나전 칠 꽃 새 벌레 무늬 함 조선|螺鈿漆 花鳥蟲文 函 朝鮮|Small chest of drawers decorated with flowers, birds, and insects

Unknown

early 20th century · Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl, with incised design · Asian Art

This chest is an excellent example of an early twentieth-century lacquer box with allover mother-of-pearl decoration. The incised floral motifs filled with black ink or charcoal make the piece particularly striking. The shape, size, and compartments suggest that this chest held writing or cosmetic paraphernalia.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 20th century

Medium

Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl, with incised design

Culture

Korea

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Seymour Fund, Mary and James G. Wallach Foundation Gift, and Friends of Korean Art Gifts, 2006