A place where all the things that delight me. In France, Bernard Palissy had a cabinet of curiosities, which he mentions in his discourse on the nature of waters and fountains in1580: he had set it up in order to gather evidences that fossils were, according to him, animal debris. The famous cabinet of curiosity were born.

A cabinet of curiosities – or Wunderkammer – stored and exhibited a wide variety of objects and artifacts, with a particular leaning towards the rare, eclectic and esoteric. Through the selection of objects, they told a particular story about the world and its history.

Betel quid is a popular and cultural significant practice in many parts of South Asia, where people chew a combination of betel leaf, areca nut, slaked lime and various flavourings which I have treated here in ‘Petit cabinet De Curiosities’ – a brass betel box, also known as paan-daan, is a traditional India container used to store betel leaves and related items used in the chewing of betel quid. I have made this traditional brass betel box following the Mughal culture, is a stylish and functional addition to your home for decorative purpose also.

Purely hand made with premium quality brass, it features a smooth finish and intricate detailing for an elegant look with large capacity for keeping your betel leaves safe and organized. They typically consist of multiple compartments needed for betel chewing with betel nut cutter and lime stick.

The act of offering guests, betel leaves and nuts from betel box is a common tradition in many Indian households and is seen as a sign of hospitality. Where the practice of chewing betel quid has cultural and social significance in many South Asian communities and is often associated with rituals, ceremonies and social gatherings.

As I am willing to revive this traditional culture of betel quid and to popularise this culture in our society, I have developed this hand made brass betel box including nut cutter and lime stick in ‘Lost-wax’ process and if people will love it and start to chew betel leaf by following this cultural heritage of India, I am sure, it will be a new beginning.

Size (cms)– Dia – 28, Ht – 19, Wt – 5.15 kgs. Metal – Brass.