Antique Brass Holder Betel Lime Powder Container Killotaya 19th C Sri Lanka Shape Pocket Watch
Antique and rare solid brass container for limes (Killotaya), equipped with original bronze spoon.
Sri Lanka, dating from the 19th century.
It has two hinged halves, one fixed, the other opening, with finely carved and engraved decorations.
Inside there are lime powder residues.
It was used to contain and transport lime powder (chunam) to mix with sliced areca nut for betel chewing.
In Sri Lanka, such lime boxes were known as killotaya.
Note a small break in a tooth of the hinge (see photo) which, however, does not affect operation. The hinge closes well.
Furthermore, the chain is probably not original.
Otherwise it is functional, left in the state in which it was found.
It will be at the discretion of the buyer whether to clean it or not.
Closed measures 8x6.5x2.5 cm
Measures open 15 cm long
Chain + spoon 19 cm long
Weight gr 230
The form of these containers might well be based on European gentleman’s pocket watch cases. Lime containers in Sri Lanka were relatively ubiquitous because it was believed that poison was best concealed in lime. Lime was taken with the areca nut (commonly referred to as betel) and it was usual to be offered betel by one’s host. But to ensure a ‘safe’ betel quid, it was expected that one would bring one’s own lime, hence the need for portable lime containers such as these examples.
