The flowers representing the four seasons of chinese influence on this pair of high quality silver cups are made by using the embossed and chased process. They are part of the betel-set that contains the ingredients for betel chewing,a mild stimulant which originated in India more than 2000 years ago .Shavings of the areca nut are mixed with lime paste and spices and are wrapped in a piper betel vine leaf. The offering of betel to visitors was an act of hospitality throughout S E Asia until the first world war. Betel paraphernalia include tobacco boxes, stem-cups, lime boxes, triangular betel leaves holder and iron-bladed scissors-like cutters. They are usually kept in a large box divided into two to three compartments.

Weight: 65g combined

A pair of incised and embossed silver betel stem-cups of floral scroll motif. They were made by local Chinese craftsmen for the Chinese people of Makassar.

Weight: 14 & 30g

A single detailed lotus petalled silver gilded box from a betel set. The craftsmanship on the box is time consuming and complex being that many petals repousé and chased.

A complete betel set comprising 6 silver ornaments and a betel nut cutter with gold handles. The silver pieces are repoussé and chiseled with flower scroll motif. The two round boxes are capped with a detachable round piece of gold weighing 6.1 g each. The dimension of the silver leaf holder is 7 by 9 cm. The lime container is 4.5 by 4.3 cm. The two stemmed cups are 3.5 by 7 cm each and the round boxes are 7 by 7 cm.The hexagonal box is lacquered black and gold with alternating flower and lion motifs.

Two stemmed lotus petal shaped boxes with detachable flower knobs are from Palembang.The other three that are lobed and are more rounded are from Makassar.

These boxes came from previous betel sets. Over the bygone years some pieces may have been lost or divided among siblings when they were passed down. They are made locally for the Baba Nyonya [Chinese migrants] who have adopted the customs of betel nut chewing. The workmanship on these pieces is of excellent quality.

The 8 sided lobed box with a knob is inherent to the Bugis people. The other four pieces are Baba Nyonya. They are all made locally.