho Bird and Crane

A unusual cricket cage and cover, Meiji Period, 1868-1912 with overhead handle decorated with ho-ho bird and crane roundels in gilt and enamel. 29 cm high

A Japanese Kutani porcelain cricket cage, the squared box with…

Japanese Kutani Dragon Cricket Cage

A Japanese Kutani porcelain cricket cage, the squared box with patterned mons to two faces and fire breathing dragons amidst clouds to the others, with a recessed lattice weave pierced lid with a bow motif; signed underside. Height 5 cm. Width 7.5 cm.…

A Chinese gourd cricket cage with ivory lid and wooden stand.…

Chinese Gourd Cricket Cage with Ivory Lid and Stand

A Chinese gourd cricket cage with ivory lid and wooden stand. 20th century. 18 cm high

A signed Satsuma cricket cage, probably Showa period, mid 20th…

Gilded Satsuma Cricket Cage with Thousand Flower Design

A signed Satsuma cricket cage, probably Showa period, mid 20th century, mark of Satsuma with shimazu family crest, fashioned as a circular reticulated cage with a conforming cover and cricket finial wrapped in a hammock of fabric decorated with a thousand…

An intricately carved and reticulated tortoiseshell cricket…

Intricate Qing Dynasty Tortoiseshell Cricket Cage

An intricately carved and reticulated tortoiseshell cricket cage Qing dynasty, (3), the cylindrical container finely carved and pierced with numerous butterflies fluttering above a densely entwined gourd vine bearing profuse fruit and foliage, the…

A Chinese cricket cage, gourd base, carved and pierced ivory…

Carved Ivory Chinese Cricket Cage with Gourd Base

A Chinese cricket cage, gourd base, carved and pierced ivory lid. 19th/20th century, 18 cm high

A Chinese cricket cage, gourd base, carved and pierced ivory…

Chinese Ivory Cricket Cage with Gourd Base and Carved Lid

A Chinese cricket cage, gourd base, carved and pierced ivory lid, 19th/20th century, 10 cm high

A Chinese cricket cage, gourd base, carved and pierced ivory…

Carved Ivory Chinese Cricket Cage with Gourd Base

A Chinese cricket cage, gourd base, carved and pierced ivory lid, 19th/20th century, 17 cm high

A Chinese cricket cage, gourd base, carved and pierced wooden…

Carved Chinese Cricket Cage with Gourd Base and Lid

A Chinese cricket cage, gourd base, carved and pierced wooden lid, 19th/20th century, 15 cm high

Bone carved cricket cage having engraved detail, with a lattice…

Engraved Bone Cricket Cage with Sliding Doors and Bowls

Bone carved cricket cage having engraved detail, with a lattice work top, two sliding doors & two carved & engraved bowls. Condition good to fair, one bowl is loose. Dimensions 10.5 x 9.8 x 3.8 cm

A large two story cloisonne cricket cage, with impressed mark…

Antique Cloisonne Cricket Cage with Impressed Mark

A large two story cloisonne cricket cage, with impressed mark to base, the songs from insects has been written about for centuries, a cricket club was established in Shanghai in 1885 for collecting & showing off their specimens, height 23 cm, length 23 cm…

A Chinese cloisonne, cylindrical shaped cricket cage, Republic…

Chinese Republic Period Cloisonne Cricket Cage

A Chinese cloisonne, cylindrical shaped cricket cage, Republic period, height 13.5 cm. Provenance: The collection of a retired airline executive

A Chinese cloisonne cricket cage in the shape of a peach,…

Republic Period Chinese Cloisonne Peach Cricket Cage

A Chinese cloisonne cricket cage in the shape of a peach, Republic period, height 8 cm. Provenance: The collection of a retired airline executive

A Chinese cloisonne & enamel cricket cage, a domed roof above…

Chinese Cloisonné Cricket Cage, Republic Period

A Chinese cloisonne & enamel cricket cage, a domed roof above the square base, Republic period, height 14 cm. Provenance: The collection of a retired airline executive

Three Chinese monochrome glass snuff bottles, 5.8 cm, 6.2 cm, 6.…

Chinese Monochrome Glass Snuff Bottles (Set of 3)

Three Chinese monochrome glass snuff bottles, 5.8 cm, 6.2 cm, 6.8 cm high (3). Provenance: Singapore private collection. The rare shape of the blue bottle is a model of the cricket cages much in use during the second half of the Qing dynasty to house the…

A rare Chinese oval shaped Baitong cricket box with glass front…

Chinese Baitong Cricket Box with Glass Front and Lid

A rare Chinese oval shaped Baitong cricket box with glass front and lattice and wire-work pattern lid, 19th/20th century, the interior divided by glass - made for two crickets. Provenance: The collection of a retired airline executive, height 7 cm, length…

