Celadon green nephrite snuff bottle of double-gourd form-壺蘆, China, 1780-1860 Well polished and hollowed out, the bottle left undecorated rests on a flat foot. The very wide opening of the flask closes with a glass stopper simulating a branch. Height : 5,8 cm Small wooden base with an openwork design. The neck may be slightly repolished. The double hulu gourd is associated with a large number of good wishes such as abundant progeny, i.e. a hundred hulu baizi threads. The pronunciation of the word "gourd" varies in different parts of China and for some is close to fulu: fu meaning blessing, and lu an official salary, hence an association with good fortune and wealth. The double gourd is also a symbol of longevity or immortality. Many traditional stories mention double gourds from which potions or magical creatures came out. For example, the Taoist Immortal Li Tieguai is depicted carrying his double gourd in which he carried medicine. The double gourd was supposed to be able to absorb all evil vapors, thus protecting those who carried it. 1780-1860-青白玉葫芦形鼻烟壶