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Korean Lacquer and Mother of Pearl Inlay "Longevity" Box, 1930s, Korea

$4,500
£3,416.32
€3,907.55
CA$6,287.15
A$6,992.69
CHF 3,651.36
MX$85,093.55
NOK 46,633.48
SEK 43,733.98
DKK 29,163.51
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About the Item

A fine and elegant Korean black lacquer and abalone mother of pearl inlay "longevity" box, circa 1930s, Korea. The box, most likely used to store documents, is crafted of black lacquer over a wood core and inlaid with shimmering abalone mother of pearl. There is a strong Japanese influence to the box, with the use of gold maki-e lacquer for the ground, and orangish red negoro lacquer for the tree. The use of Japanese techniques makes sense considering this box was created during the Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula in the 1930s. The cover of the box features a delightful scene of a pair of graceful deer standing in the shade of large peach tree, its leafy branches laden with overly large fruit. Lingzhi, the fungus of immortality, grow amongst the scattered gold ground, a sprig dangling jauntily from the mouth of one deer. In Asian culture, deer, peach, and lingzhi are all symbols of longevity and immortality. The pastoral scene is framed by a dense diamond motif geometric border in the hishi (water chestnut leaf) pattern, and featuring four lozenge shaped reserves with stylized lotus blossoms and vegetal scrolls. The same lotus blossom and scrolling vine pattern decorates the otherwise plain black lacquer sides of the box. The interior and underside of simple black lacquer.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 3.75 in (9.53 cm)Width: 11 in (27.94 cm)Depth: 9 in (22.86 cm)
  • Style:
    Showa (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1930s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor structural damages. Minor fading. The lacquer with some age cracks, as seen in photos. The underside with wear and scratches, as expected from use.
  • Seller Location:
    Austin, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU894733485582

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