Koftgari Sarota - Betel Nut Cutter from Rajasthan - 19th Century Wucai Porcelain This unusual chest is from

This unusual chest is from the Chinese province of Gansu

The word 'suzani' derives from the Farsi word for 'needle' and involves highly skilled wonderful silk embroidery

red elm or walnut

It would originally have been painted and the finish has since worn away leaving a beautiful rustic patina

Chinese traditional medicine was stored in this fabulous antique apothecary chest

Koftgari Sarota - Betel Nut Cutter from Rajasthan - 19th Century Wucai Porcelain This unusual chest is fromThis antique Indian sarota, or betelnut cutter is a cross between scissors and nutcrackers. It is an excellent example of quality workmanship on a utility item. The frame is inlaid with silver using a technique called bidriwork (called koftgari work in India) and it is hinged with a brass pin. Sarotas are 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