Ruler

Korea

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 233

Painted ox horn was used to decorate a range of objects from large furniture to smaller everyday wares, such as boxes, mirror stands, and sewing implements. By the late Joseon, the ox horn decorative technique was fully developed. The horn would be cut into very thin sheets and then one side would be painted. Due to the near transparency of the sheet, the painting could be seen through to the other side. The painted side would then be adhered to the object using a lacquer-resin adhesive.

Each side of the ruler has five segments, each decorated with an animal. All the animals are part of the zodiac with the dragon and snake not included.

Ruler, Wood, bone, and painted ox horn	, Korea

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