Red Lacquer Betel Box, c. 1900

In many southeast Asian cultures, offering guests a betel quid to chew was the fundamental symbol of hospitality. A blend of leaves, nuts, seasonings, and sometimes tobacco, betel was kept in finely worked and decorated boxes. This round betel box...

This ornate Indian betel nut box dates back to the early 20th century. Known in India as a paan daan, this box was used in the ritual of chewing betel nut or paan, a practice that da...

No self-respecting man in Qing-dynasty China would leave the house without some kind of hat. In fact, headgear was so central to social status that even the containers used to store ...

This early 20th century painted box was originally used as a portable traveling container, especially used for meals, snacks, and food offerings. The wooden box is crafted with eight sides, a lucky number believed to bring prosperity. Brushed atop layers of red and black lacquer, gilt linework decorates the sides with scrollwork, ruyi, and chrysanthemums, symbols of autumn and longevity. The lid is painted with a young boy carrying a lantern, conveying a blessing of abundance. Dense with symbolism, this painted carrying box...

This simple lacquered box is a 19th century snack box, presented as a gift during holidays and special occasions. To the delight of the recipients, the unassuming box would have open...

This simple lacquered container was once a portable snack box, presented as a gift during holidays and special occasions. To the delight of the recipients, the unassuming box would h...

The vermillion lacquered cylindrical body decorated overall with repeating bands of curvilinear geometric motifs, the cover lifting to reveal both of its original trays intended to h...

Burmese antique lacquerware betel box. Individual Betel Box authentic Burmese Folk Art know as Kun- It, Mandalay Period. A lacquered cylindrical body of woven turned Bamboo decorated by incised lacquer overall with Chu-pan variant motif and traditional Folk Art characters. This Betel Box has four bowls that make up the entire box. This is a complete Burmese Lacquerware Betel Box. Each bowl has a purpose. The top and base work as large containers and two shallow dishes work as small bowls. The workmanship is very unique having exquisite height details to the bottom of the base container and the two shallow bowls showcasing a complex design to the weaving. Antique Burmese Lacquerware is highly collectible, having books written on this Folk Art with museums having collections and exhibits of same. A very nice antique Burmese Betel Box...

Betel Nut is consumed on a daily basis in a large portion of the Indonesian Archipelago. In Java, betel nut was offered as a sign of respect and hospitality when people would visit o...

Betel Nut is consumed on a daily basis in a large portion of the Indonesian Archipelago. In Java, betel nut was offered as a sign of respect and hospitality when people would visit o...

Betel Nut is consumed on a daily basis in a large portion of the Indonesian Archipelago. In Java, betel nut was offered as a sign of respect and hospitality when people would visit o...

Japanese lacquer box 1900 decorated with sparrows, gold lacquer on a black background of very good quality, good general condition. The dimensio...