Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 15

Vintage East Java Indonesian Brass Tepak Sireh Betel Nut Set 7 Pieces

About the Item

Phenomenal vintage East Java Indonesian brass Tepak Sireh betel nut set including a large brass bowl with removeable lid which doubles as a tray, two rounded containers with lids, two smaller vessels without lids, and a narrow vessel, all with welded, hammered, and etched hand tooling. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, mid 19th-mid 20th century. Frank Zappa once said, “Tobacco is my favorite vegetable.” Well, he would have really enjoyed this awesome brass Tepak Sireh betel nut set, and we love it too…but we think it has more artistic potential than the original job it was given. The custom of chewing a mixture of the betel nut leaf and areca nut was a common practice throughout Indonesia, and much of Southeast Asia, dating back thousands of years. Betel (also known as paan in India or sirih in Malaysia and Indonesia) is the palm nut, lime powder & vine leaf mixture that was traditionally chewed in South & Southeast Asia. It is a mild social stimulant similar to alcohol or tobacco. This elaborate brass Tepak Sireh betel nut set includes a large brass bowl, removeable lid, which is also a tray, two rounded containers with lids, two smaller vessels without lids, and a narrow, vase style vessel for holding various ingredients. They are beautifully welded, hammered, and hand tooled with intricate detail and what is distinctive about this kind of brass work from East Java is that the finely etched typical Javan interlocking ‘banji’ design is a symbolic reminder of Java’s early Buddhist faith. Isn’t that an interesting piece of knowledge?? Anyway, the lidded base would have held betel leaves and ensured they would have remained moist. The design is quite ingenious and allows for the tray to be separated from the bowl and presented to guests to share in a betel nut chew. The other containers would have held lime paste, areca nut, spices, or extract from the gambier plant, and of course, tobacco. The largest implement would have been used as a spittoon. Betel sets were status symbols, especially for wealthier families and were at the heart of most social and ceremonial events such as weddings and are among the most beautiful and collectable items of material culture produced in Southeast Asia. This gorgeous betel set would be a beautiful centerpiece on a dining table or displayed nobly in a China hutch, credenza, buffet, or on a dry bar. It is an amazing representation of Indonesian décor and would be a fabulous conversation piece at your next social function. We are in awe of this stunning vintage Indonesian brass Tepak Sireh betel nut set and surely you must be too? Time to make it yours!! Largest Bowl/Spittoon: • Height w/lid – 9.5 inches • Height w/o lid – 4.5 inches • Diameter – 8 inches • Weight – 4.18 pounds Tallest vessel: • Height – 3.75 inches • Diameter – 3.5 inches • Weight – .5 pounds Rounded vessels each: • Height w/lid – 2.75 inches • Height w/o lid- 1.75 inches • Diameter – 2.75 inches • Weight – .33 pounds Smallest vessels each: • Height – 1.75 inches • Diameter – 2 inches • Weight – .24 pounds Boxed size: • Height – 16 inches • Width – 14 inches • Depth – 14 inches • Weight – 15 pounds.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Diameter: 8 in (20.32 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 7
  • Style:
    Anglo-Indian (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Brass,Etched,Hammered
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa Mid-19th-Mid-20th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections.
  • Seller Location:
    Topeka, KS
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: CAR-DEC-281 1stDibs: LU1873325333041

More From This Seller

View All
Vintage Bronze Handmade Singing Bowl or Standing Bowl with Mallet on Pillow
Located in Topeka, KS
Beautiful singing bowl or standing bowl with a mallet and its playing pillow. Handmade of bronze or bell metal and showing the makers hand. It is in wonderful vintage condition with ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Antique Korean Trunk Chest or Box circa 1920s with Luck and Longevity Characters
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome antique Korean trunk or chest with beautiful brass details and the auspicious Chinese characters for luck and longevity carved into the f...
Category

Early 20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinoiserie Vignette of Soap Stone Carving Tin Tea Canister & Jade Grapes
Located in Topeka, KS
Lovely chinoiserie vignette including a soap stone carving, a black tin tea canister comprised of hand painted gold floral detail, a lid, and a bun...
Category

