betel nutcracker

fernando · 9th April 2006, 06:43 PM

Sorry, this is not properly a weapon.
I am trying to know the region in India where this Kacip comes from.
I wonder if some of the members can coment about it, judging by the pattern of the gold and silver decoration.
Thanks
fernando

Valjhun · 9th April 2006, 06:47 PM

Are you sure that it is not from Continental SEA? It is just the instrument that members of the Dhafia would use to cut fingers. (joke)

Nice item, however I would say that it is rather newly made, looking at the style of koftgari work.

B.I · 10th April 2006, 09:48 AM

henry brownrigg wrote a great book on betel nut cutters and is believed to be the authority on them. the book catalogued the biggest collection of them, put together by samuel eilenberg. eilenberg died a short while ago, and a friend of mine has bought a large part of the collection (some 130 pieces and still adding) some dating back 1000 years.
henry has a personal passion for india and travels there every year. his book is not expensive, and easily found. i feel it may hold some answers for you.

Alam Shah · 10th April 2006, 01:55 PM

Betel Cutters from the Samuel Eilenberg Collection

by Henry Brownrigg,
http://www.selectbooks.com.sg/getTitle.cfm?SBNum=12909

A good value at only 30+ dollars.

fernando · 10th April 2006, 02:23 PM

I have just bought the book.
Thank you B.I. for the track, and thank you Alam for the adress.

9th April 2006, 06:43 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	betel nutcracker Sorry, this is not properly a weapon. I am trying to know the region in India where this Kacip comes from. I wonder if some of the members can coment about it, judging by the pattern of the gold and silver decoration. Thanks fernando Attached Images

10th April 2006, 01:55 PM	#4
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	book reference Betel Cutters from the Samuel Eilenberg Collection by Henry Brownrigg, http://www.selectbooks.com.sg/getTitle.cfm?SBNum=12909 A good value at only 30+ dollars.

9th April 2006, 06:47 PM	#2
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Are you sure that it is not from Continental SEA? It is just the instrument that members of the Dhafia would use to cut fingers. (joke) Nice item, however I would say that it is rather newly made, looking at the style of koftgari work.

10th April 2006, 09:48 AM	#3
B.I Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 485	henry brownrigg wrote a great book on betel nut cutters and is believed to be the authority on them. the book catalogued the biggest collection of them, put together by samuel eilenberg. eilenberg died a short while ago, and a friend of mine has bought a large part of the collection (some 130 pieces and still adding) some dating back 1000 years. henry has a personal passion for india and travels there every year. his book is not expensive, and easily found. i feel it may hold some answers for you.

10th April 2006, 02:23 PM	#5
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	I have just bought the book. Thank you B.I. for the track, and thank you Alam for the adress.