Sireh Box

This richly ornamented box, also known as a 'cembul', refers to any circular receptacle with a tightly fitted lid or a round, globular container divided to form two tight concave parts. These small boxes were devised to hold tobacco along with sliced areca nuts so that the user did not have to carry the whole sireh set with them.

Betel chewing was practised throughout the Malay Archipelago for centuries, and was common to all social classes. The practice remained popular until the mid 20th century. People chewed betel for its mildly narcotic effects and as a social activity. Betel chewing played a vital part in every important ceremony – from weddings to funerals.

Do browse my previous posts for all the other betel-related antiques.

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

Antique Chinese Lacquer Pillow

Pillow is used as a support of the body at rest for comfort, therapy or decoration.

Chinese pillows were traditionally solid, though sometimes used with a softer fabric over them. Over many Chinese dynasties, pillows were made from a wide range of materials including bamboo, jade, porcelain, wood and bronze. The Chinese decorated their pillows by making them different shapes and painting pictures of animals, humans and plants on them.

Pictures below showing the antique Chinese lacquer pillow commonly used to compliment the opium bed.

Length : 25cm, Width : 14cm, Height : 10cm

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3