Vintage Bronze Kindi

This attractively shaped vintage collectible is a Kindi from Kerala. Its a type of pitcher thats usually found in old houses in Kerala and traditionally used during pooja to dispense holy water. Kindi is also used to keep water at the entrance of the house, so that visitors can wash their feet with this water, and also to wash hands after meals. The shape of Kindi is very effective to minimize water loss while washing the feet or hand, as it has only a small aperture to pour water. Its shape is also very attractive. While using Kindi, the hands of the user never touch the water inside the Kindi, so that water never gets contaminated. An enchanting piece that has a versatile use in contemporary home decor.

This object is a Kindi, a traditional water vessel from Kerala, made here in bronze. Once a common sight in Kerala households, the Kindi served both ritual and everyday purposes.

It was used in pooja rituals to dispense holy water, and also placed near the entrance of homes so visitors could wash their feet before entering. Another use was for washing hands after meals. Its distinctive design, with a rounded body and a small, spout-like opening, allowed water to be poured in a controlled way, minimizing wastage. The narrow aperture also ensured that the user’s hands never touched the stored water, keeping it clean and uncontaminated.

The Kindi was valued not just for utility but also for its role in maintaining ritual purity, and bronze was a preferred metal for its durability and auspicious associations. Today, while it has fallen out of daily use, the Kindi is appreciated as a collectible and is sometimes repurposed in contemporary décor.

Please note that vintage pieces may show some signs of wear and tear, owing to their age.