Betel box

Title

Betel box

Year/Period

1900

Region

Bagan, Myanmar

Object Type

betel nut receptacles

Material

bamboo (material), lacquer (material), pigment

Technique

lacquering, weaving, incising, weft patterning

Dimension

Object size: H:21.3 x D:23.5 cm

Accession No.

1992-00737

Collection of

Asian Civilisations Museum

This 'kun-yit' or betelnut container has very fine incised decoration (also known as 'yun' work). The design consists of roundels with zodiac animal motifs. Betelnut-chewing is an important tradition in Burmese society, and such containers had a special place in households during the New Year celebrations, and other special occasions.Kun-it is the most popular type of lacquerware in Myanmar. It is cylindrical in form, made of woven bamboo and the interior is fitted with one or two shallow trays to hold the ingredients for a betel chew. A deep cover sits on the sides to keep the contents fresh.