Artwork Page for Betel nut container

Details / Information for Betel nut container

Betel nut container

1800s

Philippines

Medium
Cast brass with silver inlays, weave fabric (handle), glass beads
Measurements
Average: 7.4 cm (2 15/16 in.)
Weight:
Credit Line
Gift of J. H. Wade 1916.1023
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

The beaded strap suggests portability; it may have been worn or suspended during social gatherings.

Description

Chewing betel has been a social ritual common throughout Southeast Asia and Oceania for centuries. This betel nut container held the ingredients (areca nut, slaked lime, and betel leaves) used for this practice. The rectangular box, made of cast brass, is richly decorated with inlaid silver geometric motifs. It features a multicolored beaded strap with a pattern typical of the Bagobo people.
Box in the shape of a rectangular prism in bronze shades with a strap with colorful beaded patterns, mainly yellow, blue, and pink. The colors are organized sometimes into different triangular shapes and sometimes scatter among one another. Horizontal lines run along the base and cover of the box. Between these runs a "V"-pattern with scalloped edges outlined above and below.

Betel nut container

1800s

Philippines

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

    Contact Us

    The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

    To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

    All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.