Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

kahnjar1 · 22nd March 2025, 12:28 AM

A nice Sumatran Kettle from the Minangkabau People, Padang Highlands, West Sumatra.
This kettle shows the early style of brass/copperware from Sumatra. The decoration is imposed on the surface rather than incised as it is with Javanese copperware.
The water is heated by charcoal over which the base stands, and there is still charcoal residue inside the base of this one. Height of Kettle is approx 7" (18cm) not including the handle.
Also shown below is a JAVANESE Ghendi (water bottle). You can see that the decoration of the Ghendi is incised rather than imposed as is the Sumatran Kettle. This Ghendi would be used in the home rather than taken out. For daily use an unglazed earthenware Ghendi woud be used. 9 1/2" tall (24cm)
Both these items came from what is now Indonesia in the early 20th century.

22nd March 2025, 12:28 AM	#1
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,785	Sumatran Kettle Dutch Colonial Era c1900 A nice Sumatran Kettle from the Minangkabau People, Padang Highlands, West Sumatra. This kettle shows the early style of brass/copperware from Sumatra. The decoration is imposed on the surface rather than incised as it is with Javanese copperware. The water is heated by charcoal over which the base stands, and there is still charcoal residue inside the base of this one. Height of Kettle is approx 7" (18cm) not including the handle. Also shown below is a JAVANESE Ghendi (water bottle). You can see that the decoration of the Ghendi is incised rather than imposed as is the Sumatran Kettle. This Ghendi would be used in the home rather than taken out. For daily use an unglazed earthenware Ghendi woud be used. 9 1/2" tall (24cm) Both these items came from what is now Indonesia in the early 20th century. Attached Images Last edited by kahnjar1; 22nd March 2025 at 01:27 AM.