Bottle in the shape of a double gourd

Bottle in the shape of a double gourd

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The double gourd holds considerable appeal among the Chinese. In addition to its peculiar shape, it is associated with the fantasy world: immortals and legendary figures are believed to use double gourds to carry medicines with magic power. Numerous baby gourds hanging from a single vine, as shown on this bottle, allude to multiple offspring and a continuation of the family line.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Bottle in the shape of a double gourdBottle in the shape of a double gourdBottle in the shape of a double gourdBottle in the shape of a double gourdBottle in the shape of a double gourd

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.