This is a miniature silver glit ‘tong luda’ or spittoon with floral motifs engraved on its surface. Spittoons were an essential part of ‘sireh’ (‘betel leaves’) paraphernalia, which Peranakans, Nonyas (Peranakan women) in particular, used on a daily basis and on grand occasions such as weddings. Spittoons often appear as part of the accessories in portrait paintings and are associated with material wealth. Apart for this symbolic function, spittoons also served practical purposes such as for the disposal of spittle that resulted from betel-chewing.
