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These kendi were made for export, but was the art and porcelain making techniques ever adopted in Malaysia and Indonesia?

That's a great question! Malaysia and Indonesia did develop porcelain technology, but much, much later. These areas were avid consumers of Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese ceramics for centuries. They were rich in raw materials that the other countries wanted (spices, sandalwood, marine products, hardwoods), so they were able to trade quite easily.

What were kendi used for?

While the kendi shape was originally used as a ritual vessel pouring liquids at ceremonies in India, these kendi were used as drinking vessels on a more everyday scale. Liquid would be poured into the top of the vessel and emerge from the spout.

What are these?

These are kendi. This type of vessel would have been used originally for ritual pouring of liquids in India. These versions, however, were more everyday objects used for drinking. These kendi, called "mamiform" because the spout is breast-shaped, would have been used to pour water directly into the mouth without touching the vessel. We know that the majority of kendi vessels were exported to Malaysia and Indonesia, usually from Japan, China, Vietnam, or Thailand. Dutch still life paintings also provide evidence that they were exported to Europe in the 17th century!

The kendi look like the water vessels used in Vedic puja rituals. Do you know where the word kendi was derived from?

It looks like "kendi" is a Malay word derived from the Sanskrit word for water pot. These vessels were designed for Hindu rituals. They were created in East Asia, but intended for export to Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia and Indonesia.

It's so cool that this was exported to Indonesia, my home country! We still say "kendi" to describe several different types of water vessels, but now I wonder if the word's origin is foreign. Do you know where the term originated?

You're the second person to ask where the word comes from! "Kendi" is a Malay word that has its origins in Sanskrit. The term can simply refers to any container of liquids.

It has, of course, come to mean vessels similar to this form especially for water in ritual contexts.

Awesome! Thanks so much!

What is a kendi?

A kendi is a type of handle-less, spouted pouring vessel. The form originates in Southeast Asia, but they were eventually produced in Japan, China, Vietnam, and Thailand for export to Indonesia and Malaysia.

Kendi were originally used in Hindu rituals, but eventually became general drinking vessels by the 14th century.

Huh! Thanks, that's very interesting!

Kendi Ewer

Asian Art

Although this kendi has discolored over time, it was originally much whiter. Vietnamese ceramicists were renowned for their abilities to create bright white wares.

MEDIUM Porcelain with underglaze blue

Place Made: Vietnam

DATES 17th century

DIMENSIONS 6 × 5 1/2 × 6 1/4 in. (15.2 × 14 × 15.9 cm)

COLLECTIONS Asian Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2004.28.112

CREDIT LINE The Peggy N. and Roger G. Gerry Collection

EXHIBITIONS

Infinite Blue

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

RECORD COMPLETENESS

Not every record you will find here is complete. More information is available for some works than for others, and some entries have been updated more recently. Records are frequently reviewed and revised, and we welcome any additional information you might have.