Antique Indian Mughal Copper Paan / Betel Dome Box

Details

Description

The Stolen Hour
Lucknow, 1887. The zenana of the Nawab's household.

In the women's quarters, time moved differently. The afternoon … Read more The Stolen Hour
Lucknow, 1887. The zenana of the Nawab's household.

In the women's quarters, time moved differently. The afternoon stretched like silk pulled through fingers—languid, deliberate, infinite. This was when the betel leaves appeared.
The dome lifted with the softest whisper of metal on metal, revealing what the latch and handle promised to protect. Inside: fresh paan prepared by hands that had been preparing it for forty years. Betel leaf, areca nut, a trace of lime paste, cardamom if you were favored. The ritual was everything.

The box itself—its surface worked into spiraling paisley and leaf forms by a craftsman who understood that utility and beauty need not choose between themselves—was as essential as what it contained. Every curve of the repoussé work caught the lamplight differently as it passed from hand to hand.

Begum Sahiba would select her leaf, fold it with precision, and only then would the real conversation begin. Politics discussed in metaphor. Marriages arranged in whispers. Intelligence traded between cousins, aunts, daughters-in-law who understood that power, in certain rooms, moved through different channels than the ones men imagined.

The betel box sat at the center of it all. Witness and participant. Its domed form suggesting both shelter and revelation—what's covered, what's about to be uncovered.

This particular box, with its intricate hand-chased decoration and handle darkened by a century of touch, carries the weight of those stolen hours. A vessel designed for pleasure, yes, but also for the patient architecture of women's influence.

Place it on your table. Let it hold whatever needs protecting.

Antique Mughal Copper Paan / Betel Box – Handcrafted Dome Form
Traditionally used in India to present paan leaves and betel nut — an important element of hospitality and ceremony — this domed circular container reflects the refined craftsmanship of the era.

Details & Highlights

19th–early 20th century Mughal-style metalwork

Circular body with high domed lid and loop handle

Warm, naturally aged patina throughout

Intricate hand-tooled surface patterning

A functional lid that opens and closes smoothly

Dimensions

9.25" Diameter

5" High (base to lid)

9" High including handle

Condition Notes
Very good antique condition with age-appropriate wear including light dents and rich patina, consistent with long use. Please zoom in on photos to review all details.

Provenance & Material

Northern India / Mughal cultural tradition

Solid copper construction

A striking decorative object perfect for styling on a console or bookshelf — or use it to store jewelry and small keepsakes. A wonderful find for collectors of South Asian metalwork and global decorative arts. See less