This blue and white porcelain kendi is richly decorated in a bluish black underglaze design that includes motifs of plantain leaves on the neck and floral scrolls on the elongated bulbous sprout. Alternating leaf scrolls and clouds are painted on the lobed shoulder while leaf panels adorn the lower 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.
