Pre-Khmer Pottery Pouring Vessel, Kendi, 6th-8th Century, Cambodia

The large kendi of typical form, with a bulbous body set on a ring foot, featuring a single spout emerging from the shoulder, and a narrow, tapering neck ending in a wide everted mouth with a ridged mouth rim.

The red pottery kendi heavily encrusted in soil accretions from centuries of burial. A delicate network of root marks are present on the vessel. The heavy encrustation obscures much of the pottery body, though it appears there is a band of red pigmentation circumscribing the body, as well as additional red pigmentation to the mouth rim.

Kendi are pouring vessels with a spout but no handle. They are grasped around the neck and supported from the bottom when in use. The form originates in India, and was transported along trade and pilgrimage routes into Southeast and East Asia. They are used in both religious and secular contexts.