Southeast Asian Tea Caddies

Beautiful handcrafted antique tinned copper decorative octagonal betel box with with lid, handle and brass latch. The metal is delicately and int...

A very rare example of a French mid-century modern silver plate and gold plate box by the iconic French fashion house, Hermès of Paris. A stunning design in silverplate with a gilde...

A scarce fine quality antique silver-inlaid solid brass betel nut box (Lutuan), dating to the second half of the 19th / early 20th century, hand-crafted in Mindanao, Philippines. Boxes such as this were used to store the areca nut (also known as the betel nut) which would be wrapped in a betel leaf with lime paste and other ingredients, often tobacco, for chewing. Similar to the European tea caddy, these boxes often served as a way to impress while showing off ones wealth. Betel chewing was prevalent in the southern Philippines as in much of the rest of Southeast Asia. Wealthier Maranao families on Mindanao were able to afford elaborate silver-inlaid brass betel boxes such as this example. Such boxes were used to show off to guests and from which they were offered betel and the other component such as leaves and lime to make up the betel quid. Rare large size, most extant examples of such boxes tend to measure around 5 inches in length. At slightly more than 7.75 inches the example here is larger than most. The distinctive decorative box features a very heavy strong-box like rectangular shaped chest form with canted corners, copper handles, and a conforming hinged lid, lifting open to reveal an interior divided into three compartments covered by four hinged lids. Each of these doors is inlaid with silver in stylized orchid flower patterns. Exceptionally executed throughout, the arabesque silver inlaid exterior is decorated to the top with a large orchid motif within scrolling obid-obid (stylized rope) borders. The front, back and sides are inlaid with sets of stylized tail feathers of the sari-manok bird beneath which are unusual, highly stylized whimsical zoomorphic faces that appear like cat or tiger faces. (Such stylisation is accounted for by Southeast Asian Islamic preferences to avoid the overt and this potentially idolatrous representation of animal and human forms. Designs such as these are drawn from a local design repertoire that has its origins in wood carving. Although the spread of Islam in the Philippines began in the 14th century, mostly through the influence of Muslim merchants from the western Malay Archipelago, decorative arts in this design remain exceptionally rare. This lutuan represents a fine example of Islamic metalwork from the most eastern outreach of Islamic art and civilisation: Mindanao island being significantly further east than even China – artwork from Islamic Southeast Asia remains chronically under-represented in the world’s major collections of Islamic art. PROVENANCE / ACQUISITION Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, established 1983, Austin, Texas. References Brownrigg, H., Betel Cutters...

Hermès Paris Ormolu and Carnelian Enamel Pill/Trinket Box, Made in France, circa 1960s–1980s A chic and finely crafted round Hermès Paris box in ormolu with a striking carnelian-red...

Designed by Hermès and executed by silversmith Ravinet d'Enfert & Cie, very rare exquisite rectangular hinge lidded box consisting of silver-plated ground adorned with central gold-p...

Here is a handsome and classic 1950s vintage Hermès cigarette box. Cigarette box is heavy and wrapped in leather. Cornucopia (Horn of Plenty) deco...

Artist/Designer: Hermes (French) Additional Information: cylindrical box has removable divider inside Marking(s); notes: marking(s) Country of origin; materials: France; metal, al...

Spectacular Maitland Smith style Baroque Revival Walnut wood polished painted large box with domed cover.

A fine antique English tea caddy. In mahogany veneer with a pine secondary with a red wash. With a stepped, lift lid top, a rectangular body, and bracket feet. Mounted with a bras...

An exquisite example of Burmese artistry, this palm-sized container dates to the late 19th century and was likely originally used as a betel box (kun-it). A blend of betel leaves, ar...

Beautiful vintage tea caddy or box. This vintage piece is rare and it is captivating. Octagonal in silver plated finish, this piece can have a variety of uses. This piece displays...

Burmese antique lacquerware betel box. Individual Betel Box authentic Burmese Folk Art know as Kun- It, Mandalay Period. A lacquered cylindrical body of woven turned Bamboo decorated by incised lacquer overall with Chu-pan variant motif and traditional Folk Art characters. This Betel Box has four bowls that make up the entire box. This is a complete Burmese Lacquerware Betel Box. Each bowl has a purpose. The top and base work as large containers and two shallow dishes work as small bowls. The workmanship is very unique having exquisite height details to the bottom of the base container and the two shallow bowls showcasing a complex design to the weaving. Antique Burmese Lacquerware is highly collectible, having books written on this Folk Art with museums having collections and exhibits of same. A very nice antique Burmese Betel Box...