A rare Chinese elongated oval shaped deep Baitong cricket box…

Chinese Baitong Cricket Box with Lattice and Glass Lid

A rare Chinese elongated oval shaped deep Baitong cricket box with lattice and glass lid, 19th/20th century, the front double gourd and peach shaped windows. Provenance: The collection of a retired airline executive. Height 8 cm, length 14 cm

A Chinese oval shaped Baitong deep cricket box with open…

Chinese Baitong Cricket Box with Lattice Lid and Peach Windows

A Chinese oval shaped Baitong deep cricket box with open lattice pattern lid, 19th/20th century, peach shaped front windows. Provenance: The collection of a retired airline executive, height 7 cm, length 10 cm

A rare Chinese Baitong deep cricket box, the elliptical shaped…

Chinese Baitong Cricket Box with Carvings

A rare Chinese Baitong deep cricket box, the elliptical shaped flat with front window, 19th/20th century, a carving on lid and reverse on curved shape. Provenance: The collection of a retired airline executive, height 6.5 cm, length 7.5 cm

A 19th century Chinese cricket cage C. 1875, the top and base…

Chinese Cloisonne Cricket Cage with Dragons

A 19th century Chinese cricket cage C. 1875, the top and base in copper and brass with connecting copper spokes, surmounted with a small cloisonne dome and three small rampant dragons, height 12.5 cm

Fine Japanese wooden cricket cage, with curved top, bar sides,…

Japanese Wooden Cricket Cage with Curved Top and Bar Sides

Fine Japanese wooden cricket cage, with curved top, bar sides, sliding opening, length 6 cm Ex Judith Rutherford

A Chinese cricket cage, the moulded form with a Swirling dragon,…

Dragon Cricket Cage

A Chinese cricket cage, the moulded form with a Swirling dragon, a turned lid & bone Air Holes, length 14 cm

Chinese silver 900 standard cricket cage with a jade insert to…

Chinese Silver Cricket Cage with Jade Insert and Floral Detail

Chinese silver 900 standard cricket cage with a jade insert to the cover, having fine pierced flral detail with Chinese character medallions, each panel flanked with grape vine motifs, one with a rat, height 10.4 cm, weight not including lid 63g

A translucent agate snuff bottle, 19-20th century, Carved with…

Agate Snuff Bottle with Carved Cricket and Coral Stopper

A translucent agate snuff bottle, 19-20th century, Carved with a cricket holding a cricket cage, coral stopper, 6 cm high

Antique Chinese carved ivory cricket cage, intricately carved…

Intricately Carved Chinese Ivory Cricket Cage

Antique Chinese carved ivory cricket cage, intricately carved pierced decoration, (some small losses.) Ex: Sydney private collection. Height 7.5 cm

Chinese silver & enamel cricket box enamel decoration of a deer…

Enamel Deer Cricket Box

Chinese silver & enamel cricket box enamel decoration of a deer in forest, to lid and sides, on pierced silver lidded box, marked with characters to base, height 4 cm, diameter 4.5 cm approx) Weight 54 grams

A Chinese cricket cage, of a gourd with ivory ringed mouth and…

Ivory-ringed Chinese cricket cage with butterfly and flower design

A Chinese cricket cage, of a gourd with ivory ringed mouth and cover pierced with butterflies and flowers, height 12 cm (excluding associated stand)

Chinese cricket cage, with a bulbous gourd base decorated…

Phoenix Decorated Chinese Cricket Cage

Chinese cricket cage, with a bulbous gourd base decorated continuously with phoenix, with a carved and pierced wooden lid, length 20 cm

A 19th century Chinese cricket cage, made of a small gourd with…

Ivory and Tortoiseshell Chinese Cricket Cage

A 19th century Chinese cricket cage, made of a small gourd with ivory ring collar and cover with inset pierced tortoiseshell grill carved with floral designs, height 10.5 cm.

Chinese late Qing Dynasty cricket cage, with carved and pierced…

Late Qing Dynasty Carved Cricket Cage with Gourd Body

Chinese late Qing Dynasty cricket cage, with carved and pierced cover, above a gourd body with wood mounts, height 9.5 cm

A good Chinese cricket cage, gourd base carved and pierced…

Chinese Cricket Cage with Carved Gourd Base and Wooden Lid

A good Chinese cricket cage, gourd base carved and pierced wooden lid, 19th/20th century, 15 cm high. Ex Mossgreen Auctions

Ivory and gourd cricket cage Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) moulded…

Qing Dynasty Ivory and Gourd Cricket Cage with Lion Reticulation

Ivory and gourd cricket cage Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) moulded of tapering hexagonal form, featuring floral arrangements in vases interspersed by inscription, surmounted by an ivory double-tiered rim with pierced tortoise shell cover, worked in…

