This earthenware water vessels derive their shapes from the gourd, a fleshy fruit of a creeping vine that since ancient times was hollowed out and dried for use as a water container. They have ribbed bodies and are decorated with incised geometric motif. The silver stoppers suggests that they were made for people of considerable means.Malay pottery consists mainly of household utensils such as cooking pots, dishes, storage vessels for water and incense braziers. Traditionally, they were hand-moulded without the use of potter’s wheel. Many take their shapes from natural forms such as fruit or vegetables and are decorated with incised floral and geometric motifs.
