Tinned Copper Paan Dan Box From Kashmir - 19th Century

This style of paan dan box is typically from Kashmir and is made from tinned copper. These beautiful boxes are works of art. They're hand etched and beaten by skilled craftmen. This box dates to the 19th century and would have been used for the storage of paan leaves. Boxes like this one are often called paan dan boxes. Paan is a preparation, which combines a paste of spices in a betel leaf, which is chewed for its stimulant and psychoactive effects. 

This old Paan box will make a perfect trinket box or desk tidy. It's particularly rare now to find Kashmiri paan dan where the tinning hasn't worn away. You can see visible wear on the edges which adds to its charm.