Here's a new topic to research: Chinese cricket boxes. As I understand it, crickets are an ancient part of Chinese culture and traditionally were kept in homes for their musical sounds. Of course it followed that the Chinese, revered for their refined aesthetics, crafted exquisite boxes for this practice.Suzanne Rheinstein's alternate use of these old blue-and-white pierced cricket boxes as votives is, to me, quite inspired. They must look magical at night, whether used indoors or on a patio. So maybe this will give you something new to look for the next time you are in an antique shop. I'm definitely going to inquire about them when I find myself in an Asian store. (Click to enlarge and enjoy the details.)
[Image is from Designing Women: Interiors By Leading Style-Makers]
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15 comments:
These totally remind me of my grandma. She told me what they were for as a child and I was flabbergasted that anyone would want a bug for a pet. I'm thinking that votives are a much better use for them.
Jiminy Cricket, makes me want one of those boxes for a fishing adventure. We used to use crickets as bait.
If I were a cricket, one of those silver boxes would be my bait. I can hear the cricket symphony playing...
cricket, cricket...!
Hi Sarah, glad these remind you of your grandmother. I think there are some key scenes in The Last Emperor where, as a child, the emperor plays with a cricket -- I'm still learning about this.
Patricia -- I forgot about Jiminy Cricket when I put this together :)
This is an absolutely fabulous idea! So gorgeous!
Pretty Things -- glad you like this idea!
I remember having little pierced brass ones as a child... but I think using them for votives are a much more clever use for them.
Meg -- do you still have them? I bet they are very elegant.
I must have this book - especially if it contains this image with Le Lac used so beautifully. Swoon.
Patricia -- yes, Margaret Russell did such a good job with this one and the Rheinstein breakfast room/library -- esp. this incarnation -- should be in your collection.
What an inspired idea! Many cricket boxes are all wood however, including the one I own, Now I need to search out a ceramic one...
Ulla --- thanks for letting us know that many are wood, (I think maybe bone too) that's a helpful point.
these boxes are gorgeous ! And I love the chinese aesthetic
What an interesting piece of history. I may borrow a cricket and experiment with this sound in our home one night. The offspring will get a kick out of that. Need to find a cricket box....
Yes, kids would be fascinated by this :)
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