Antique Original Chinese Oil On Board Painting 3 Men With Crickets 21.5 x 15.25.
Unsure how to date this piece but suspect it's late 1800s or early 1900s. Fantastic painting with fantastic theme in original frame.
Adapted from online sources: For at least 1,000 years, crickets have been kept as pets in China for one of two reasons: for their song or, more commonly, for fighting (and gambling). Cricket fighting was a past-time pursued by people of various classes, including wealthy merchants and the social elite. Affluent cricket-keeping enthusiasts commissioned very high quality cages and implements.
Cricket keeping began in Tang Dynasty (618-906 CE) even though the crickets influence on Chinese culture began much earlier. In this period, people began to keep crickets in cages to enjoy their song. This continued throughout the Tang dynasty and into the Song Dynasty (960-1278 CE) when cricket fighting became popularized. Because of the interest of the emperors of these two dynasties, the cages that crickets were kept in was elevated to an art form.
Since the time of the Tang Dynasty crickets have been sought after by the Chinese people for their song and the sport of cricket fighting. Not to worry, the crickets are rarely hurt in this event. The matches are decided by a judge who awards points for superior combat. Today in China crickets are bought and sold at markets to collect as pets, to fight, and for food.
Measures 21 5/8" x 15 1/4".
Visible image measures 19 1/4" x 13 1/2".