Blue and white betel box

This oval-shaped box features floral scrolls motifs framed by petal scrolls in underglaze blue, on the top of its cover and around its body. This box, known as ‘tutup tempat sireh’ (literally ‘covered betel box’) in Malay, was used in Southeast Asia to contain betel leaves or areca nuts. Betel is believed to have medicinal qualities that can heal wounds or cure illnesses.Jingdezhen is the best known ceramic production area in China. It started producing blue and white ware during the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) and became the capital of the Chinese ceramic industry during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Export wares catering to South-east Asian, European and Middle Eastern tastes were also produced at Jingdezhen.

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