나전 칠 봉황 꽃 벌레 무늬 상자 조선|螺鈿漆 鳳凰花蟲文 箱子 朝鮮|Box decorated with phoenixes, floral scrolls, and insects

Art Historical Context

This exquisite lacquer box from 19th-century Joseon Korea (1392–1910) showcases the pinnacle of Korean decorative arts. Measuring 6⅜ × 11 × 16⅛ inches, it served as a practical yet luxurious storage vessel, likely for cosmetics, jewelry, or scholarly items among the elite. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1912 through the Rogers Fund, it exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of the Joseon, a period marked by Confucian values emphasizing harmony, nature, and moral virtue. The box is crafted in lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl (najeon chil), a technique where thin shell slices a...