Indonesian Kendi or Ritual Water Vessel

Flat-rimmed collar on a tall neck and a spout like a diving board

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. Orange-red surface with dusty dark streaks and faint horizontal turning lines. A wide, octagonal-looking lip crowns a ringed neck above a stepped, flaring body. A long, straight spout juts at a steep angle from the shoulder. It is 7 inches wide, 5.5 deep and 8.5 high.

Neat in profile, and bluntly honest about its spout.