BETEL SET

Basketry, lacquer, painting.
Myanmar (Burma), middle of the 20th century.
Betel is a very popular drug in almost whole South and South-East Asia. Relatively recently smoking began to supersede betel chewing. A quid consists of betel leaf, areca nuts, lime and aromatic condiments. Betel sets

are very different depending

on local traditions of each

country. This one from Myanmar is made of basketry covered with lacquer, the technique which is especially high developed in that country.

MAP 9048, acquired in 1985.