Philippines Silver Inlay Betel Nut Box

This is a fine example of an early 20th C rectangular bronze betal nut box with beautiful and elaborate silver inlay from Mindanao in the Philippines. The box has a handle on each side and has four compartments inside with silver inlaid lids to hold the four ingredients necessary for the betal nut chew, the areca nut, betel piper vine leaves, lime and tobacco leafs. These boxes come from the Maranaw, an Islamic people living in Mindanao. Philippines: circa 1900

width

8 in.

height

4 in.

depth

4 in.

Circa 1900