Petite Red Lacquer Betel Box

c. 1900
$188 USD
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Dimensions
H: 1.5" Dia: 3.0"
Materials
Wood
Lacquer
Purchase Quantity
Collection #
CBH053C
Estimated Shipping
$20

In many southeast Asian cultures, offering guests a betel quid to chew was the fundamental symbol of hospitality. A blend of leaves, nuts, seasonings, and sometimes tobacco, betel was kept in finely worked and decorated boxes. This round betel box is painted with concentric circles of red, black, and yellow lacquer, delineated by finely etched lines that were likely once filled with gold pigment. The petite box is topped with a brass pull shaped like a flower and remains vibrant even after a century of use.

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Elizabeth Krueger | Elizabeth Krueger Design

“PAGODA RED was extremely supportive in helping to pull accessory options together for the Lake Forest Showhouse. After providing them with details and our vision on how we were looking to finish our space, Laurene helped curate options that made it easy for us to edit and finalize. It's also no surprise that the unique pieces we used in our showhouse space were some of the first to sell.”

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