Mounted 19th Century Filipino Betel Box

Tibetan traveling shrines, known as Gau, were believed to offer protective powers and were used to hold and carry sacred objects during long journeys....

Once ornately gilt, this serene bronze seated Buddha was created in Thailand in the mid-19th century. Cast in the older Sukhothai style, the Buddha bears a uniquely Thai flame-like s...

This large Burmese bell is known as hka-lauk and was used to track the movement of a livestock animal, strung from a collar by the two loops at the top. Dat...

This large Burmese bell is known as hka-lauk and was used to track the movement of a livestock animal, strung from a collar by the two loops at the top. Dat...

This sculptural bronze object is a charming example of 19th-century metalwork. The bronze figure is formed as a Buddhist wrathful deity, weari...

This hand-forged metal sculpture, with its delicate appearance and whimsical shape, was once an integral tool to a 19th century Chinese cobbler’s trade. Made of iron, these scissors ...

An antique Cambodian or Thai bronze gong from the 19th century mounted on a black custom base. Created in Cambodia or Thailand during the 19th century, this circular bronze gong is t...

Asian Beaten Brass Betel Nut Pandan Box, Northern India. Beautiful antique hand hammered Asian round brass betel with a lid and delicate engravings with floral design handle hand crafted by skilled artisans from Northern India. Indian Beaten Copper Betel Nut Pandan Box with hand hammered beaten floral and incised decoration used to store betel leaf, lime, tobacco and the nut from the areca palm. This mixture of ingredients when prepared and placed in the mouth for long periods gives the user a mild aphrodisiac affect. The preparation of the betel nut with lime stored in ornate boxes with several smaller internal containers was popular all over Asia and is still a common practice in Myanmar and India and among the hill tribes of many S. E. Asian countries. Engraved with intricate designs on the lid which has a carved floral design handle and a latch in front for opening or closing the box and for safekeeping. Nicely hand-hammered with intricate details. Please check photo #5, there is about 1 inch damage area on the side of the box. Museum quality AsianHand-hammered decorative Islamic brass folk art metalwork collector treasure box. Measures: Diameter 7 in. x Height 4 in. The box has a rich, deep brown patina. Quality of Mughal style. A pandan was used to store the pan, or betel quid after it had been stuffed and rolled ready to eat, rather than for the individual ingredients. The chewing of betel is an ancient Asian tradition comparable to tobacco in the western world. Betel consists of three main ingredients: the areca nut, betel leaf and lime paste. Betel was, and still is enormously popular throughout Asia and plays a major role in the entertaining of guests, in courtship and marriage, and in the traditional etiquette of the royal courts, where it often forms part of the state regalia.[1] Research on several pandan boxes has been published by Zebrowski.[2] Brownrigg, H. Betel Cutters...

This is thought to be part of the decoration of a gilt-bronze Buddha made in ancient China, from the late Ming to the Qing dynasties. It is thought that it is probably an ornament t...

Antique 18th 19th Century Palanquin Mythical Lion or Tiger Finial Bronze Handle. Large heavy Indian Mythological bronze palanquin fitting cast via the lost wax technique, beautifully stylized and crafted in the form of protective mythological creature. Palanquin finials were used to adorn the pole ends of the palanquin or palki. A fine and massive example of a palanquin pole finial with good detail and fine patina. India, circa: 18th/19thc. The Palanquin handle...

An antique Burmese bronze ceremonial bell from the 19th century with verde patina and cow motif. Created in Burma during the 19th century, this bronze ceremonial bell will make for a...

A large antique early 19th century Indian brass votive oil lamp modeled as the Hindu deity, Lord Ganesha, circa 1800. A finely cast brass figure of Lord ...