Ivory and gourd cricket cage Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 17th…

Ivory and Gourd Cricket Cage with Chrysanthemum Decoration

Ivory and gourd cricket cage Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 17th century moulded of double-gourd form with waisted body, decorated with sprays of chrysanthemums, surmounted by an ivory double-tiered rim with pierced tortoise shell cover, worked in reticulation…

Mid century Chinese cloisonne cricket cage approx dimensions 9.…

Mid Century Chinese Cloisonne Cricket Cage

Mid century Chinese cloisonne cricket cage approx dimensions 9.5 mm x 14 mm x 14 mm

Carved ivory cricket cage with rose decoration

Ivory Cricket Cage with Rose Carvings

Carved ivory cricket cage with rose decoration

A Chinese ivory cricket cage, pierced and carved body with…

Chinese Ivory Cricket Cage with Carved Body and Lid

A Chinese ivory cricket cage, pierced and carved body with matching carving to lid, height 15 cm.

Chinese Qing Dynasty porcelain cricket cage, of oval form, with…

Qing Dynasty Porcelain Cricket Cage

Chinese Qing Dynasty porcelain cricket cage, of oval form, with pierced cover, decorated with flowers and figures, in famille vert tones, length 11 cm. Provenance: collection of Genevieve Cummins, Published: Genevieve Cummins, antique boxes: inside and…

A Chinese carved biscuit porcelain cricket cage, Qing Dynasty…

Qing Dynasty Carved Porcelain Cricket Cage

A Chinese carved biscuit porcelain cricket cage, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), 19th century, the cylindrical covered box with four holes pierced into the top, and decorated in carved applique with a flowering orchid, plum blossom and butterflies. Provenance:…

An antique Chinese cricket cage box, sumptuously carved…

Qing Dynasty Tortoiseshell Cricket Cage Box

An antique Chinese cricket cage box, sumptuously carved tortoiseshell, Qing Dynasty, 19th century, 5 cm high, 10 cm wide, 8 cm deep

Chinese cloisonne cricket cage with butterfly and floral…

Chinese Cloisonne Cricket Cage with Butterfly & Floral Decoration

Chinese cloisonne cricket cage with butterfly and floral decoration, height 13 cm

Two Chinese cloisonne cricket cages with butterfly and floral…

Chinese Cloisonne Cricket Cages with Butterfly and Floral Decoration

Two Chinese cloisonne cricket cages with butterfly and floral decoration, height 13 cm.

Antique Chinese silver cricket box marked to the reverse.…

Antique Chinese Silver Cricket Box, Marked, 23g, 44x30mm

Antique Chinese silver cricket box marked to the reverse. Approx size 44 x 30 mm, weight 23 grams

Chinese timber cricket cage length 9 cm

9cm Chinese Timber Cricket Cage

Chinese timber cricket cage length 9 cm

An antique Chinese cricket cage, carved and turned bone, 19th…

19th Century Chinese Carved Bone Cricket Cage

An antique Chinese cricket cage, carved and turned bone, 19th century, 7.5 cm wide

An antique ivory cricket cage, height 7.5 cm

Ivory Cricket Cage - Antique Treasure

An antique ivory cricket cage, height 7.5 cm

Spherical Tibetan silver cricket cage. 120 mm high 90 mm…

Tibetan Silver Cricket Cage: Elegant Spherical Design

Spherical Tibetan silver cricket cage. 120 mm high 90 mm diameter

Two tiered brass & cloisonne enamel cricket cage blue, red,…

Brass & Cloisonne Enamel Cricket Cage - Two Tiered

Two tiered brass & cloisonne enamel cricket cage blue, red, green & white cloisonne, 20 cm wide, 8 cm deep, 21 cm h. Top cage 6.5 x 4 x 9 cm

Chinese brass cricket cage decorated with crickets, dual window…

Brass cricket cage with dual compartments and glass partition

Chinese brass cricket cage decorated with crickets, dual window with glass partition between compartments

Faux tortoiseshell cricket cage 6.7 cm diameter, 6.9 cm high

Tortoiseshell Cricket Cage - 6.7cm Diameter

Faux tortoiseshell cricket cage 6.7 cm diameter, 6.9 cm high

Circular wooden cricket cage slim circular wooden cricket cage…

Small Wooden Cricket Cage

Circular wooden cricket cage slim circular wooden cricket cage 2 1/2 x 1 inch

'Three Chinese bamboo cricket Cages Large:11.5 cm wide, 5 cm x…

Set of Three Chinese Bamboo Cricket Cages

'Three Chinese bamboo cricket Cages Large:11.5 cm wide, 5 cm x 12 cm h overall. Top 7.5 x 3.5 x 6 cm, medium: 12 cm wide, 4 cm deep, 7 cm high. Small: 7 cm wide, 3.5 cm deep, 6.5 cm high

