1-234-558 - The Museum of East Asian Art/Heritage Images

Gourd cricket box, Qing dynasty, late 18th-early 19th century. Cricket box of natural waisted form with ivory mountings and reticulated rhino horn cover carved with butterflies and flowers. 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.