Trefoil-shaped covered box with decoration of chrysanthemums

Korea

Not on view

Exquisitely crafted, this box is the earliest example of lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl in The Met collection, and one of the few such works in the world dated to the twelfth century. The eight-petal chrysanthemums and scrolling leaves filling its sides and top were created with small but relatively thick pieces of shell, while three peonies were made from slivers of red-tinted tortoiseshell. Thin twisted wires outline the edges, a feature of Korean and Chinese lacquers from the twelfth to the fourteenth century.

Trefoil-shaped covered box with decoration of chrysanthemums, Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl and tortoise shell over pigment and brass wire, Korea

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Trefoil-shaped covered box with decoration of chrysanthemums, Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl and tortoise shell over pigment and brass wire, Korea
Trefoil-shaped covered box with decoration of chrysanthemums, Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl and tortoise shell over pigment and brass wire, Korea
Trefoil-shaped covered box with decoration of chrysanthemums, Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl and tortoise shell over pigment and brass wire, Korea
Trefoil-shaped covered box with decoration of chrysanthemums, Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl and tortoise shell over pigment and brass wire, Korea
Trefoil-shaped covered box with decoration of chrysanthemums, Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl and tortoise shell over pigment and brass wire, Korea
Trefoil-shaped covered box with decoration of chrysanthemums, Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl and tortoise shell over pigment and brass wire, Korea
Trefoil-shaped covered box with decoration of chrysanthemums, Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl and tortoise shell over pigment and brass wire, Korea
Trefoil-shaped covered box with decoration of chrysanthemums, Lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl and tortoise shell over pigment and brass wire, Korea

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