Ritual vessel with naga

Object Details

• Label

  Known as nagas, serpents are powerful symbols in South and Southeast Asia. They guard the watery underworld, where they reside in jeweled palaces and protect corals and pearls. In Southeast Asia, nagas also represent the bridge that connects the human and divine worlds.

  Nagas are therefore among the most prevalent signs in Indonesian art, ranging from relief carvings and architectural elements to ritual objects. In this ritual water vessel, the naga's tail forms the handle, and its mouth serves as the spout. Flowing through the naga's mouth imbued the water with sanctity. Nagas are said to carry jewels on their heads, seen here as a conical bump.

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas (March 25, 2023 - ongoing)

  Power in Southeast Asia (October 14, 2017 to March 13, 2020)

• Origin

  East Java, Indonesia

• Credit Line

  Gift of Ann and Gilbert Kinney

• Type

  Vessel

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1590s, 1300s

• Place

  East Java, Indonesia

• Topic

  Art, Southeast Asian Art, Snakes, Metal-work, Copper alloy

• Culture

  Naga (South Asian people), Southeast Asians, Hindus

• Object Type

  Vessels (containers)