A fine and rare large lacquer box and cover with mother-of-pearl inlays

Estimated Value:

8.000 € - 12.000 €

Result:

incl. Premium and VAT

Description:

Korea, Joseon Dynasty, ca. 17th cent.
40 x 33,5 x 12 cm
The lid and the four sides are decorated with a pattern of large peony petals and foliage.
From an important German private collection, acquired at Christie's London, 11 April 1984, lot 357 (4860.- GBP), published full-page in colour
The present box and cover with fine mother-of-pearl inlay is an outstanding example of Joseon dynasty lacquer art. It demonstrates the Korean innovation of enhancing the texture of larger shells by applying a cracked pattern before inlaying, as seen on the leaves and petals. James Watt surmises that this pattern of "random cracks" may be comparable to the hairline cracks on thick celadon vessels (see James C.Y. Watt and Barbara Brennan Ford, East Asian Lacquer: The Florence and Herbert Irving Collection, New York, 1991, p. 317). Such cracks may also have served to enhance the shimmering play of colours in the mother-of-pearl. Watt also suggests a general scheme for the development of 15th and 16th century Joseon lacquerware, according to which later lacquerware from this period has simpler floral motifs, more geometric tendrils and only one type of flower (rather than a variety of types growing from the same scroll) (see ibid., pp. 308-310). The dating of lacquerwork from the early Chosŏn period is fraught with difficulties, as no reliable chronology is available to date. Curved vine or flower motifs, usually peonies or lotus flowers, are characteristic of inlay work from this period. Unlike in later phases, fine strips of mother-of-pearl rather than metal wire were generally used for the tendrils. It is also striking that different flower types can emerge from the same tendril. Very early 15th century pieces often have ogival panels and densely filled backgrounds, which often consist of circular dot patterns. The leaves and petals are indicated by a characteristic cracked pattern in the inlaid mother-of-pearl. In the course of the 17th century, the shapes of the leaves and foliage became simpler, the tendrils became more regular and more geometrically structured; in addition, the leaves now appeared open. At the same time, the use of metal wire begins again, with each tendril now showing only one type of flower.
A very similar box and cover in the collection of the British Museum is published - Age cracks, part. old rest. and minor age damages

Bidding Enquiry

previous lot Catalogue next lot