Octagonal box with lid

Korea

Not on view

This small box is an excellent example of ray skin decoration. Ray skin is often found on late Joseon lacquerware and furniture. Joseon artisans cleverly used ray skin, with its range of colors--off-white, yellow, orange, red, and blue--to depict various motifs. This box, likely used to hold seals, illustrates the material beauty of ray skin. The scalloped feet and detailed brass fittings offer further evidence of the box’s meticulous design and expert craftsmanship.

Octagonal box with lid, Lacquer, wood, ray skin, and brass, Korea

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Octagonal box with lid, Lacquer, wood, ray skin, and brass, Korea
Octagonal box with lid, Lacquer, wood, ray skin, and brass, Korea
Octagonal box with lid, Lacquer, wood, ray skin, and brass, Korea
Octagonal box with lid, Lacquer, wood, ray skin, and brass, Korea
Octagonal box with lid, Lacquer, wood, ray skin, and brass, Korea

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