{"product_id":"indian-koftgari-sarota-betel-nut-cutter","title":"Koftgari Sarota - Betel Nut Cutter from Rajasthan - 19th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis antique Indian\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003esarota\u003c\/em\u003e, or betelnut cutter is a cross between scissors and nutcrackers. It is an excellent example of quality workmanship on a utility item. The frame is inlaid with silver using a technique called bidriwork (called koftgari work in India) and it is hinged with a brass pin. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSarotas are used to shave slivers from the areca (betel) nut which was then mixed with spices and wrapped in betel leaves to make paan. Paan was a \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003estimulant chewed for its psychoactive effects. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis simple iron\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003esarota\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003edates to the 19\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century. Many\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003esarota\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewere produced in Kutch, Gujarat which was a hub for production. They are fun to collect as they are so diverse and t\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ehere are books published which follow their historical importance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom India\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUK Delivery Charge - except Highlands \u0026amp; Islands £7.50\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMore delivery options available at checkout\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BinderKing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53551230058805,"sku":"A4628V3","price":111.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1012\/5243\/2181\/files\/A4628V3-Detail-1.jpg?v=1789233208","url":"https:\/\/binderking.shop\/products\/indian-koftgari-sarota-betel-nut-cutter","provider":"BinderKing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}