This brass box or ‘pandan’ was used to store the leaf pouches containing areca nut (also called betel nut), lime and aromatic spices. The boxes used to store them are often seen in Mughal paintings depicting courtly entertainments, and were made in precious metals and hardstones like jade and crystal as well as decorated base metals. This box was made in the 18th century, in northern India. The golden metal alloy has been raised into a circular box with domed cover, both with vertical ribs that are engraved with floral motifs on scrolling lines. It was bought for the museum during a purchasing trip made to India by Caspar Purdon Clarke, who described it as having been made in Moradabad (present-day Uttar Pradesh), though this may simply have been where he acquired it.