Sarota - Betel nut Cutter from Rajasthan - 19th Century Material - Jichimu or elegant storage solution in

or elegant storage solution in both traditional and contemporary interiors

This large lacquered Chinese chest would have been used for storing clothing and bedding

The polished marble surface enhances the precision of the carving

coral is protected and so it's become challenging to find genuine beans

In recognition of this extraordinary legacy

Sarota - Betel nut Cutter from Rajasthan - 19th Century Material - Jichimu or elegant storage solution inThis antique Indian sarota, or betelnut cutter is a cross between scissors and nutcrackers. They're used to shave slivers from the areca (betel) nut which was then mixed with spices and wrapped in betel leaves to make paan. Paan was a stimulant chewed for its psychoactive effects. This simple iron sarota dates to the 19th century. Many sarota were produced in Kutch, Gujarat which was a hub for production. They are fun to collect as they are so diverse