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Small Silver Betel Box, Vietnam browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques:Regional Art:Asian:Southeast Asian:Metalwork: Pre 1900: item # 163390 Please refer to our stock # 02-58 when inquiring.
Silk Road Gallery PO Box 2175 Branford, Connecticut 06405, USA (203) 208-0771 Guest Book $195 |
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| A finely worked dragon coils around the top of the lid of this small silver Vietnamese betel box. A tortoise, a chilin (mythical lion-like animal), a phoenix, and another dragon, all of them icons used throughout Asia, particularly in China, each fill a cartouche on the side of the lid. The bottom surface is centered with the Chinese character for double happiness. This small container most likely held lip balm, often included in betel nut paraphernalia because betel chewing tends to dry the lips. (For more information about utensils and cultural practices associated with chewing betel, please read our catalogue descriptions of silver betel boxes from Laos and Cambodia.) A lovely little example of Vietnamese silver work, this 19th century pomade box is in good condition and shows its age with only slight damage around the bottom of the lid and a few small dents on the bottom surface. Dimensions: height 1 1/8" (3 cm), diameter 2" (5 cm). | |||||||||||
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