Vase

A vessel for water. Brass, except for band around body, and neck of spout which are copper. Globular body on stepped foot with stepped shoulder; neck, and flaring reflexed rim by which it is carried. Spout ends in animal head. Vessels like this, used by practioners of Hinduism, lack a spout. In the Islamic tradition a vessel is given a spout becuase the Qur'an ordains that a man shall perform his absolutions in running water, hence when poured from the spout the water is considered to be running.