Items Similar to Fine Korean Iron Box with Silver Inlay Joseon Dynasty

Fine Korean Box with Tray Iron with Silver Inlay Joseon Dynasty

Pair Korean Iron Box with Silver Inlays Joseon Dynasty

Korean Antique Bronze Footed Vessel with Lid Early Joseon Dynasty

Antique metal Pill Box with Mother-of-Pearl inlay to lid, English Edwardian

Chinese Lao Tian Li Cloisonne Cylindrical Box, Late Qing Dynasty, China

Fine Indian Silver Filigree Casket with Hinged Cover, 18th Century

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 21

Fine Korean Iron Box with Silver Inlay Joseon Dynasty

About the Item

A fine Korean iron box that was traditionally used to store tobacco leaves dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The box is made from iron and has a heavy weight, although the wears along the edges of the lid and base exposes a bronze metal color underneath, indicating the iron metal may contains a high level of copper. The surface was beautifully decorated with elaborate silver inlay that covers the entire surface except the base. The extraordinary workmanship depicts a pair of deer within the circled square (shape of heaven and earth) and a lined background on the long sides and a crane with spread wings on the shorter sides. Both animals were associated with longevity. Their eyes were highlighted with copper inlay, adding a lively touch to the animation. The lid is centered with a Chinese character "Xi" (Paired-Hui in Korean), which means double happiness. (In Chinese culture, it is often used in a wedding ceremony). The large symbol was set on geometrical background of tightly scrolling diamond pattern surrounded by stylized Ruyi mushroom heads, another floral longevity symbol. Archaic fret cloud band borders the entire perimeters of the lid and the container. Tobacco was introduced to Korean in the first half of the 17th century and gradually gained popularity. When the tobacco was started being smoked in shredded form instead of rolled leaves, there rose the production of the smoking accessories, with some in fine quality as luxury items for the elite. The accoutrement such as this box is a fine example made in late Joseon dynasty, using extensive silver inlay, a technique called "jjoeum-ipsa", in which the silver wires were hammered into the scorched iron surface to create the elaborate design. Similar boxes with variation of shape and motifs are in the collection of several major museums. Compare the box with item Gu 754 in the National Museum of Korea; item 22.78 in MET NYC and M.240:1, 2-1926 in V& A Museum in London. The most closely related example we found is item C232 in the collection of the Museum of East Asian Art, Cologne (see the last picture).

Dimensions:

Height: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)Width: 3.8 in (9.66 cm)Depth: 5.3 in (13.47 cm)

Style:

Other (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Copper,Iron,Silver,Inlay

Place of Origin:

Korea

Period:

19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

19th century

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Fine example with expected patina from age and use, minor scattered losses of silver wear, darkened interior as shown.

Seller Location:

Atlanta, GA

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU945032565932

More From This Seller

View All

Fine Korean Box with Tray Iron with Silver Inlay Joseon Dynasty

Located in Atlanta, GA

A fine Korean iron box with intricate silver inlay dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The body of the box is made from iron of a heavy weight although the wear on t...

Category

Antique 19th Century Korean Other Metalwork

Materials

Silver, Iron

Fine Korean Box with Tray Iron with Silver Inlay Joseon Dynasty

$8,800

Pair Korean Iron Box with Silver Inlays Joseon Dynasty

Located in Atlanta, GA

A fine pair of Korean iron box with intricate silver inlays dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The matching circular boxes was most likely used to store tobacco lea...

Category

Antique 19th Century Korean Other Metalwork

Materials

Silver, Iron, Bronze

Pair Korean Iron Box with Silver Inlays Joseon Dynasty

$5,800 / set

Korean Antique Bronze Footed Vessel with Lid Early Joseon Dynasty

Located in Atlanta, GA

A bronze bowl shape vessel with fitted lid from Korean dated to 15-16th century (early Joseon Dynasty). In an elegant minimalistic form with thin wall and supported by a high foot ri...

Category

Antique 16th Century Korean Other Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Korean Antique Bronze Footed Vessel with Lid Early Joseon Dynasty

$3,500

Matching Pair of Korean Brass Candlesticks with Shields and Snuffers Joseon

Located in Atlanta, GA

A pair of tall matching candlesticks fashioned out of heavy solid brass from Korea circa 1900s (end of Joseon Dynasty). The candlestick consists of three sections: a large base tray ...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Korean Other Metalwork

Materials

Brass

Matching Pair of Korean Brass Candlesticks with Shields and Snuffers Joseon

$4,200 / set

Antique Korean Small Wood Box Joseon Dynasty

Located in Atlanta, GA

A small Korean antique box circa late 19th century of Joseon Dynasty. The square form box was constructed with thick hardwood planks on all side (appears to be elm) with a noticeable...

Category

Antique 19th Century Korean Other Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Korean Small Wood Box Joseon Dynasty

$1,800

Fine Korean Porcelain Jar with Chrysanthemum Design Joseon Dynasty

Located in Atlanta, GA

A fine Korean white porcelain jar with underglaze blue painting circa second half of 19th century, Joseon Dynasty. Considered associated with Punwon-ri kilns in Gwangju, these types ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Korean Other Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Korean Porcelain Jar with Chrysanthemum Design Joseon Dynasty

$3,800

Antique Late 19th Century English Edwardian Metalwork

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Antique metal Pill Box with Mother-of-Pearl inlay to lid, English Edwardian

$296

Free Shipping

Chinese Lao Tian Li Cloisonne Cylindrical Box, Late Qing Dynasty, China

Located in Austin, TX

A delightful antique Chinese cloisonné cylindrical box and cover by Lao Tian Li, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The box of cylindrical form and w...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Chinese Qing Metalwork

Materials

Brass, Copper, Enamel

Chinese Lao Tian Li Cloisonne Cylindrical Box, Late Qing Dynasty, China

$1,200

Fine Indian Silver Filigree Casket with Hinged Cover, 18th Century

Located in Amsterdam, NL

A pair of very fine silver filigree rosewater sprinklers Possibly India, Karimnagar, early 18th century Measures: Height 31.6 cm and 31.7 cm,...

Category

Antique 18th Century Indian Metalwork

Materials

Silver

Fine Indian Silver Filigree Casket with Hinged Cover, 18th Century

$11,015

Free Shipping

Japanese Enameled Silver Chrysanthemum Box

Located in Chicago, IL

This lovely silver box exemplifies Japanese refinement in all crafts. The petite bonbonnière is formed of high quality silver with a rectangular cartouche form and a removable lid. T...

Category

20th Century Japanese Metalwork

Materials

Silver

Japanese Enameled Silver Chrysanthemum Box

$1,280

Japanese Silver Fan-Form Box

Located in Chicago, IL

This lovely silver box exemplifies Japanese refinement in all crafts. Precious in the hand, the petite bonbonnière is formed of high quality silver in the shape of a paper folding fa...

Category