Burmese Lacquer Betel Box 01

This is a Burmese red, black and green lacquerware paan or betel (kun-it) box - a traditional item of hospitality in Burmese homes used to offer to visitors. On the lid is a central medallion featuring a displaying peacock (u-daung) design, which in Burma is a symbol of the sun. Around this are three parakeets in foliate. In Burma, parakeets are a symbol of love. The same parakeet design is repeated around the sides, and even on the base. Above this are three panels in Burmese script which is probably the master craftsman’s name, and where it was made. On the side are the initials C.V. added later - this was done because Chettiars typically belonged to large joint families, with each branch of the family owning very similar objects of their diasporic heritage. It was important to etch their belongings (valuable or utilitarian) with initials, clearly indicating ownership.
Boxes like this were used to contain the ingredients to make paan, which in its basic form consists of slices of betel nut mixed with lime paste wrapped in betel leaf. The two trays in the box would contain these ingredients, or even coconut, saffron, fragrant spices or rose preserves for more special paan preparations. “A maze of sumptuary laws decreed the size, the extent of decoration, and the material permitted for the betel boxes of the various grades of courtiers” says Sylvia Fraser-Lu. Similar Burmese paan boxes can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. (Ref: Pages 68, 69, and 92 of the book ‘Burmese Lacquerware’ by Sylvia Fraser-Lu.)

Pages 68, 69, and 92 of the book ‘Burmese Lacquerware’ by Sylvia Fraser-Lu.)