ELEPHANT ARECA BETEL NUT CRUSHER

Took me a while to research this item and discover it's purpose in life. An extremely similar elephant areca nut crusher / cracker is featured in the book BURMESE SILVER ART by David G. Owens on page 13. So thanks to him for IDing this sweet piece for me. 

Cast from an unknown metal, it does look to have been used over the years but is still in great shape and the stylized elephant head with it's traditional decorative cap is adorable. The metal is lightly magnetic, but not strongly magnetic as I would expect pure iron to be. It has a great patina. A wonderful addition to any elephant lover home! Likely from Burma / Myanmar, but I purchased this from an estate sale and I have no history on it.

Size approx. 3 1/2 x 2" x 1" when closed. Weighs 9.5 ounces.