Bronzeexpand_more
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Daytonexpand_more 2002.90.7
Known as a kundi or kundika in Sanskrit, this uniquely shaped vessel was used during Buddhist rituals to sprinkle water for purification purposes. It was a standard ceremonial object and, along with the alms bowl, was considered a monk's necessity. The vessel type, originally imported from India during the early Tang dynasty, was usually made of metal; but by the early Song, stoneware versions had become the norm. A tall, slender neck of classic form with an ovoid body surmounts this elegant bottle with a disk-shaped flange below a narrow, tapered spout. A second spout rises from the shoulder capped by a cup-shaped mouth with flat-hinged cover. A similar water bottle was discovered on the Western Mountain in the tomb of the monk, Shen Hui, at Longmen near Luoyang in Henan province.
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know