Cricket box 1867 - 1933

"Cricket box" is a simple, cylindrical box crafted by the Chinese artist Wang Tonghe between 1867 and 1933. The black, undecorated box, made of lacquer, was used for storing crickets, a popular pastime in China. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York holds this small, yet intricately crafted, example of Chinese art, representing the appreciation of nature and craftsmanship in Chinese culture. The box's simple design and functionality exemplify the utilitarian nature of traditional Chinese art, while its small size highlights the attention to detail that was valued in the Qing dynasty.