a real stumper (budda type rattle)

If it is strong but light weight, I would lean toward some type of paper mache, known as huzhi in Chinese.
https://www.travel.taipei/en/pictorial/article/26808

Does it sound like there is more than one rattling object inside? If not, it may just be the piece pushed in when the hole was made in the bottom.

 

thanks 2mb, very helpful indeed, will have a good read of that

yeah its an intentional rattle i would think (loads of beads inside)