‘Sireh’ metal container

Peranakan Chinese, in particular the older womenfolk, were fond of chewing betel leaves (‘duan sireh’ in Malay). Offering someone betel leaf was an invitation, an act of friendliness or a token of an agreement. The leaves are usually eaten after a meal with a lime paste spread and sprinkled with shaved betel nut. This metal container, which comes with a lid, is used for holding betel leaves, powdered gambier, lime or sliced betel nuts. A sireh box set usually has four such containers. The set also comes with a pair of shears used for cutting betel nuts.

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‘Sireh’ metal container

'Sireh’ metal container

‘Sireh’ metal container lid

‘Sireh’ metal container lid