A MOULDED HEXAGONAL GOURD QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

of compressed hexagonal form issuing from a twisted vine, each facet moulded with two characters representing the odd-number tones forming the yang musical tones, the dried seeds inside forming a rattle

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 31st October 1995, lot 641.

The overall condition is very good. The molding of the characters is very clear and defined on all sides. The patina is lustrous. The stem is intact.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

There are twelve musical tones, the even-number tones (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12) are collectively known as the yin tones, whereas the odd-number tones (1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11) are known as the yang tones. 

A scholar's 'curio' or 'plaything', the present piece is made from a small single-belly gourd incorporating the stalk although most extant examples have long lost them. Apart from being a 'plaything', these gourds were often fashioned  into water vessels for the scholar's desk. 

A related octagonal gourd, similarly moulded with a poem in seal script, is illustrated in Wang Shixiang, 'Moulded gourds', Gugong Bowuyuan yuankan, 1979, no. 1, translated by Craig Clunas in the Transactions of the Oriental Ceramics Society, no. 10, London, 1981, fig. 13 left; and another, from the collection of Ip Yee, is published in Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss in 'Chinese decorated gourds',  International Asian Antiques Fair, Hong Kong, 1983, p. 55, pl. no. 9. Compare also a gourd moulded with images of 'scholars' objects' and still with its stem as seen on the present piece, included in the exhibition Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, 1986, cat. no. 61.