Kindi ritual pouring vessel, Southern India, Kerala, 18th-19th century

Heavy metal alloy casting in the form of a container for pouring water, suitable for domestic or ritual use. As traditional prescribes, the object is characterized by a flattened globular body, a high cylindrical neck and a long ithyphallic pourer. The similarity of the latter with the Shiva-lingam could make the object appropriate for pouring lustral water on the lingam during ceremonies. For a comparative example see Zebrowski M., Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India, 1997, cat. no. 357 and p. 222.