Kettle with lid

Title
Kettle with lid
Year/Period
Late 19th century
Region
West Sumatra, Indonesia
Dimension
Gross measurement: H27.6 x Dia18.0 x Cir55.0cm,
Object size: XXXX-02919-001: H28.0 x Dia18.0 x Cir55.0 /Base : 14.5 /With spout : 22.0cm
Accession No.
XXXX-02919
Credit Line
Acquired from Mrs. B. St. V. Down, 1936

This brass vessel is known as a 'ceret'. Ceret are kettles with rich ornamentation used during ceremonial occasions. The body of this vessel is cast in a bulbous form with panels decorated in ornate floral and geometric motifs. Ceret were usually patterned after bronze ones. They were made in four parts comprising the lid, the body, the spout and the handle cast separately then soldered together. An interesting feature of this type of kettle is the hollow lid soldered to the body. The lid is false and non-functioning while the real lid is at the apex of the round handle. Water is poured through this aperture on the handle. These kettles are used to serve drinking water during weddings or festivals.