20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture

Materials

Stone, Jade, Soapstone, Tin

Vintage Art Deco Brass & Copper Coffee Urns Bakelite Handles Set of 4
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome vintage art deco brass & copper coffee urns with Bakelite handles set of 4. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and n...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Urns

Materials

Brass, Copper, Chrome

1850’s-1970’s Vintage Assorted Rose Medallion Tableware Various Styles 61 Pieces
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible 1850’s antique to 1970’s vintage assorted Rose Medallion tableware including various styles with 56 pieces and 5 lids, 61 pieces total. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. Specifically, this set includes various styles, ages, and conditions including some pieces with no chips to pieces with some or several chips, nicks, or chiggers. We have listed each piece with their specific condition below in measurements. Please see photos and zoom in for details as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, range from 1850’s – 1970’s. Tableware EXTRORDINAIRE!!!!! If you know Rose Medallion, you know what a GEM of a collection THIS IS!!!!! And if you are unfamiliar or new to its glorious existence, you are certainly in for a tableware TREAT!!! This is a phenomenal collection including FIFTY-SIX various hand painted Rose Medallion pieces and 5 lids equaling 61 pieces total! This style of Chinese porcelain was first made in the mid-1800s to satisfy the export demand from Europe and later the United States. These pieces vary in age as early as several Antique 1850’s pieces expanding into some 1970’s vintage pieces. There are various styles, all glossy and highly colorful depicting scenes featuring medallions, vibrant flowers, vivid birds, people, figures, leaves and trees, and Chinese scenes. This collection includes plates, platters, cups, teapots, vases, saucers, candlesticks, bowls, and even a couple of high heel shoe ashtrays!! It also includes various shapes, a few pieces with lids (a few without), a few pieces with handles (a few without), and various conditions that you can read specifics on in the measurement area below. This Rose Medallion Chinese porcelain collection will be incredible displayed either in a gorgeous glass display cabinet, on a shelf unit in your dining area, in your open kitchen cabinets...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Late 20th Ming Style Indonesian Dining Armed Chairs Natural Teak w/ Black Seats
Located in Topeka, KS
Lovely vintage Ming style Indonesian dining armed chairs comprised of natural teak frames & upholstered drop in seats. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and...
Category

Late 20th Century Indonesian Ming Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Canvas, Teak

You May Also Like

Antique Indian Mughal Brass Betel Nut Cutters with Dragon Motif Areca nut Cutter
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Asian Mughal Indian betel nut cutters crafted in bronze, specifically designed for cutting betel palm, seeds, areca nuts, and dry fruits. This meticulously handcrafted collec...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Indian Islamic Metalwork

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Deluxe Betel Nut Box Set, Maranao Culture, Southern Philippines (Mindanao).
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Two bronze rectangular boxes decorated with symmetrical silver inlay in the tendril vine pattern referred to as “the okir pattern”, a traditional design for the Maranao people. This...
Category

Early 20th Century Philippine Tribal Metalwork

Materials

Silver, Bronze

Antique Brass Betel Nut Cutter with chiseled decoration - India 19th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Antique Brass Betel Nut Cutter with chiseled decoration - India 19thc Antique - Asian decoration Measures : 8cmx15cm Antique Brass Betel Nut Cutter from India Collectible Asian Arti...
Category

Antique 19th Century Indian Folk Art Metalwork

Materials

Brass

Antique Brass Indian Betel Nut Cutter from Collectible Asian Mughal Artifact
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Brass Betel Nut Cutter from India Collectible Asian Artifact This excellent piece of art from India, made in solid brass, nut slicer or nut cracker which is two halves made w...
Category

Antique 19th Century Indian Folk Art Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Antique Brass Betel Nut Cutter from India Collectible Asian Mughal Artifact
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Brass Betel Nut Cutter from India Collectible Asian Mughal Artifact. Add a touch of cultural and historical significance to your collection with this antique Indian Sarota or...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Indian Folk Art Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Small Betel Nut Box, Maranao, Southern Philippines (Mindanao)
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Small Betel Nut Box, Maranao, Southern Philippines (Mindanao). Bronze with bordered silver inlay design overall of a symmetrical floral tendril vine pattern referred to as “the okir ...
Category

Early 20th Century Philippine Tribal Metalwork

Materials

Silver, Bronze

Recently Viewed

View All