JVV 0540
Delft, 1680-1690
Mark: 12 at the back
The kendi has a convex body with a breast-shaped spout on the shoulder, a protruding neck ending in a short, straight upper rim, and stands on a short straight foot. The kendi is painted in purple with a chinoiserie decor. Around the belly is an oriental landscape containing two resting Chinese. The breast-shaped spout also features an oriental landscape with a resting Chinese. Around the shoulder is a band with flowers and scroll ornaments. The central part of the neck is painted with pointed leaves, the rounded upper part with narrow points.
Dimensions: height 16 cm / 6.29 in.
Explanatory note
The kendi is a drinking vessel for water that has been manufactured for centuries in China, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand in both porcelain and stoneware. Its specific shape was developed for travel or for work in the field. Kendis were also part of Chinese and Japanese export porcelain imported to the Netherlands in large numbers by the Dutch East India Company. Their unique shape is purely Asian and captured the imagination of the Dutch and Europeans. They were also regularly immortalised by Dutch still-life painters. In Dutch Delftware, they were made on a limited scale. Most were painted in blue with chinoiserie decorations, sometimes in blue and purple. Purple kendis had not been documented until now.
