Title
Betel leaf holder (bekas sirih)
Year/Period
mid–late 17th century
Region
Batavia (Jakarta)
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 13.7 x 10.5 x 4.7 cm
Accession No.
2023-00037
Collection of
This betel leaf receptacle is chased in high relief on both sides with large floral sprays, a decorative feature of 17th century Dutch silverwork. This style of floral decoration was adapted by silversmiths and furniture makers working on the Coromandel Coast and in Batavia (Jakarta). This receptacle was intended to hold betel leaves and would generally be accompanied by a nut cutter and other containers for areca nut, gambier and lime. Betel chewing was a widespread habit in the Malay-Indonesian archipelago and an important marker of social etiquette.
