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Secrets of Bali by Jonathan Copeland with
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Betel nut chewing is an ancient habit and common throughout Southeast Asia. It is recreational, a sign of hospitality and an important part of many ceremonies, but is now declining. The areca palm nut is wrapped in a betel nut leaf smeared with crushed lime - originally from sea shells - and sometimes tobacco and spices. The whole quid is chewed for hours and creates a feeling of well-being. Every ingredient has its own container. A person’s status can be identified by the materials and degree of decoration.
"When I went to London I saw South Pacific. I loved Bali Hai but was really surprised when the men sang: Bloody Mary is the girl I love.
Her skin is tender as Dimaggio's
glove. Bloody Mary's chewin' betel nuts.
Ni Wayan Murni
To order: make sure pop ups are allowed.
Betel Set Background: Complete betel set, with tray. This superb and attractive set would have been owned by a Thai prince or royal family.
Betel Set Background: Complete silver betel set, with tray, 3 containers in the shape of pumpkins with small gold handles, a bowl with decorated sides to mix the ingredients, a flattened leaf holder in Thai style with granulated motif, and a lime container in the shape of a stupa with traces of lime inside. This superb and attractive set would have been owned by a Thai prince or royal family.
Betel Box Background: Thai silversmiths are experts in relief work. This cylindrical, silver box displays skilled craftsmanship, impressive relief techniques and depth of design. Bold figures of flowers and possibly a crouching lion decorate the top. Fruit decorates the sides and geometric forms the base.
Lime Box Background: This oval box, showing traces of lime, displays skilled craftsmanship, impressive relief techniques and depth of design. The body and lid are decorated by small ledges. The top of the lid has a raised floral motif of fine quality. It is made of an alloy of different metals called pan ca, used in Chiang Mai province and bordering areas, and includes silver and copper, characterized by its black color. A similar one is shown in Betel and Miang, Vanishing Thai Habits, P.A. Reichart and H.P. Philipsen, White Lotus, 1996 page 84.
Betel Nut Container Background: Cambodian silversmiths excelled at small containers with delicate designs and workmanship inherited from their Khmer predecessors. The box is in the shape of a pumpkin and would have held betel nuts. On the top is a small cylindrical stem.
Betel Leaf Holder Background: This silver betel leaf holder has a flattened horn shape with an oval base and very skilful open work decoration with floral motifs on the front and back. This superb and attractive leaf holder would have been owned by a prince or royal family.
Betel Leaf Holder Background: This silver betel leaf holder is in the form of a horn of plenty, right-angled in cross-section with a trapezoid opening. On all four surfaces are decorations in repoussé technique with floral motifs and on the back a mythical animal. A similar one is shown in Betel and Miang, Vanishing Thai Habits, page 97. According to Betel Chewing Traditions in South-East Asia, Dawn Rooney, Oxford University Press, 1993 (page 61), they are only found in Laos.
Lime Container Background: Thai silversmiths are experts in relief work. This cylindrical, silver and horn lime container displays skilled craftsmanship, impressive relief techniques and depth of design. The overlapping lid and body are connected by braided silver wire. There are flower motifs in repoussé technique. The interior is covered by dried white lime. A similar one is shown in Betel and Miang, Vanishing Thai Habits, P.A. Reichart and H.P. Philipsen, White Lotus, 1996, page 76.
Lip Salve Container Background: Dawn Rooney in Betel Chewing Traditions in South-East Asia (page 55) quotes a European diplomat in 1871 after a dinner hosted by the Governor of Siem Reap, ‘there was music and dancing and then the Governor exhibited his betel-boxes and other paraphernalia…Articles included… a little silver box…containing a perfumed ointment, used by the native noblemen to anoint their lips and nostrils’. The salve resembles beeswax and is used to prevent stinging from the areca nut when chewing betel. A similar one is shown on page 56. It is made of silver and wood, possibly a nut. The body and lid are decorated by small ledges. The overlapping lid and body are connected by silver loops. The top of the lid has a raised floral motif of fine quality.
Offering Bowl
Incense Burner
Incense Burner
Lime Powder Container
Lime Powder Container
Lime Powder Container
Lime Powder Container
Lime Powder Container
Food Bowl
Lime Powder Box
Lime Powder Box
Medicine Box
Medicine Box
Medicine Box
Medicine Box
Lime Powder Container
Medicine Box
Lime Powder Box
Medicine Box
Food Bowl
Food Bowl
Food Bowl
Medicine Box
Medicine Box
Sumatra Bracelets (Pair)
Betel Nut Chewing
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