Description
One of the things that fascinate us is the ethnicity, culture, & historical background of nearly every item in our collection, such as this Betel nut box. The design is seemingly Middle Eastern with hinged handles & the inside has three compartments. These boxes were known to be used by the wealthy Maranao families in Mindanao, the Philippines who could afford the elaborately embellished boxes in silver-inlaid brass. Betel, smokeless chewable tobacco that acts as a mild stimulant, is the leaf of the evergreen plant that is mixed with crushed areca (the seed of the areca palm, which grows in much of the tropical Pacific) also known as betel nut & spices. The natives chewed on the leaves which caused saliva to turn red & teeth black with extended periods of use. These boxes were also used by the wealthy Maranao families to show off to their visitors, where the compartments were filled with betel leaves & lime to make up the betel quid (mixture of different spices). Condition: Visible oxidation; for collection & display only; not recommended for storing food ✂ - m e a s u r e m e n t s: 6.5" wide x 3" tall x 3" deep (16.51cm x 7.62cm x 7.62cm), 3.35lbs Please read our shop policies prior to making a purchase: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HouseofSeance#policies Please check the link below for other listings Vintage Betel Nut Box Asian Design Brass Inlay Mindanao Philippines Islamic
