gourd snuff bottle, ago collection

gourds were used for various objects including cricket cages (for fighting matches, popular in daoguang). 

gourd snuff bottles are rare, and early ones bear kangxi reign marks. the bottles were made by growing a gourd inside 2 half clay molds impressed with patterns. once grown, the gourd was left to dry out inside the mold. lengthy drying period meant a process dependent on chance & nature