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Small chest of drawers decorated with flowers, birds, and insects

early 20th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 233
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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 조선 나전 칠 꽃 새 벌레 무늬 함
  • 朝鮮 螺鈿漆花鳥蟲文函
  • Title: Small chest of drawers decorated with flowers, birds, and insects
  • Period: Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)
  • Date: early 20th century
  • Culture: Korea
  • Medium: Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl, with incised design
  • Dimensions: H. 11 3/8 in. (28.9 cm); W. 12 7/8 in. (32.7 cm); D. 9 7/8 in. (25.1 cm)
  • Classification: Lacquer
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Seymour Fund, Mary and James G. Wallach Foundation Gift, and Friends of Korean Art Gifts, 2006
  • Object Number: 2006.260a–g
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Chest decorated with phoenixes, colored roundels (taegeuk), and flowers, Lacquered wood with inlaid mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, ray skin, and brass wire; brass fittings, Korea
Chest decorated with phoenixes, colored roundels (taegeuk), and flowers
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Bird-shaped vessel, Earthenware, Korea
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Yonggo, Kyung Suk Park Korean, Wood, canvas, metal, Korean
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