This brass box decorated with floral scrolls belongs to a sireh or betel set. Betel nut sets were usually equipped with several implements to help prepare a betel quid. A set generally comprised a receptacle for holding betel leaves, an areca nut pounder, boxes for betel and tobacco, pots for storing 'gambier' (lime) and a piece of 'songket' (gold brocade cloth) for wrapping other ingredients such as cloves. These boxes contained all the ingredients for betel-chewing, except the lime, which was kept in a separate small box. A betel quid consists of a thin layer of slaked lime, thin shavings of areca nut and a betel leaf.Betel chewing was practised throughout the Malay Archipelago for centuries, and was common to all social classes. The practice remained popular until the mid 20th century. People chewed betel for its mildly narcotic effects and as a social activity. Betel chewing played a vital part in every important ceremony – from weddings to funerals.
