Betel Box

This large, circular betel container of brass has a number of perforated medallions all over its body and the lid. The container has an ornate latch hinged to the lid, a handle affixed on the top and eight small foot-holds at the bottom.
Consuming betel leaves with several ingredients such as wet lime paste, katechu, areca nut, cloves and even tobacco leaves has been popular in India atleast from the fourth century AD. This particular box with its large size and crescent moon medallions indicates that it came from a large aristocratic Islamic family.