Box decorated with dragons

19th century

Not on view

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 dragons’ colorfully variegated bodies are predominately made from ray skin, while mother-of-pearl is strategically inlaid to bring luminescence to the dragons’ eyes and to the clouds. Tortoiseshell forms dark clouds, with wispy, thin-lined clouds made in contrasting wire.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

나전 대모 어피 칠 용 무늬 상자 조선
螺鈿玳瑁魚皮漆龍文箱子朝鮮
Title: Box decorated with dragons
Period: Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)
Date: 19th century
Culture: Korea
Medium: Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, ray skin, and brass wire
Dimensions: H. 10 1/8 in. (25.7 cm); W. 12 5/8 in. (32.1 cm); L. 24 3/8 in. (61.9 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Object Number: 2015.500.3.8a, b
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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