Bhutanese Lime Betel Box
Parcel-Gilt Engraved Silver Covered Lime Box
Bhutan
early 20th century
diameter: 5cm, height: 3.2cm, weight: 81g
Bhutan has a culture of betel chewing in the manner of India and Southeast Asia. Lime is an integral part of the betel quid. Bhutanese mean would have carried a container such as this in their robes or attached to their belt, which held powdered lime.
The container is in two halves which are kept together by two ringlets. The interior contains lime residue. The domed lid is engraved with floral and stylised cloud motifs incorporated within scrolling leaf motifs which cleverly combine to make a double
vajra motif amid all the foliage work. The cloud and flower motifs have gold highlights. The sides are engraved with scrolling foliate and floral work, again with gold highlights. The based is etched with a leaf and stem design against a ring-mat ground.
An example of a Bhutanese domed silver lime container is illustrated in Myers & Bean (1994, p. 123).
Overall, this is a fine, small piece, nicely engraved and made all the more attractive with the parcel gilding.
References
Myers, D., and S. Bean (eds), From the Land of the Thunder Dragon: Textile Arts of Bhutan, Serindia, 1994.
Provenance
UK art market.
Inventory no.: 1103
SOLD