Small Silver Box and Pinang Scissors

anoniem, c. 1690 - c. 1720

Silver filigree objects were made especially in Sumatra, but also in Batavia (now Jakarta). These items were popular among the Dutch in Asia. These dragon-headed scissors were used to cut off pieces of a betel nut, which were then finely ground and folded with other ingredients into a leaf of the sirih (betel) plant. Like chewing tobacco, this betel nut mix was a popular stimulant.