This cylindrical betel box, also known as kun-it, is fitted with two trays. It comes with four silver bowls to contain the ingredients for betel nut chewing: betel leaf, lime, areca nut, and sometimes tobacco. The final coat of lacquer should have produced the characteristic black colour of lacquer, but in this case, the lacquer was mixed with cinnabar pigment to achieve the reddish tone. Betel nut was offered to guests, and as a token of favour to an admirer or from one’s superior, hence the betel box was essential as an item of hospitality in homes.
