A pair of Chinese famille verte lime pots, poss. for the Vietnamese market, Kangxi

Dim.: 21,5 x 20,5 x 20,5 cm (each)

Since the first descriptions of the inhabitants of Ancient Vietnam, which were transmitted by Chinese sources, the custom of chewing betel had already become popular among the indigenous population. Three ingredients are used to prepare this stimulating and astringent product: areca nut, cut into pieces, is mixed with lime, obtained from heating limestone, then everything is rolled in a betel leaf, a type of climbing pepper tree cultivated in India and East Asia.

This pot contained lime, which was lifted out with the use of a small spatula.

Sourche: A text by Anne Juin for the Cernuschi Museum, Paris (link)

Condition:
- One pot in very good to exellent condition with minor small superficial surface chips.
- One pot with one of the outer sections of the handle broken off and restuck and some small chips on the handle.
- Minor baking flaws.
- One cover with a restored break and restored rim chips, the other with 2 restored rim chips.