Silver Dipper

This is a silver-plated gourd in a peach shape. Stem and leaf motives are attached to the cut-in-half peach-shaped body, and a loop is attached to the end of the stalk. A gourd refers to a small ladle-like container made by cutting a bottle or spherical gourd in two. It was used as a portable water or liquor cup, and often made in a peach shape since peach implies a symbol of perpetual youth.