Indonesian Kendi or Ritual Water Vessel

Pair of crown-points flank a bulbous finial on a sharp-shouldered body

This kendi, or ritual water vessel is from Java, Indonesia, and dates to the early 20th century. It is terra cotta. On Java, water vessels have long been used in daily life and in ceremonies, where water is commonly associated with purification and hospitality. Brown and softly matte. A rounded finial caps the neck, with two small spouts angled outward on either side. The body flares sharply at the shoulder into a cone with a small base. A faint reddish disc marks the shoulder. It is 6.75 inches high and 5.25 in diameter.

Symmetrical, sharp-shouldered, and prepared for any royal occasion.