Not currently on display at the V&A

Betel Box

before 1855 (made)
Place of origin

Small red cylindrical box with slip over cover and 2 nesting trays.

Decorated in gold, green and black in the Yothe (figure) pattern.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Fine woven bamboo covered in thitsi lacquer and engraved in the Pagan Yun technique.
Brief description
Burmese red bamboo and lacquer personal betel box. Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885). Decorated in gold, green and black in the yothe' (figure) pattern. ca. before 1855.
Physical description
Small red cylindrical box with slip over cover and 2 nesting trays.

Decorated in gold, green and black in the Yothe (figure) pattern.
Dimensions
  • Height: 7cm
  • Diameter: 9cm
Style
Object history
Transferred from the India Museum in 1879. 1880 Register Entry: [Room 8. Case 36- continued.] '01,326. TEA CASES and covers. Bamboo and lacquer, three, circular, each containing a tray painted; Burmah. 4,378'
Production
Attribution note: Personal betel box (previously considered a tea case). The large box would contain the betel leaves; medium box/tray contained the cut up betel nut; small box/tray contained a set of silver or bamboo basket-work containers in which were kept cloves, tobacco, snuff and citrus peel.
Associated object
01331(IS) (Shared Other number)
Other number
4387 - India Museum Slip Book
Collection
Accession number
01326(IS)

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Record createdOctober 3, 2000
Record URL
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