Shen has loved collecting vessels of various shapes since she was a child. She collected them from craftsman's stores in Kyoto, Japan and Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province, a place that is famous for its porcelain. She collected them from flea markets and street side stalls. They are not necessarily expensive or exquisite, but she loves the texture and shape.

Gourds are auspicious in Chinese culture as the Chinese pronunciation sounds like good fortune. Shen chose gourds in various shapes and placed them before a straw-braid tea mat. It looks as if a brood of chicks has gathered before a fence.

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Instagram: shenxiaobao

Weibo: @沈棉被