INDIAN BETEL NUT CASE

Ancient 15th-16th century example. Cast bronze, 7 ¼” height in two main pieces, the case and hinged lid with locking loop and a swivel-mounted suspension chain. The case with hand-scribed chevron bands. The lower case and lid banded with a circle chain infill. Worn and with dark patina throughout. The inside with white lime build up. Betel nut is chewed by a significant proportion of Indian adults for its psychoactive effect which produces a burst of energy and sense of euphoria. It is wrapped with lime in piper betle vine leaves and chewed. This case would have contained the three components with the residue of the lime remaining.