Indonesian Kendi or Ritual Water Vessel

Two puffed, ribbed tiers like a stack of dark pumpkins under a flat-lipped neck

This kendi, or ritual water vessel is from Java, Indonesia, and dates to the early 20th century. It is terra cotta. Terra cotta is low-fired earthenware clay, which stays porous and is valued for water vessels because evaporation through the walls tends to keep the contents cool. Two vertical-ribbed lobes stack into a squat body capped with a wide shoulder shelf. A short neck rises with a flat plate lip, and a spout emerges at left. Near-black, matte surface with pale flecks. It is 5 inches wide, 4.5 deep and 6 high.

Plump, stacked, and rather good at keeping up appearances.