Page 123 - Chinese and Asian Ceramics from an Indonesian Collection

Ceramics from the Musi River

Figure 209. Kendis, heights 11.9 & 12.8 cm, C13–C19, from the Musi River, Pusri site. Catalogue Nos L & C: K2009 & K2010. And
bottle kendi R, height 16.2 cm, from Bajawa, Central Flores. C19–C20. Catalogue No. K751.

Figure 210. Miniature mangosteen fruit toy, height 9.6, local Figure 211. Stove to support small pots, decorated with vertical
ware, C8–C19, from the Musi River. Catalogue incised lines and impressed open circles, three
No. K2688. prongs repaired, height 9 cm, C15 to recent, from
the Musi River, Sungai Rebo site. Catalogue No.
K1396.
Other forms
These included a lidded pot (K1510), lid (K1516), jars to spirits. We also have miniature kendis produced at
(K2051, K2451), censers (Figure 202), and small stove Takalar, southern Sulawesi, in the 1950s, that were made
or tungku (K1396). These also had similar decoration, to place on rafters of houses to placate spirits. The largest
fabric and potting style to those from the Lampung group of earthenware miniatures from the Musi were
District. considered a subset of ‘Lampung ware’. They are of
additional interest in that most of them are small versions
Miniatures and figurines of larger kendis found in the Musi. Consequently, as a
According to Adhyatman (1987), smaller kendis and group they are likely to indicate the form of other larger
miniatures have always been produced in Java for use as kendis from Lampung and nearby Komering River valley
toys by children. This was likely to have been the case also sites not yet recovered from the Musi (Figure 203). As
at Palembang and elsewhere in Indonesia. Additionally, with larger kendis, some of these miniatures could date
miniature kendis were traditionally used in Bali as offerings from the 8th century to the modern period.

106