Bhutanese Chased Silver Betel Box

This high-grade silver box of flattened, spherical form would have served as a betel box. It is of the form used by the nobility in Bhutan, although the sides have been chased with roundels filled with the Indian zodiac, suggesting that unusually, this betel box is from the Bhutan-Indian border areas.

The purity of the silver used in its construction is unusual, indeed, the silver is likely to be more pure than sterling grade.

The box comprises the base, and the domed cover. The cover is particularly attractive, with its tiered or stepped top. The central part of the cover appears modelled on the form of a Bhutanese lime container.

The base has been engraved with the initials ‘E.W.K.’ – most probably the initials of a British soldier or colonial administrator who would have visited the region in the early 20th century where he acquired the box.

The form of boxes such as these seems based on that of the large Chinese cinnabar lacquer circular ‘Dragon’ boxes and covers, that date to the 18th century, and earlier.

Betel or paan was chewed in Bhutan as it was (and in some cases, still is) in India and Southeast Asia. The actual nut comes from a certain palm tree which was sliced, wrapped in a betel leaf along with powdered lime (usually obtained from crushed, burned seashells or coral) and chewed to give a mild narcotic effect.

The box here is in fine condition. It has obvious age and excellent patina. It is a highly unusual example.