Betel Box (Teluok) | Yale University Art Gallery

19th century

On view, 3rd floor, Indo-Pacific Art

Elaborately decorated betel implements may indicate status. Betel is a mild narcotic used throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific. A small bundle of chopped betel nut (the fruit of the areca palm), the fruit or leaf of a betel pepper (Piper betle, not botanically related to the areca palm), and lime is known as a “betel quid” and is chewed on all social occasions. The containers that hold the betel quid—like this example—are often ornately decorated and function as personal or household treasures.

Medium: Wood with mother-of-pearl, beads, and cotton
Dimensions: 6 1/2 × 2 5/16 × 1 3/8 in. (16.5 × 5.8 × 3.5 cm)
base: 2 5/8 × 2 9/16 × 6 1/2 in. (6.6 × 6.5 × 16.5 cm)
Credit Line: Promised gift of Thomas Jaffe, B.A. 1971
Loan number: ILE2012.30.359
Geography: Made in Pantar, Indonesia
Culture: Pantar
Period: 19th century
Classification: Containers
Disclaimer: Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Provenance

Ex-collection: B. Frank, New York

Object copyright

No Copyright - United States

Additional information

Object/Work type

boxes (containers)

Technical metadata and APIs

IIIF: Open in Mirador

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