Ming 15th or 16th century bronze and enamel ritual water vessel or kundika, estimate £30,000-40,000 at Chiswick Auctions.
The 15th or 16th century bronze and enamel ritual water vessel or kundika comes for sale from a private collection in France with a provenance to Robert Rousset (1901-82), an employee of the Compagnie de la Chine et des Indes. It is guided at £30,000-40,000.
Following Indian prototypes, kundika were used by monks to wash their mouths after meals. Filled through the hinged spout with purified water, the contents were sprinkled out of the top.
The polychrome lotus scroll decoration to this example is a common ornament on Chinese cloisonné of this period and especially appropriate for a vessel connected with Buddhist ritual. The gilt underside is incised with the protective visvavajra motif.
