Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
South Asia Gallery, Room 41

Lime Box

early 18th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Lime was one of the ingredients used to make pan, which is a small leaf-pouch containing chopped betelnut and spices. It is chewed after meals and traditionally, has been offered at the end of a visit. The vessels containing the ingredients, the finished pouches or both are often highly decorated and at the courtly level were made of the most expensive materials. This box is made using the technique known as bidri, consisting of a zinc alloy with a blackened surface, that originated in the Deccan.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Domestic Bidri ware inlaid with silver
Brief description
Lime box, domestic bidri ware, Deccan or South India
Physical description
Bidri container in the form of a mango, inlaid with silver.
Dimensions
  • Height: 5.5cm
  • Diameter: 8.2cm
Gallery label
LIME BOX: Lime was one of the ingredients used to make pan, which is a small leaf-pouch containing chopped betelnut and spices. It is chewed after meals and traditionally, has been offered at the end of a visit. The vessels containing the ingredients, the finished pouches or both are often highly decorated and at the courtly level were made of the most expensive materials. LIME BOX Bidri inlaid with silver Deccan Early 18th century IS.84-1987 Lime was one of the ingredients used to make pan, which is a small leaf-pouch containing chopped betel-nut and spices. It is chewed after meals and, traditionally, was offered at the end of a visit. The vessels containing the ingredients, the finished pouches, or both, are often highly decorated and at a courtly level were made of the most expensive materials.(27/9/2013)
Object history
Bought from Michael and Jane Dunn, New York, in 1987 (87/807
Summary
Lime was one of the ingredients used to make pan, which is a small leaf-pouch containing chopped betelnut and spices. It is chewed after meals and traditionally, has been offered at the end of a visit. The vessels containing the ingredients, the finished pouches or both are often highly decorated and at the courtly level were made of the most expensive materials. This box is made using the technique known as bidri, consisting of a zinc alloy with a blackened surface, that originated in the Deccan.
Collection
Accession number
IS.84-1987

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Record createdApril 24, 2008
Record URL
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