A private collection of Chinese cricket cages and related items - a 19th century Chinese gourd cricket cage of moulded hexagonal waisted form, the six sides lightly incised with bamboo, pine & various flowering shrubs, the base panels with 6-character inscription, the ivory mounted tortoiseshell cover carved with two sages playing a board game with attendant, with ivory collar, 5.9ins. (15cms.) high, on associated hardwood stand, 7ins. (17.7cms.) high (overall). Provenance - purchased from Honeychurch Antiques, Hong Kong, 13th December 2004.