나전 대모 어피 용 무늬 옷상자 조선|螺鈿玳瑁魚皮龍文衣箱子 朝鮮|Clothing box decorated with dragons

Unknown

19th century · Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, and ray skin · Asian Art

This box’s lively design features two dragons chasing a flaming jewel. The beasts’ long, sinewy bodies wrap around the sides of the box; their heads face each other at opposite corners at the top. The masterful mixture of diverse materials—mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, and ray skin—highlights different textures, emphasizing not only the tactile quality of the mythical beasts but also their dynamic character.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, and ray skin

Culture

Korea

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015