Terracotta container with Singa Stopper (Kendi)

Toba Batak, North Sumatra, Indonesia
19th century
Wood and Chinese trade ceramic

Provenance: Rodger Dashow collection.
Published: Indonesian Tribal Art, 2015, pp. 222–223.

This distinctive kendi combines a rounded Chinese trade ceramic vessel with an intricately carved wooden stopper depicting a singa, the fantastic composite creature of Batak art. The vessel’s deeply ribbed body, upright neck, and projecting spout create a strong sculptural silhouette.
The carved stopper provides an animated counterpoint to the vessel’s generous proportions. The singa’s elongated head rises at one end, balanced by a curling, serpent-like tail at the other. Closely worked scrolls and geometric details articulate its surface, lending richness and movement to the compact form.

Kendi were used throughout the Indonesian archipelago to store and dispense liquids. Their projecting spouts allowed drinking without touching the vessel to the lips, making them suitable for shared use. Here, the pairing of imported ceramic and locally carved wood gives a functional vessel a distinctly Batak character.