Box with Floral Motif
Artist
Korean (Korean)
Date
17th centuryMedium
Lacquered wood, mother-of-pearl, ironDimensions
Work : 3 3/4 x 7 1/4 x 4 1/4 in. (9.53 x 18.41 x 10.8 cm)Credit Line
Gift of David Kamansky and Gerald WheatonObject Number
2014.23.313
Label
The technique of decorating lacquered objects with mother-of-pearl inlay was introduced to Korea from China sometime around the 8th century. During the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), inlaid lacquers were highly prized by Korea’s aristocratic classes. This box may have been made for a member of the scholar gentry class. The floral motifs all have strong literary associations and can also be seen in many Korean paintings from the same period.