A group of five brass and steel zoomorphic betel nut cutters, India, late 18th-19th century, each in the form of an animal or animals (5)Betel-nut cutters are used to slice and peel shavings from the hard areca nut. Over the years the areca nut has become known as the betel-nut because it is the main ingredient of the ‘quid’ formed by folding a betel leaf around a variety of ingredients. Preparation of a quid requires care and attention and used to be a skill associated with courtly women. Items used in the preparation process, such as betel-nut cutters, were beautifully crafted and valued instrumentsGood overall