Silver Betel Box (Chelpa)

The hinged silver octagonal box shown here were used by the Malays to hold tobacco or betel nut (sirih). This example is decorated with chasing, engraving and punch work with Islamic inspired palmettos on one side and repeated Chinese inspired plum blossom motifs on the other, neatly encapsulating two significant influences on traditional Malay culture: Islamic and Chinese tendencies. It is believed that the form of these boxes is based on the form of pocket watches used by 17th, 18th and 19th century European gentlemen who came to Asia as traders and colonialists. Often they were worn attached to a scarf or kerchief draped over the shoulder.

Do check out my previous blogs about the betel nut paraphernalia.

Islamic inspired palmettos motifs.

Chinese inspired plum blossom motifs.