Name: 19th Century Chinese Bone Cricket or Powder Holder with Lovely Decoration,c1820
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA408134
Price: 275 GBP
Availability: SoldOut

19th century

Sold by Curious Antiques

Sold 3 March 2025 · Curious Antiques

This “19th Century Chinese Bone Cricket or Powder Holder with Lovely Decoration,c1820” found a buyer.

It was listed by Curious Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Find more for sale

Carved Bone Box Carved Powder Flask Chinese Antique Vessel Ask the dealer for something similar

Description

19th century Chinese bone cricket or powder holder,c1820. It has a carved pierced lid and good decoration to the body, including a child chasing a butterfly. It has aged well with great colour/patina and is in good original condition with minor surface wear.

10cm tall x 5 cm wide .I will happily ship worldwide.

Date of Manufacture

Curious Antiques has dated this Antique Carved Bone Container to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions

Height

10cm (3.94")

Width

5cm (1.97")

Depth

5cm (1.97")

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA408134

Dealers Notes

Curious Antiques specialises in sourcing fine, rare and unusual antiques and curiosities. We are passionate about customer satisfaction and will do all we can to ensure you are happy and in the unlikely event you are not offer a no questions asked returns policy. We accept payment via paypal, bank transfer, cheque and cash.

Description

10cm tall x 5 cm wide .I will happily ship worldwide.

Date of Manufacture

Curious Antiques has dated this Antique Carved Bone Container to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions

Height

10cm (3.94")

Width

5cm (1.97")

Depth

5cm (1.97")

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA408134

About the Dealer

Curious Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since Jun 2015

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Curious Antiques Profile Page

PDF

SAVE

A cylindrical carved bone container with a fitted lid, featuring incised figural artwork showing figures in traditional attire.

1 / 8

Archive I

19th Century Chinese Bone Cricket or Powder Holder with Lovely Decoration,c1820

Archive II

A cylindrical carved bone container with a fitted lid, featuring incised figural artwork showing figures in traditional attire. View II

Archive III

A cylindrical carved bone container with a fitted lid, featuring incised figural artwork showing figures in traditional attire. View III

Archive IV

A cylindrical carved bone container with a fitted lid, featuring incised figural artwork showing figures in traditional attire. View IV

Archive V

A cylindrical carved bone container with a fitted lid, featuring incised figural artwork showing figures in traditional attire. View V

Archive VI

A cylindrical carved bone container with a fitted lid, featuring incised figural artwork showing figures in traditional attire. View VI

Archive VII

A cylindrical carved bone container with a fitted lid, featuring incised figural artwork showing figures in traditional attire. View VII

Archive VIII

A cylindrical carved bone container with a fitted lid, featuring incised figural artwork showing figures in traditional attire. View VIII

Curious Antiques

Telephone 07795 237 189

Location

Curious Antiques
Timeline Antiques Centre
Midland Road
North Walsham
Norfolk
NR28 9JR
United Kingdom

Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/curious

Verified Since Jun 2015

Items For Sale 139

Items Sold 374

Email Curious Antiques

19th Century Chinese Bone Cricket or Powder Holder With Lovely Decoration,c1820

Ref: SA408134

Your Name

Phone (optional)

Email Address

Message

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

Cataloguer’s Note

Sustainable Choice

Frequently Asked Questions

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing

ObjectDecorative Container
Period19th century
StyleQing Dynasty Export
MaterialBone
ColourCream
MotifsIncised figural scenes, Fitted lid, Cylindrical body, Hand-carved detailing
SizeH 10 cm (4 in) x W 5 cm (2 in) x D 5 cm (2 in)

FAQs

Carved bone and ivory containers were frequently produced in 19th-century China for both domestic use and the export market. These vessels often served specific functions such as holding cricket-catching paraphernalia, gunpowder, or personal items, and were intricately decorated with traditional motifs reflecting daily life and folklore.

These items were typically carved from bovine or camel bone, chosen as a readily available and workable alternative to elephant ivory. Artisans utilised techniques such as incising, low-relief carving, and sometimes staining the carved lines with dark pigment to make the detailed imagery stand out.

Authentication relies on examining the materials natural characteristics, such as the presence of Haversian systems (minute microscopic pores and striations visible under magnification) rather than the cross-hatch Schreger lines specific to ivory. Age is indicated by natural yellowing, surface wear, and the shrinkage or mellowing of the material over time.

These small decorative objects work well when displayed on bookshelves, mantelpieces, or within curated cabinet displays alongside modern minimalist decor to create a collected, eclectic aesthetic that highlights historical craftsmanship.

Antique bone should be kept away from direct sunlight, extreme temperature fluctuations, and high humidity, which can cause warping or cracking. Clean only with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth and avoid the use of water, oils, or chemical cleaning agents.