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Kendi: C.38-1911

An image of Kendi

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Object information

Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Unknown

Entities

Categories

Description

Fritware painted in blue and black under a clear glaze

Fritware, moulded, painted in blue with black outlining, under a clear glaze.
Shape: ovular body with hole in upper section for missing spout and elephant head.
Exterior: ovular body is divided into seven panels mimicking animal harnesses and covers. The front and back vertical panels are adorned with dots, medallions and tassels which hang from horizontal panels, draped around the elephant’s neck or rump. These horizontal panels contain either crosses, painted in reserve against a blue background, or scrolling tendrils and flowers. On the sides of the figure horizontal panels, representing draped cloths, are decorated predominantly with inverted ‘Y’ shapes, painted in reserve against a blue background, and arranged around a lobbed central lozenge. On the upper surface further peony type flowers with leaves and tendrils are painted. On the elephant’s head eyes and scrolling ears or horns are depicted. Glaze on underside of foot ring but without a painter’s mark.
Interior: not visible

Notes

History note: From the Joseph Dixon Collection, sold at Christie’s, 16th-17th March, 1911, lot 132

Legal notes

Given by the Friends of the Fitzwilliam Museum

Measurements and weight

Height: 15.8 cm
Weight: 480 g
Width: 13 cm

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1911-03-20) by The Friends of the Fitzwilliam Museum

Dating

17th Century, Early#
Circa 1600 - Circa 1650

School or Style

Safavid (1501-1738)

Components of the work

Exterior composed of pigment ( black, blue) glaze ( clear)
Base Diameter 10.4 cm

Materials used in production

Fritware

Techniques used in production

Moulding : Fritware, moulded, painted in blue with black outlining, under a clear glaze

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: circular paper label

  • Text: 38/11
  • Location: Exterior base (underside of foot ring)
  • Method of creation: Hand written in black ink
  • Type: Label

Inscription present: rectangular paper label with serrated sides and lower section is printed with a red line

  • Text: 132/8, F.M. 42/11 (crossed through in pencil)
  • Location: Exterior base (underside of foot ring)
  • Method of creation: Hand written in black
  • Type: Label

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: C.38-1911
Primary reference Number: 74731
Stable URI

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Tuesday 12 June 2012 Last processed: Wednesday 13 December 2023

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024) "Kendi" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/74731 Accessed: 2024-11-21 23:34:23

Citation for Wikipedia

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/74731 |title=Kendi |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-11-21 23:34:23|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/api/v1/objects/object-74731

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        <figcaption class="figure-caption text-info">Kendi</figcaption>
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