An old early 20th century oval shaped Indian Gauri head brass paan box used for storing betelnut - circa 1910 from Dinajpur, North Bengal. Gauri is an incarnation of Parvati, a benevolent Hindu goddess, and consort to Shiva. She is beautiful, nurturing and the embodiment of motherhood.
Traditionally Gauri is depicted with a fair complexion. Parvati became Gauri when she was blessed by Lord Brahma with a lustrous golden complexion. She is most often worshipped by unmarried women looking for a suitable partner and her mount is the Godhika, an Iguana.
Betelnut or paan as it is called in Northern India is chewed for its stimulant and psychoactive effects. Slaked lime (chunam) paste is commonly added to the paan with a paste of spices in a betel leaf. The paste has many variations.
For a similar example see page figure 52, page 67 of Arts & Crafts of India by Ilay Cooper & John Gillow.
Dimensions:
8 x 9 x 8 (wxdxh cms)
From India
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