A China Straits gold betel nut box, probably Indonesian or Malay, 19th century

the box of pumpkin form raised on a scalloped circular foot, the lobed sides chased in relief with panels of ornate floral sprays, engraved stylised lily borders, the cover surmounted by a stylised lily finial, chain attachment to cover and base

By tradition this piece was given during the 19th century to the present owner's ancestors in Batavia (Indonesia).

Unmarked. The cover does not sit well to the body (overhangs), with some bruising to the rim of the body. The rim of the foot is also upturned slightly in one place. Support chain between cover and body is absent. The decoration is in good crisp condition.
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The Dutch, who were present in Batavia from around 1619, lost little time in establishing a station of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). These new arrivals were quick to espouse local habits and to ingratiate themselves into the culture of their new colony. The Javanese habit of chewing betel was enthusiastically adopted by these Dutch expatriates who in turn commissioned exquisite boxes to hold the nut and its accompaniments. They realised early on how it was an essential part of hospitality with the indigenous rulers and quickly incorporated betel usage in their dealings with local elites.

The fashion for luxurious betel accoutrements and other finery saw Jacob Mossel, the governor-general in Batavia (1750-61), issue a decree in 1754 stating that only the
wives and widows of the governor-general, the director-general, and the president of the Justice Council were permitted to use gold or silver betel boxes adorned with precious stones, (Zandvlieyt, 2002, p. 206). An example such as the present, although not gem-set, but crafted in high-grade gold, would certainly have only been commissioned by a wealthy or Royal patron. It was also considered at the time, in Asia, that items in gold or silver-gilt were to be used predominantly in state or Royal function.

This box would have been part of a lavish betel nut set or Kinangan. Alongside the betel/areca box, a complete set would feature a leaf holder, betel shears (cutters), as well as further containers for lime and other accompaniments. The set would either rest on a footed dish or in a casket, sometimes of mounted tortoiseshell or ivory. 

The actual areca nut, as it is known before being wrapped, comes from the areca palm tree. Typically, it is sliced, mixed with lime and then wrapped up in a betel creeper leaf and chewed. The lime reacts with compounds in the nut to produce alkaloids which give a mild narcotic effect, similar to the effect of nicotine. Large amounts of red saliva are also produced which chewers spit out.