Public domain
Small silver box and betel nut cutter
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Silver filigree objects were made especially in Sumatra, but also in Batavia (now Jakarta). These items were popular among the Dutch in Asia. These dragon-headed scissors were used to cut off pieces of a betel nut, which were then finely ground and folded with other ingredients into a leaf of the sirih (betel) plant. Like chewing tobacco, this betel nut mix was a popular stimulant.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionSubjects
Credit lineKleine zilveren doos en pinangschaar. c. 1700 - c. 1710. anonymous. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
