Areca nut cutter, also known as betel cutter - Sri Lanka - First half of the 20th century

Areca nut cutter, also known as betel cutter
Sri Lanka
First half of the 20th century
Bronze and iron
Length: 22 cm; Width: 7.5 cm

This large nutcracker model, also called vandun giraya or sarauta, is made of chiseled gilt bronze and features a female figure characteristic of the region: anjali the woman greeting, with her hands joined and raised.
Her legs form the branches of the pair of scissors, while her back marks the handle and her abdomen bears the embedded iron blade.
Her face, seen in profile, is styled in a bun.

This tool was used for cutting areca nuts for betel quid. Chewing it was common in India, the rest of Asia and Oceania, and also punctuated certain rites such as births, initiation rites, engagements, or funerals.

Bibliography:
A similar copy is kept at the Musée du Quai Branly under inventory number 66.125.8.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON