Indonesian Kendi or Ritual Water Vessel

Stepped neck like a tiny temple tower on a gleaming black body

This kendi, or ritual water vessel is from Java, Indonesia, and dates to the early 20th century. It is terra cotta. The kendi is a spouted vessel without a handle, found across Southeast Asia, and it is generally filled through a small neck opening and poured without touching the lips. Pale chalky deposits show at the collars. A glossy, ink-dark body sits on a ringed foot, carrying a flat shoulder and a neck built in several stacked collars, topped with a flat, plate-like lip. A sharp spout angles out at left. It is 6.75 inches wide, 5.5 deep and 8.25 high.

Polished enough to check its own reflection.