21. Water Vessel

21. Water Vessel
Copper
Length: 48 cm
Nineteenth-twentieth century
Catalogue number 21.
Accession number 88.549.

These sinuous vessels are used exclusively to hold ritual holy water during worship. The worshiper dips flowers, leaves, and other items in this water to purify them before offering them to the gods. The vessel is usually accompanied by a small copper ladle of the same shape to pour water on the metal images when bathing the gods. The shape of the vessel is a conventional representation of the womb and is associated with fertility. The large size of this particular vessel suggests that it was used in a temple rather than in a home shrine.

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22. Water Vessel
Copper
Length: 48 cm
Nineteenth-twentieth century
Catalogue number 22.
Accession number 88.549.

These sinuous vessels are used exclusively to hold ritually holy water during worship. The worshiper dips flowers, leaves, and other items in this water to purify them before offering them to the gods. The vessel Up to Nalin Home Page