Holy Water Vessel

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On display

V&A South Kensington
The Himalayas and South-East Asia, Room 47a

Artist/Maker	Unknown
Place of origin	Indonesia (made)

A globular vessel with a cover in the form of a stylised mountain, intended to hold amrita, the hold nector resulting from the churning of the ocean of milk in Hindu creation myths. Such vessel were associated with the use of sanctified water in libations.

Object details

Categories	Bronze Hinduism
Object type	Sculpture
Title	Holy Water Vessel (generic title)
Materials and techniques	Bronze
Brief description	Hanging ceremonial censor, Majapahit style, East Java, Indonesia
Physical description	A globular vessel with a cover in the form of a stylised mountain, intended to hold amrita, the hold nector resulting from the churning of the ocean of milk in Hindu creation myths. Such vessel were associated with the use of sanctified water in libations.
Dimensions	Height: 16cm
Style	Majapahit
Gallery label	(14/06/2011) Water Vessel 1300–1600 This vessel is a miniature version of the mythical mountain at the centre of the Hindu and Buddhist universe. It is also reminiscent of the temple complex at Borobodur in central Java. The vessel held the sanctified water used in religious ceremonies. Symbolically, the water became amrita, the nectar that resulted from the churning of the ocean of milk in Hindu creation myths. Bronze Indonesia (East Java) Museum no. IS.7-1994
Object history	Bought from Anthony Plowright.
Production	East Java, Indonesia
Collection	South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number	IS.7-1994

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Record created	February 13, 2000
Record URL	https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O24774/holy-water-vessel-sculpture-unknown/

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