Tray for Sewing Tools
Unknown Artist
1800s
Medium
lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay
Dimensions
h. 9.6 cm · diam. 33.1 cm
Classification
Lacquer
Department
Korean Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Norman O. Stone and Ella A. Stone Memorial Fund
Accession Number
1987.42
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This mother-of-pearl lacquer tray is decorated with various scenes of animals interacting with their natural surroundings. Its flat circular base depicts a pond where a leaping carp and a small school of fish swim below the boughs of a cherry tree. The tray’s exterior wall is densely decorated with various animals paired with plants symbolizing wishful thoughts of longevity, marital happiness, and prosperity.