{"id":5591383900310,"title":"Antique Chinese Silver Octagonal Betel Box, Chinese Straits – Late 19th Century","handle":"antique-chinese-silver-octagonal-betel-box-chinese-straits-late-19th-century","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis exceptionally fine and large octagonal betel box or container weighs over two kilograms and is an important example of silverwork from the Straits region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe box has an octagonal base and is covered by an octagonal lid with spherical knob. It is of bellied form  with alternating geometric and intricately chased floral panels. There are eight large and finely engraved vase shaped panels to the sides, each surrounded by a thin rope border and set against a background of plain silver. The lid is also covered with a profusion of foliate engraving, possibly representing acanthus leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe subjects of the eight principal panels have been finely engraved and executed with skill and artistry. Subjects include:-  a squirrel with grapes and vine leaves – a favourite motif from the Tang Dynasty; a dragon chasing the flaming pearl; a bird amongst bamboo; flowers and foliage and a fire breathing dragon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lid can be lifted off completely. When removed from the box it becomes a useful tray and the deep recess could be used to hold containers for Betel leaves, Betel nuts, cutters and associated paraphernalia. Alternatively, it could also have been used as a receptacle to hold the discarded shells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA similar Betel Container was exhibited at the Malay Silver Exhibition, The Victoria and Albert Museum, London 2013\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003eWeight 2134 grams, Height 12 cms, Diameter 18.5 cms\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003eItem: #332\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2020-08-09T13:40:40+01:00","created_at":"2020-08-09T13:40:39+01:00","vendor":"Joseph Cohen Antiques","type":"Betel Box","tags":["Sold Archive"],"price":0,"price_min":0,"price_max":0,"available":false,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":35684118102166,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default 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exceptionally fine and large octagonal betel box or container weighs over two kilograms and is an important example of silverwork from the Straits region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe box has an octagonal base and is covered by an octagonal lid with spherical knob. It is of bellied form  with alternating geometric and intricately chased floral panels. There are eight large and finely engraved vase shaped panels to the sides, each surrounded by a thin rope border and set against a background of plain silver. The lid is also covered with a profusion of foliate engraving, possibly representing acanthus leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe subjects of the eight principal panels have been finely engraved and executed with skill and artistry. Subjects include:-  a squirrel with grapes and vine leaves – a favourite motif from the Tang Dynasty; a dragon chasing the flaming pearl; a bird amongst bamboo; flowers and foliage and a fire breathing dragon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lid can be lifted off completely. When removed from the box it becomes a useful tray and the deep recess could be used to hold containers for Betel leaves, Betel nuts, cutters and associated paraphernalia. Alternatively, it could also have been used as a receptacle to hold the discarded shells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA similar Betel Container was exhibited at the Malay Silver Exhibition, The Victoria and Albert Museum, London 2013\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003eWeight 2134 grams, Height 12 cms, Diameter 18.5 cms\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003eItem: #332\u003c\/p\u003e"}