These miniature silver glit ‘tong luda’ (‘spittoon’) and ‘sireh’ container are associated with the ‘tempat sireh’ (‘sireh set’) which is the Baba Malay term for a box with a set of containers used to store the various ingredients used in betel-chewing, a practice common among the Peranakan Chinese. This miniature gold tong luda with floral motifs engraved on its surface, were an essential part of sireh paraphernalia as they served practical purposes such as for the disposal of spittle that resulted from betel-chewing. The open gold container with floral and leaf designs engraved on it, would hold the ‘pinang’ (areca nut shavings). ‘Tempat sireh’ is traditionally very important in Peranakan culture, with special significance for the Nonyas. Other than accompanying the day-to-day pleasure of chewing sireh, ‘tempat sireh’ also played an important ceremonial role in many important rites such as those in a traditional wedding.
