장생 무늬 화각 상자 조선|長生文華角箱子 朝鮮|Box decorated with auspicious symbols

Unknown

19th century · Lacquered wood inlaid with flattened and painted ox horn · Asian Art

This lacquered wood box is decorated with thin sheets of ox horn painted in bright colors. The technique developed fully in later Joseon lacquer ware, becoming a fashionable art form during this period, alongside lacquer with mother-of-pearl. Decorative motifs on this piece include animals symbolizing good fortune, longevity, or protection, such as cranes, deer, dragons, phoenixes, and tigers. Similar imagery was also popular on paintings and ceramics during the nineteenth century.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Lacquered wood inlaid with flattened and painted ox horn

Culture

Korea

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015