Two Korean Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Lacquered Accessory Boxes

Joseon Period (late 19th Century)

朝鮮李朝 黑漆嵌螺鈿妝匣兩具
both boxes of rectangular shapes, the larger example on a four-leg base rising to a larger lower drawer, two middle drawers, and one slightly smaller top drawer. Densely inlaid in mother-of-pearl, the larger drawer with a pair of mandarin ducks wandering in a lotus pond and a pair of pheasants under a large bamboo tree, two middle drawers of diapering ground, and the top drawer depicting two pairs of quails; the front apron colored red. The smaller example with a slightly large lower drawer, smaller middle drawers, and two small top drawers, each fitted with metal pulls and lined on the interiors with paper. Beautifully inlaid in mother-of-pearl with different panels, the large drawer with a scholar seated under a willow tree, with a unique rockwork behind a fenced terrace surrounded by a lotus pond. The middle drawers with lotus pads and a pair of mandarin ducks in a stream, a symbol of marital bliss. The top drawers with the sun and scalloped clouds; the two sides and top each inlaid with three large florets.

Note:
A similar lot of the smaller box see Japanese and Korean Art, Christie's New York, September 18, 2013, lot 834.

The taller example: 9 7/8 x 7 5/8 x 8 3/4 in., 25 x 19.3 x 22.2 cm.