Gold-lacquered wood carvings of crab baskets from the Qing Dynasty

It is crab harvesting season in the northern hemisphere! Check out this pair of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) gold-lacquered wood carvings, each in the shape of a crab basket. Aren’t they intricate masterpieces?

They were architectural components fashioned by local craftsmen in the historic Chaozhou region of Guangdong, a coastal province in southern China. Crab creels were one of the most iconic subject matters of Chaozhou wood carvings.

The carvings depict lively crabs with raised claws distributed both inside and outside the basket, which is surrounded by layers of blooming branches. Below the basket, swirling river waves complete the dynamic scene. The application of gold leaf adds a radiant glow, enhancing the wooden structure’s grandeur. Collection: Guangdong Museum.