Clothing box decorated with dragons
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.
Artwork Details
- 나전 대모 어피 용 무늬 옷상자 조선
- 螺鈿玳瑁魚皮龍文衣箱子 朝鮮
- Title: Clothing box decorated with dragons
- Period: Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)
- Date: 19th century
- Culture: Korea
- Medium: Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, and ray skin
- Dimensions: H. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm); W. 17 3/4 in. (45.1 cm); L. 28 3/4 in. (73 cm)
- Classification: Lacquer
- Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
- Object Number: 2015.500.3.7a, b
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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