Fan-made gourds, also known as mold gourds or fan-p’ao, are gourd crafts that are forced to grow into specific shapes through artificial molds in accordance with human intentions. This technique has a long history and contains profound cultural connotations and artistic value.
The production process of fan-made gourds is quite elaborate. Firstly, young gourds are placed into molds with engraved negative patterns. As the gourds grow, they gradually fill the space in the mold. After the gourds become lignified, they are removed, and the negative patterns on the mold appear as positive patterns on the surface of the gourds. Depending on the type of mold used, fan-made gourds can be classified into three types: clamp molds, plain molds, and patterned molds. Clamp molds are the simplest form, using only two pieces of wood to clamp the gourds, making them grow into a flat shape. Plain molds pursue changes in the overall shape of the gourds, with high requirements for the curvature and length of the contour lines. Patterned molds are the most complex and exquisite, with molds engraved with various patterns of people, flowers, fish and insects, landscapes, and texts. Gourds cultivated through patterned molds can obtain corresponding exquisite patterns and shapes.
