Pictures below show a large zoomorphic bronze kettle from my collection. This monumental, large brass or bronze kettle was cast in the early 20th century on Borneo island in either Sarawak or Brunei. It stands on a wide foot cast with geometric and lotus petal motifs.
The sides of the body are cast with two dramatic Borneo-type dragons, fish, lotus root segments and a grotesque gargoyle mask. On the shoulder of the base stand two cast tree frogs. Another has been cast onto the flap that slides over the end of the spout. A lid, which sits in the kettle, has a grotesque amphibian-like creature as its finial. A pair of river prawns with extended claws, a tortoise and a crab have been cast into the side of the lid along with two lotus root cross-segments. The spout is emit from the mouth of a bearded dragon. A large cast handle with elaborate scrolls has cast into the top with a dog-like creature (same in between the spout and the body) in between two snub-nosed crocodiles. Both the base of the handle also has cast with two bird's head-like at each side.
The kettle was used not for heating or preparing beverages but for hand washing on ceremonial occasions, particularly by Iban people on Borneo.
A kettle as large and elaborate as this would have been used for special feasts only, particularly for weddings where wealth and ostentation need to be on display, which only in wealthier households.
Extant examples of old brass ware from Brunei and elsewhere on the island of Borneo frequently exhibit strong Chinese influence such as dragons despite Islam being Brunei's main religion today.
Height: 32cm, Length: 35cm, Weight: 4.5kg.
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The sides of the body are cast with two dramatic Borneo-type dragons, fish, lotus root segments and a grotesque gargoyle mask. On the shoulder of the base stand two cast tree frogs. Another has been cast onto the flap that slides over the end of the spout. A lid, which sits in the kettle, has a grotesque amphibian-like creature as its finial. A pair of river prawns with extended claws, a tortoise and a crab have been cast into the side of the lid along with two lotus root cross-segments. The spout is emit from the mouth of a bearded dragon. A large cast handle with elaborate scrolls has cast into the top with a dog-like creature (same in between the spout and the body) in between two snub-nosed crocodiles. Both the base of the handle also has cast with two bird's head-like at each side.
The kettle was used not for heating or preparing beverages but for hand washing on ceremonial occasions, particularly by Iban people on Borneo.
A kettle as large and elaborate as this would have been used for special feasts only, particularly for weddings where wealth and ostentation need to be on display, which only in wealthier households.
Extant examples of old brass ware from Brunei and elsewhere on the island of Borneo frequently exhibit strong Chinese influence such as dragons despite Islam being Brunei's main religion today.
Height: 32cm, Length: 35cm, Weight: 4.5kg.
Picture 1
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Picture 12
Picture 13
Picture 14
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