Chinese oval hand painted porcelain cricket cage. 12 cm wide, 7…

Hand-painted Chinese Porcelain Cricket Cage

Chinese oval hand painted porcelain cricket cage. 12 cm wide, 7 cm deep, 4.3 cm high

Two Chinese gourd cricket cages

Chinese Gourd Cricket Cages: Unique Collectibles

Two Chinese gourd cricket cages

Chinese horn cricket cage with Perforated horn lid, 3.9 cm…

Chinese Horn Cricket Cage with Perforated Lid

Chinese horn cricket cage with Perforated horn lid, 3.9 cm diameter x 9.3 cm long

Chinese leaf shaped porcelain cricket cage hand painted, 13 cm…

Hand-painted Chinese porcelain cricket cage in leaf shape

Chinese leaf shaped porcelain cricket cage hand painted, 13 cm wide, 7 cm deep, 4.5 cm high

Chinese pale green jade cricket cage 9 cm high, 6 cm diameter

Green Jade Cricket Cage - 9cm x 6cm

Chinese pale green jade cricket cage 9 cm high, 6 cm diameter

Small circular ivory cricket cage 4 cm diameter, 2.8 cm high.

Tiny Ivory Cricket Cage

Small circular ivory cricket cage 4 cm diameter, 2.8 cm high.

Pair stag antler cricket cages in wood stand. Indian made stand…

Stag Antler Cricket Cages on Wooden Stand

Pair stag antler cricket cages in wood stand. Indian made stand 9.1 cm x 7 cm x 8.8 cm high, Cages 3.2 cm diameter, 10.7 cm high

Chinese silver cricket cage 12 cm high, 8.5 cm diameter

Chinese Silver Cricket Cage - 12cm High

Chinese silver cricket cage 12 cm high, 8.5 cm diameter

Chinese cloisonne cricket cage, with two Levels

Double-decker Cloisonne Cricket Cage

Chinese cloisonne cricket cage, with two Levels

Two Chinese gourd cricket cages together with horn cage

Chinese Gourd and Horn Cricket Cages

Two Chinese gourd cricket cages together with horn cage

Chinese spherical wooden cricket cage, 8 cm high, 8.5 cm…

Chinese Wooden Cricket Cage

Chinese spherical wooden cricket cage, 8 cm high, 8.5 cm diameter

Tortoiseshell cricket cage, height 7 cm

Tortoiseshell Cricket Cage - 7cm Height

Tortoiseshell cricket cage, height 7 cm

Chinese gourd form cricket cage

Chinese Gourd Cricket Cage

Chinese gourd form cricket cage

Bronze chest cricket cage hinged lid & clasp 13 cm wide x 9 cm…

Bronze Cricket Cage with Hinged Lid and Clasp

Bronze chest cricket cage hinged lid & clasp 13 cm wide x 9 cm deep x 16.5 cm high.

Papier mache cricket cage 7.5 cm w x 5 cm d x 7.4 cm h.,…

Perspex-windowed Papier Mache Cricket Cage with Bamboo Door

Papier mache cricket cage 7.5 cm w x 5 cm d x 7.4 cm h., perspex windows, bamboo door

Antique Japanese cricket cage 13.5 cm x 13 cm

Antique Japanese Cricket Cage - 13.5 x 13 cm

Antique Japanese cricket cage 13.5 cm x 13 cm

Two vintage Chinese tin cricket cages both with glass windows,…

Vintage Chinese Tin Cricket Cages with Glass Windows

Two vintage Chinese tin cricket cages both with glass windows, the large with twin compartments

A Chinese well carved cylindrical cricket cage with dragon…

Dragon Carved Cricket Cage

A Chinese well carved cylindrical cricket cage with dragon detail, height 16 cm

Two Tibetan enamelled cricket cages 13 cm high

Enamelled Tibetan Cricket Cages (13cm)

Two Tibetan enamelled cricket cages 13 cm high

Three Chinese items a carved wooden cricket cage, 8 cm. A small…

Chinese Carvings: Cricket Cage, Ivory Panel, and Quanyin Sculpture

Three Chinese items a carved wooden cricket cage, 8 cm. A small carved ivory panel fragment of a big cat attacking an elephant 5 x 5 cm, and a single section carving worked in fine detail to show seated quanyin with child and a fish. Perhaps 18th century.…

An antique Chinese silver-finished cricket cage pendant, 19th…

19th Century Chinese Silver Cricket Cage Pendant, 4 cm High

An antique Chinese silver-finished cricket cage pendant, 19th century, 4 cm high