Title
Betel nut cutters with mithuna couple
Year/Period
first half 19th century
Region
South India, Tamil Nadu
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 15 x 7.7 x 4 cm
Accession No.
2014-00542
Collection of
A charming betel nut cutter in the form of an amorous (mithuna) couple. Both figures are seated on scrolling leaf handles with lotus bud finials. Parrots, indicating love, are perched on the inside of the handles. As the cutters open the figures kiss, and as they close the male figure caresses the breast of the female.Such single blade cutters are used in the practice of betel nut chewing. The practice is thought to originate in Southeast Asia, dating back to prehistoric times. It is first mentioned in texts dating to early centuries AD. It migrated from there to India and is still a practice all over Asia and the Middle East.
