AN IMPRESSED GOURD ‘LANDSCAPE’ CRICKET CAGE BY CHEN JINTANG REPUBLICAN PERIOD, DATED TO 1927

the bulbous body with a waisted neck tapering to a pointed base, impressed with a mountainous landscape with a meandering river, retreat houses, a pavilion, a small bridge all surrounded by mature pine trees and bamboo, the foreground impressed with a scholar clutching his walking staff standing gazing across towards the bridge, the reverse set with second figure fishing from a small skiff in the water, inscribed in running script Dingmao xia liuyue Jintang zuo (‘made by Jintang in the sixth, summer, month of the dingmao year’, corresponding to 1927), followed by a seal Chen, the surface with a golden-brown patina, fitted with an ivory mouthrim, and a slightly domed tortoiseshell cover carved with a fruiting grapevine encircled by an ivory rim

Spink & Son, London, June 1979.

Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, ‘Chinese Decorated Gourds’, International Asian Antiques Fair, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1983, p. 71, no. 31.

This impressed gourd is overall in VREY good condition with only a few age cracks on the ivory rim encircling the reticulated tortoiseshell cover. The actual colour is slightly darker than on the catalogue illustration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Another cricket cage fashioned in gourd in this catalogue, lot 135, bears the signature of Chen Jintang where details of this carver are noted. All recorded works by him appear to be of the highest workmanship and quality, suggesting that he maintained an exceptionally high standard throughout his career.

For examples of gourd cricket cages see one, from the collection of Mary and George Bloch, sold in these rooms, 23rd October 2005, lot 72.