Large Brass Jali Paan Box From India - Early 20thC Period - Edo Elm Bench from Shanxi Province

Elm Bench from Shanxi Province - Ca 100 Yrs Old

Internal dimensions:

163 x 46 x 79 (w x d x h cms)

Also known as the 'Monster of Greed' (T'ao t'ieh in Chinese)

Large Brass Jali Paan Box From India - Early 20thC Period - Edo Elm Bench from Shanxi ProvinceThese Indian brass boxes were used for the storage of paan leaves. Paan is a preparation, which combines a paste of spices in a betel leaf, which is chewed for its stimulant and psychoactive effects. After chewing it is either spat out or swallowed. Paan has many variations. Slaked lime (chunam) paste is commonly added to bind the leaves. The skilled paan maker is known as a paanwala in North India. This usually large old jali work Paan box will make