나전 대모 어피 칠 봉황 태극 꽃 무늬 이층반닫이장 조선|螺鈿玳瑁魚皮漆 鳳凰太極花文 二層欌 朝鮮|Chest decorated with phoenixes, colored roundels (taegeuk), and flowers

Unknown Artist

early 20th century

나전 대모 어피 칠 봉황 태극 꽃 무늬 이층반닫이장 조선|螺鈿玳瑁魚皮漆 鳳凰太極花文 二層欌 朝鮮|Chest decorated with phoenixes, colored roundels (taegeuk), and flowers by Unknown Artist

Medium

Lacquered wood with inlaid mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, ray skin, and brass wire; brass fittings

Dimensions

H. 42 3/4 in. (108.6 cm); W. 35 5/8 in. (90.5 cm); D. 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm)

Classification

Furniture

Culture & Period

Korea · Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)

Department

Asian Art

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Bequest of Franklin Jasper Walls, 1963

Accession Number

63.121.2a–i

Tags

Mythical CreaturesFlowersLeavesChests

Art Historical Context

This exquisite chest, known as a *bandaji* or two-layer cupboard, hails from the late Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), crafted in the early 20th century. at 42¾ inches tall, it served as a prized storage piece for clothing or valuables, often found in elite households or as part of a bride's trousseau. Its lacquered wood surface gleams with intricate inlays of mother-of-pearl (*najeon*), tortoiseshell (*daemo*), stingray skin (*eop'i*), and delicate brass wire, topped with ornate brass fittings—a testament to Korea's masterful lacquerware tradition. The decorations feature majestic phoenixes symbo...

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