Indian Octagonal Brass Betel Nut Box - Circa 1920

This beautiful Indian brass box was used for storage of betel nut & paan leaves in old Northern India - circa 1920's. Paan is a preparation, which combines a paste of spices in a betel leaf, which is chewed for its stimulant and psychoactive effects.  After chewing it is either spat out or swallowed. Paan has many variations. Slaked lime (chunam) paste is commonly added to bind the leaves. The skilled Paan maker is known as a paanwala in North India.

These boxes are often called 'supari boxes' in India which is a generic trademark as one of the first instances of mass sold betel nut was by the company Paan Supari. 

Paan boxes are found across Asia and due to the wide variety of styles and designs, they have become very popular with collectors. They're perfect for storing jewelry or as a desk tidy. 

From Java

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