Korean Decorative Boxes

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...

A set of 3 antique Korean paper mache sewing boxes from the Choson period.

A fine and elegant Korean black lacquer and abalone mother of pearl inlay "longevity" box, circa 1930s, Korea. The box, most likely used to sto...

A fine Korean iron box 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...

An absolutely lovely Korean black lacquer and abalone shell inlaid box in the form of a pair of Mandarin ducks, early 20th century, Korea. The ...

This artwork adopts mother of pearl and lacquer to portray peony blossoms, also known as the king of all flowers and a symbol for beautiful women. The lustrous mother of pearl was used to create such sumptuous flower patterns. The colors inside the lines of mother of pearl were enhanced with lacquer, gold and silver powder, etc. to elevate the vividness and splendor evoking the actual blossoming.    -Luxury Packaging: Wooden Gift...

A lovely vintage Korean lacquer box in bright red and decorated with mother-of-pearl inlays circa 1970-80s. The square form box features an auspicio...

A relatively large rich dark red burgundy lacquer storage chest box with metal detail by designer Rae Kasian, circa late-20th century, 1980s, 1990s. Box is ...

Antique, a beautiful Korean Cinnabar Lacquer box with lock, hand-painted, depicting traditional Korean lucky patterns of the vase. flower, art-rock in the very reddish color. It comes with an old lock...

This artwork uses mother of pearl to re-interpret 'A Bull,' which is an iconic work by one of the most celebrated South Korean artists in modern and contemporary painting...

Handsome antique Korean trunk or chest with beautiful brass details and the auspicious Chinese characters for luck and longevity carved into the f...

Two attractive 19th century Korean dowery boxes in brown rattan and red hand-painted papier-mâché, the one slightly larger in delicately interwoven brown ...