Large Betel Nut Box, Maranao, Southern Philippines

Description

Large Betel Nut Box, Maranao, Southern Philippines (Mindanao) - bronze with bordered silver inlay design overall of a symmetrical floral tendril vine pattern referred to as “the okir pattern”,  a traditional design for the Maranao people. This large betel box is a rectangular body with a hinged lid, containing three sectioned interior chambers covered with four hinged and decorated lids.
One of the smaller chambers is encrusted with slaked lime. The box details include chamfered upright corners and inscribed looped side handles with Roman letters spelling out versions of Popom, Pompo and Popon (possibly the owner’s name). This box was used for the storage of the betel leaf, areca nut and chewing condiments.
Condition: Minor signs of age and use, otherwise fine.
Measuring: 4 inches high x 8-1/2 inches long x 4 inches deep. (10.2 x 21.5 x  10.2 cm).
6 lbs. 5 oz. (2862 grams). Early 20th century.
Provenance: Private Collection, Bay Area, CA.
For a similar example see: Casal, The People & Art of the Philippines,  p. 156,  fig. XIV. and Cynthia Ongpen Valdes, Betel Chewing in The Philippines, ARTS OF ASIA, Sep/Oct 2004.