A gorgeous late 19th century Burmese lacquer betal box. Wonderful rich cinibar accented by green and black hand painted patterned design. Beautiful decorate piece for storage with fabulous colour.
Cylindrical boxes such as this, called kun-it, were used to store ingredients needed for betel chewing-- once a common practice in southeast Asia, and central to social interaction, making the betel box an important object, offered to guests in a gesture of hospitality for them to select their preferred ingredients.
Measures 7.5" h x 8 1/4" w.