Cleveland Museum of Art

Lid for a Bidri Pandan with Chevrons

Date

c. 1700

Medium

Zinc alloy with silver overlay

Culture

Southwestern India, Deccan, Karnataka, Bidar​

Department

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

A pandan is a lidded vessel for serving paan , which has been enjoyed in India for more than two thousand years. Paan is betel or areca nut mixed with lime powder, aromatics such as clove cinnamon, or cardamom, and wrapped in betel leaf. The whole packet is chewed after a meal as a mild stimulant and mouth freshener. The lime powder in paan functioned as an ancient antacid after meals.

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