Indonesian Kendi or Ritual Water Vessel

Fire-blushed body in orange and black with a gourd-like spout like a beak

This kendi, or ritual water vessel is from Java, Indonesia, and dates to the early 20th century. It is terra cotta. A kendi usually has a rounded body, a narrow neck and a short spout, and the shape is thought to descend from earlier Indian water vessels. A low, wide body sweeps up to a short neck with a flat flange rim. A swollen, gourd-like spout points left. The surface is mottled, with orange-red clouds across dark brown and a fine ridged finish. It is 7 inches wide, 5.5 deep and 5 high.

Blushing, wide-bodied, and quite proud of its spout.