Betel container

Southeast Asian Collection

Accession Nr.: 2131.1-3
Type: object for daily use; lacquers
Date of production:
19th century
Place of production:
Materials/Techniques: bamboo filament, lacquer
Dimensions: height: 10. 5 cm
diameter: 9. 3 cm
A typical Burmese lacquer box with two removable trays, decorated with stylized animal and human motifs.

Myanmar lacquer art is one of the ten traditional national arts. The bases of the objects are usually woven from bamboo and in many cases horsehair, and then covered with varnishes of different material composition according to the type of the area. Among the decorative techniques used, the object in the picture is of the incised ones, with the above-mentioned floral and faunal motifs.

The consumption of betel is a popular habit in South Asian countries. This form of betel consumption is particularly widespread in Burma (Myanmar) and is an important complement to social interaction and hospitality, especially during festivals and weddings.