Antique Indian betel nut box : a circular vessel featuring a lid entirely adorned with fine, hand-chased concentric decorative patterns. The piece is topped with a molded floral knob fitted with a carrying ring and secured by an original iron clasp.

Larger and sturdier than travel versions, this box held a place of honor in the home—resting on a low table or sideboard, ready to welcome guests—as the offering of *paan* was an act of hospitality as highly codified and meaningful as the tea ceremony. A remarkable and imposing piece that bears witness to Indian craftsmanship; it is eloquent in its simplicity and deeply rooted in the social fabric of the subcontinent.

Diameter: 17 cm / Height: 7 cm