SOLD OUT - Antique Thai silver unusual betel box.

Antique Asian, possibly Thai silver unusual betel box. The box is of round shape with a lid, inside is 6 different small containers. The box has a pierced design throughout, which features various hand engraved floral motifs.

The betel box was made in Asia, possibly Thai, circa late 19th or early 20th century.

Tested positive for .800 silver.

Dimensions -
Diameter: 15.5 cm
Height:17 cm
Weight: 1089 grams

Condition: piece is slightly oxidized, it has been left in original antique condition, no damage, excellent condition for its age.

The most splendid of all boxes made in Asia are those that held the most common thing: betel-nuts, also known as Sirih in Indonesia. From pure gold and intricate gold-filigree, to ivory, tortoiseshell and silver, all varieties are known, but some more rare than the other.

Since the eleventh century, however, the royal use of betel in South-East Asia is described in written records which provide a rich source of details about the protocol of sharing a quid with a king and the use of betel in royal ceremonies.

Betel chewing is firmly embedded in the traditions of South-East Asia and enjoyed, even revered, on several levels. The most obvious reason as to why people chew betel is for social affability, in a way similar to westerners drinking coffee together.

A key to its widespread patronage, though, lies in its use for other purposes besides chewing. The betel quid is also used as a medicine to cure a variety of illnesses ranging from headaches to skin infections. Betel is also believed to be a powerful link in contacting supernatural forces and as such is intricately entwined with the rites of animistic worship which give it magical qualities. And both the nut and the leaf are used symbolically in all ceremonies related to the rites of passage. It is particularly potent in fostering social and sexual relationships between a male and a female.