金銅水注|Ritual Ewer

Unknown

13th century · Gilt bronze · Asian Art

This small gilt-bronze object may have served as a ritual vessel called a kundika in Sanskrit, which held water used during Buddhist ceremonies and is one of the eighteen implements Buddhist monks and nuns need in order to perform their duties. Most East Asian kundika take the shape of long-necked bottles, although some examples have short, bulbous bodies like this one. However, its shape and diminutive size are also reminiscent of a water dropper.

Artist

Unknown

Date

13th century

Medium

Gilt bronze

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Richard Fishbein and Estelle Bender Gift, 2006