Antique Accoutrements for 'Paan' Chewing(betel nut); Laos; brass; 18th-19th c. These ethnographic items are a collection of antique implements used, long ago, by devotees of the wildly popular custom of 'paan chewing'. Adherents are still found throughout India and se Asia. To explain...a vendor - or the addict, himself - will wrap within a small leaf a certain amount of ground betel nut, some lime paste, perhaps tobacco, perhaps a bit of honey and whatever else accords with the his taste and then plops the whole into his mouth to chew to his heart's content. This is 'paan'. It's not food...more like a mild stimulant, and habit-forming. One knows the 'paan' chewer by his red gums, blackened teeth and frequent expectoration. Think 'Bloody Mary' from the musical, South Pacific'. Item #1...is a beautiful example of a 'betel nut crusher'. The nut is dropped into the barrel, then the blade is repeatedly driven onto the nut until the desired consistency is attained. Item #2 and #3...are examples of lime bottles. The lime is in paste form and a dab of it along with the ground nut is placed onto the leaf along with whatever other ingredients the customer desires. Notice the remnants of white lime. Item #4...is a delicate flask for carrying a secret substance, perhaps, for the 'paan gourmand'. Please note the marvelous patina and velvety texture of these pieces resulting from centuries of use. Acquired along the Ou River, in the vicinity of Nong Khiaw, on one of my journeys through the area.