WATER DIPPER

The shape of this beautiful piece resembles a coconut shell cut in half, while the curved handle has been created to resemble the tip of a budding young fern. The outer part of the bowl is decorated with a stylized lotus motif (padma) and it's edge shows an inscription, revealing it's weight. Water dippers of the same shape, but made from real coconut shell, are still in use in rural areas of Java. An elaborately crafted piece like the one here though, would only be used for religious rituals or other formal ceremonial occasions within the nobility, where it might also have served to pour special oils.