19th Jun, 2025 12:00
Arts of India and the Islamic Lands
174
FOUR INDIAN BRASS BETEL NUT CRACKERS
Southern India, 20th century
FOUR INDIAN BRASS BETEL NUT CRACKERS
Southern India, 20th century
Comprising four finely cast and engraved brass betel nut crackers, each example featuring traditional Indian decorative motifs, including animal forms like elephants and parrots, the handles and blades adorned with intricate geometric and floral designs, these betel nut crackers, or paan sarota, were indispensable tools for slicing areca nut in preparation for paan, a centuries-old tradition across the Indian subcontinent, often associated with hospitality, ceremony, and social ritual, such objects were status symbols in elite homes and frequently given as gifts, the stylized ornamentation reflects the artistic diversity of regional Indian metalwork, appealing to collectors of South Asian antiques, ethnographic artefacts, and Asian decorative arts, highly sought after as vintage Indian collectables and unique examples of domestic brassware.
The longest 17cm
Estimated at £200 - £400
FOUR INDIAN BRASS BETEL NUT CRACKERS
Southern India, 20th century
Comprising four finely cast and engraved brass betel nut crackers, each example featuring traditional Indian decorative motifs, including animal forms like elephants and parrots, the handles and blades adorned with intricate geometric and floral designs, these betel nut crackers, or paan sarota, were indispensable tools for slicing areca nut in preparation for paan, a centuries-old tradition across the Indian subcontinent, often associated with hospitality, ceremony, and social ritual, such objects were status symbols in elite homes and frequently given as gifts, the stylized ornamentation reflects the artistic diversity of regional Indian metalwork, appealing to collectors of South Asian antiques, ethnographic artefacts, and Asian decorative arts, highly sought after as vintage Indian collectables and unique examples of domestic brassware.
The longest 17cm
Auction: Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, 19th Jun, 2025
Our specialist auction Arts of India and the Islamic Lands is now online for you to browse, peruse and fall in love with your next antique.
Among the highlights, this sale vaunts a remarkable selection of Rajput Schools paintings and an illustrated loose folio from a Timurid Haft Paykar series, all part of a private Canadian collection; several gem-studded Indian necklaces, treasured heirlooms of a local family; a notable group of Islamic manuscripts, including a geomantic tome attributed to the Nubian alchemist Dhul-Nun al-Misri; and several lots of Persian Qajar lacquer belonging to the heir of a British diplomatic family in office under Sir Denis Wright in Tehran between 1971 - 1973.
Our selected lots preview starts next week, on Tuesday 3rd June, and the full view is going to take place from Friday 13th June until the sale day.
Mark your calendars and come to see us!
Viewing
Viewing:
13th June - 10:00 - 17:00
14th June - 11:00 - 16:00
15th June - 11:00 - 16:00
16th June - 10:00 - 17:00
17th June - 10:00 - 17:00
18th June - 10:00 - 17:00
