Antique bronze nut betel Sukhothai container

Description

Antique bronze nut betel Sukhothai container
Dimension
H 5.5 inches by original solid bronze ware.
Betel chew consists of three main ingredients:
bai plu leaf (betel leaf)
which is similar but not the same as the milder
bai chaplu, used for miang kham
,
limestone paste
(calcium hydroxide, made from baked sea shells) spread thinly on the leaf, and betel nut (areca nut) which grows in bunches similar to grapes. When combined these three things are an addictive stimulant which creates a feeling of strength, awareness, the eyes become wide awake and for some reason the saliva glands open up wider than ever--so the mouth literally pours out saliva (it turns red due to chemical reaction) which gives a cleansing sensation. The aroma is pleasant, a bit like menthol, and middle-aged Thais will tell you when they smell it they think of their grandparents. Many adults of today recall spending their days collecting the ingredients for their grandparents' betel chew.
Since Sukhothai period, Thai people have been chewing betel lime by the generation as old men and old women.
The Kingdom of Sukhothai was an early kingdom in the area around the city Sukhothai, in the north central Thailand. The Kingdom existed from 1238 until 1583. The old capital, now 12 Km outside of new Sukhothai in Tambon Mueang Kao, is in ruins and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage historical park.