Indian Brass Paan Box From Rajasthan - Early 20thC Material - Porcelain This striking red lacquer pot

This striking red lacquer pot originates from Uttar Pradesh in northern India and dates to the early 20th century

86 x 4 x 163 (wxdxh cms)

2cm with 4cm drop

This vintage painted Chinese trunk is known as an Opera Chest and originates from Shanxi Province and dates from the late 19th century

Indian Brass Paan Box From Rajasthan - Early 20thC Material - Porcelain This striking red lacquer potThis pretty antique Indian brass box was used for the storage of paan leaves and dates to the early 20th century. Paan is a preparation, which combines a paste of spices in a betel leaf, which is chewed for its stimulant and psychoactive effects. After chewing it is either spat out or swallowed. Paan has many variations. Slaked lime (chunam) paste is commonly added to bind the leaves. The skilled Paan maker is known as a paanwala in North India.