Small fruit-shaped betel pot

Southeast Asian Collection

Accession Nr.: 54.100.1.1-2
Type: bronze, lead, gold and silver; object for daily use; metalwork
Date of production:
19th century
Place of production:
Materials/Techniques: brass, engraved, chased
Dimensions: height: 10cm
width: 6 cm
Fruit-shaped octagonal jar with removable lid, decorated with alternating fields of swastika and floral patterns on the sides. It was probably part of a betel set. Betel-chewing is a widespread practice in many parts of the world; it is particularly popular in India and Southeast Asian countries. The betel nut set (a container with removable lid and small pots for areca nuts, slaked lime, gambir plants, tobacco, and cloves) also has a symbolic function, the various ingredients representing symbolic good luck wishes for newlyweds for example.