Antique 19th Century Silver Betel Box 

Region: Central Java       Indonesia

Diameter: 50mm       Depth: 25mm

This is a silver betel box, also known as a pāndān or cembul. These boxes were used to hold the ingredients for chewing betel, a tradition practiced in many parts of South and Southeast Asia. 
  • Betel boxes are often highly decorative, made from materials like silver or gold for the wealthy, and bronze or lacquer for others. 
  • The ingredients typically include areca nut, slaked lime, and other items wrapped in a betel leaf to create a mild stimulant. 
  • The practice of chewing betel was common in many regions until the early 20th century.