Indonesian Kendi or Ritual Water Vessel

Ribbed, rust-brown vessel that wears faint dark smudges like a little apron

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. Fine horizontal grooves ring the body, which swells to a round shoulder and rises into a tiered, stepped neck. A short spout leans out near the top. Warm tan to reddish-brown with a dark sooty patch at the foot. It is 5.75 inches wide, 4 deep and 6.75 high.

Neatly pleated, slightly scorched, and not worried about either.