Set for betel ingredients

This wooden box contains six silver receptacles to hold the various ingredients for betel-chewing. These ingredients are the leaf of the betel vine (sirih) (Piper bitle), the nut of the areca (pinang) palm (Areca catechu) and a little lime. Gambir (Uncaria gambir), a plant extract, and tobacco are both potential additions to the basic elements of the betel quid. For enjoyment as a stimulant, ingredients for the betel quid were offered to guests as a sign of welcome and token of politeness. It is still a confirmation of relationships, particularly in ritual contexts. A betel set was often part of the most valuable inherited items, pusaka, because of its association with the ancestors.
The custom of betel chewing was widespread in Indonesia, and was also widely adopted by the Chinese communities. Among the Straits Chinese the offering of betel opened wedding negotiations and a betel set also played a role in other rituals concerning marriage. Although the form of the silver containers in this betel set do not differ from a Javanese betel set, the decorative motifs in the form of the eight immortals and animals which represent sky, land and water, are clearly Chinese. They are auspicious motifs, related to Chinese symbols of protection and good fortune.
Java; early 20th century; wood, silver