This colourful, porcelain kendi is mounted with a silver alloy fitting on the mouthrim, stopper and spout. Plantain leaves in famille verte enamels are painted on the tall neck. The shoulder is decorated in a lotus motif while a five-toned glaze of pink, green, yellow, white and iron-red decorate the body.Kendi is a Malay term derived from the Sanskrit word ‘kundika’, a ritual pouring vessel. A typical kendi has a bulbous body, a neck which is used for holding the vessel and a spout. Many forms of kendi were probably inspired by metal prototypes. The tradition of using kendi in Hindu-Buddhist rituals suggests that this type of vessel originated from India. Kendi have been used in Southeast Asia for at least a thousand years, as indicated by depictions on temple wall reliefs dating back to 9th century CE. They include locally made earthenware kendi as well as glazed wares from China, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. These were part of the lively international trade in ceramics and other commodities that resulted in stylistic exchanges. Kendi were used for a wide range of purposes in addition to their primary function as a pouring and drinking container. In Southeast Asia, kendi were important as ritual pouring vessels used in weddings and other ceremonies. Miniature kendi were likely to have been medicine containers or toys. The West Asian tradition of tobacco smoking using water-pipes was also practiced in this region and kendi were adapted for this purpose.
