Khmer Silver Singha Betelnut Box
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Pre 1920 item# 888007 (stock# 02-65)
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Silk Road Gallery
(203) 208-0771
$900
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A two-part silver box in the traditional Khmer motif of a singha, a mythical lion, is covered with swirling lines simulating fur, and has a fat pouf of a tail swung up over its broad back. Though it has the open jaw and flattened ears of a protector, its aura is more friendly than fierce. With a weight of 538 grams, this box is relatively large compared with other such boxes in the genre of handmade Khmer silver pieces found in the shapes of myriad birds and animals. (See the article “Khmer Silv ...click for details
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Bronze Burmese Pagoda Bell
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Pre 1900 item# 850952 (stock# 64-08)
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Silk Road Gallery
(203) 208-0771
$330
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This late 19th century bronze bell is cast in the manner of the much larger bells that are prominent features in Buddhist temples and monasteries throughout Burma. It hangs from a metal crossbar that also supports a U-shaped handle flanked with “to-naya” (snake-like dragons) that match those on the bell hanger. This relatively small bell (eight inches in height) has a clapper, unlike the huge bells that weigh a ton or more and are struck on the outside with a wooden mallet. In spite of its size, ...click for details
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Silver Repousse' Betel Box, Laos
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Pre 1800 item# 172321 (stock# 02-60)
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Silk Road Gallery
(203) 208-0771
$550
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The craftsmanship of this 18th century Lao repousse' box is typical of those items associated with betel nut chewing that were handed down from generation to generation. Relief designs on the container, made of 95% pure silver, are worn in areas of the lid and bottom where its owners would have handled it to offer betel leaves to guests as part of the socially important ritual of assembling and chewing betel. With its high sides and deep, close-fitting lid, the box was designed to keep the b ...click for details
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Small Silver Betel Box, Vietnam
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Pre 1900 item# 163390 (stock# 02-58)
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Silk Road Gallery
(203) 208-0771
$195
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A finely worked dragon coils around the top of the lid of this small silver Vietnamese betel box. A tortoise, a chilin (mythical lion-like animal), a phoenix, and another dragon, all of them icons used throughout Asia, particularly in China, each fill a cartouche on the side of the lid. The bottom surface is centered with the Chinese character for double happiness. This small container most likely held lip balm, often included in betel nut paraphernalia because betel chewing tends to dry the lip ...click for details
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Silver Half Circle Betel Box, Laos
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Pre 1800 item# 162142 (stock# 02-59)
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Silk Road Gallery
(203) 208-0771
$595
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Unusual because of its shape and hinged lid, this 18th century silver container from Laos was used to carry an ingredient--probably a spice--for assembling a quid of betel. The utensils used in betel chewing are among the finest works of art from the southeast Asian countries where betelnut was an important part of the culture. Betel containers demonstrate interesting differences in aesthetic preferences among countries and groups within countries. Silver betel utensils were favored in Laos, Camb ...click for details
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