Betel Nut Crusher

Lombok, Indonesia
19th-early 20th c.

This betel nut knife from Lombok features a handle masterfully carved from buffalo horn, exhibiting a rich, smooth patina. The exquisitely detailed carving depicts a Heron bird with an open beak feeding on a snake, while its subtly rendered wings tightly flank the sides of its body, enhancing the composition’s sense of fluidity and movement.

Betel nut knives, or choppers, were essential tools in daily life across Lombok and the broader Indonesian archipelago. Used to slice areca nuts, which were chewed with betel leaves and lime for their mildly stimulating effects, these knives were both functional and symbolic. Often intricately adorned, they reflected the status and artistry of their owners, serving as objects of both utility and prestige.