Betel Nut Mortar and Pestle
ClassificationsTools and Equipment-mortars
Datemid 19th - early 20th Century
Made AtMilne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea
Collection SiteSydney, New South Wales, Australia, Australia
MediumWood, lime and metal
Dimensions4 × 1 1/2 × 5 in. (10.2 × 3.8 × 12.7 cm)
Credit LineThe George Stanley Lodin Collection
Object number2015.17.22
DescriptionBetel nut, when mixed and chewed with lime powder, becomes a mild stimulant. Betel is chewed both routinely and at various special occasions. Lime powder is consumed with the betel nut to enhance its flavor. The lime powder is kept in containers such as this. Once crushes the nut with their teeth, licks the end of a stick or spatula, dips it into the container, and then licks off the lime. The betel nut and lime can also be mixed together in decorated mortars to create a powder. Powdered lime was used to color the geometric designs on the outside of the container.On View
Not on view
20th Century
20th Century
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