Silver Betel Container, Shan Burmese

Silver Betel Box

This solid silver betel container, of cylindrical form, was used to hold a betel set, as well as the leaves and nuts used to prepare a betel quid. It comprises two parts – a base and a cover. Both have high walls and the base slides into the cover. The cover is finely and densely chased on the top and again on the sides with twelve Burmese-Shan zodiac emblems within cartouches and surrounded by scrolling foliage, and all within borders of scrolling foliage interspersed with animals.

The base is engraved with a roundel that features cartouches decorated with the eight symbols of the days of the week (Wednesday is separated into two parts and so has two emblems). The side is also marked with punchwork that gives a relatively lengthy inscription in Burmese script.

At almost one kilogram of silver, the box has a good weight, and feels unexpectedly heavy in the hand.

The Shan States comprise almost a quarter of the territory of modern Burma. Today they are combined into one unitary Shan State for administrative purposes, but in the past comprised more than forty small feudal-like states ruled by Shan princes who had the title ‘Saopha’ or ‘Sawbwa’.

Among the Shan States, Keng Tung and Lai-Kha, were particularly well known for the quality of their silver smithing.

Conway, S.,

The Shan: Culture, Arts & Crafts, River Books, 2006.

Private collection, France