Southeast Asian Asian Art

19th C. Indonesian Betel Nut Cutter w/ Silver Handles

Origin: Indonesia, Java
Period: 19th century CE
Object: Betel Cutter
Materials: Iron, Silver
Dimensions: 7" L x 2.75" W (17.8 cm x 7 cm)
Catalogue: ASA-022

From the collector

A third betel nut cutter, complementing the pair (ASA-016) bought from the same sale. Same consignor: both carry the identical provenance chain back through a private Hawaii collection.

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Java, 19th century CE. An antique cutter for slicing betel nuts (areca nut) cast from iron with 57% silver sheets overlaid on the handles and the surface lightly etched with curvilinear motifs. The 2 iron pieces are in the form of a dragon, and hinged at the head- the upper is the blade and the lower stabilizes the nut. Chewing on this nut is addictive, yielding similar effects to chewing tobacco, and this practice was immensely popular from the 17th century to 19th century in India, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Africa. Size: 7" L x 2.75" W (17.8 cm x 7 cm); silver quality: 57%

Provenance

private Miami, Florida, USA collection; ex-Artemis Gallery; ex-private Hawaii collection, acquired 2000 to 2010 Photograph: Artemis Gallery.

Acquired

Artemis Gallery · 2026