Borneo Malay Brass Betel Box

Unusual, Large, Octagonal Brass Betel (Sirih) Box

This very unusual large, octagonal box would have been used to hold betel or sirih. Its form and decoration is based on an Indian Mughal pandan, also for holding paan or betel. A product of the Islamic Malay people on Borneo, it shows clear influence from trade and the haj routes from Southeast Asia to northern India.

The lid si domed and hinged. The lid and all eight sides are finely decorated with panels of scrollwork and fish-scale motifs, all created via the lost wax method of casting.

The box is in fine condition and has a dark-chocolate patina.

This is the first time that we have seen a Sarawak box like this.

Singh, B., Malay Brassware, National Museum of Singapore, 1985.

private collection, UK