Items Similar to Fine Korean Box with Tray Iron with Silver Inlay Joseon Dynasty
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 17
Fine Korean Box with Tray Iron with Silver Inlay Joseon Dynasty
About the Item
A fine Korean iron box with intricate silver inlay dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The body of the box is made from iron of a heavy weight although the wear on the base has exposed a bronze metal color underneath, indicating the iron metal contains a high level of copper. The surface was beautifully decorated with elaborate silver inlay that covers the entire surface except the base. The extraordinary workmanship is a technique called "jjoeum-ipsa", in which the silver wires were hammered into the scorched iron surface to create the elaborate design. Such box was traditionally used to store tobacco leaves, although other small items could be kept as well.
The silver inlay decoration on the box is exquisite. The lid is centered with a large Chinese character "Xi" (Paired-Hui in Korean), which means double happiness. (In Chinese culture, it is often used in a wedding ceremony, indicating this box might have been a wedding gift). The large symbol was set in a roundel with archaic key and scrolling pattern double border, all set within a similar archaic key border defined by the edge of the box. In between, lucky coin lattice fills in the space, creating a tight design. This overall design was consistently used on the four sides of the box, but each side was anchored by a trigram of Palgwae (Bagua in Chinese) in the center, representing the element of water, metal, thunder and fire respectively. The box has an inner tray made of wood and cushioned in padded velvet with two coral beads pullers. The tray and the interior of the box was lined with a pattern waxed paper, which shows good age. This is a later adaptation perhaps for the box to be used to store other valuables like jewelries. The base has four rounded feet.
Tobacco was introduced to Korean in the first half of the 17th century and gradually gained popularity. When the tobacco was started being smoked in shredded form instead of rolled leaves, there rose the production of the smoking accessories, with some in fine quality as luxury items for the elite. The accoutrement such as this box is a fine example made in late Joseon dynasty, using extensive silver inlay.
Similar boxes with variation of shape and motifs are in the collection of several major museums. Compare the box with item Gu 754 in the National Museum of Korea; item 22.78 in MET NYC and M.240:1, 2-1926 in V& A Museum in London. The most closely related example we found is item C232 in the collection of the Museum of East Asian Art, Cologne.
- Dimensions:Height: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)Width: 4.3 in (10.93 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Style:Other (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:19th century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Fine example with very good condition, minor oxidation and patina along edges and corners. Interior lined and show ages. Base show natural darkening, oxidation and shelf wear.
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU945039782182
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 2006
1stDibs seller since 2010
483 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Atlanta, GA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Fine Korean Iron Box with Silver Inlay Joseon DynastyLocated in Atlanta, GAA fine Korean iron box that was traditionally used to store tobacco leaves dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The box is made from iron and has a heavy weight, although the wears along the edges of the lid and base exposes a bronze metal color underneath, indicating the iron metal may contains a high level of copper. The surface was beautifully decorated with elaborate silver inlay that covers the entire surface except the base. The extraordinary workmanship depicts a pair of deer within the circled square (shape of heaven and earth) and a lined background on the long sides and a crane with spread wings on the shorter sides. Both animals were associated with longevity. Their eyes were highlighted with copper inlay, adding a lively touch to the animation. The lid is centered with a Chinese character "Xi" (Paired-Hui in Korean), which means double happiness. (In Chinese culture, it is often used in a wedding ceremony). The large symbol was set on geometrical background of tightly scrolling diamond pattern surrounded by stylized Ruyi mushroom heads, another floral longevity symbol. Archaic fret cloud band borders the entire perimeters of the lid and the container. Tobacco was introduced to Korean in the first half of the 17th century and gradually gained popularity. When the tobacco was started being smoked in shredded form instead of rolled leaves, there rose the production of the smoking accessories, with some in fine quality as luxury items for the elite. The accoutrement such as this box is a fine example made in late Joseon dynasty, using extensive silver inlay, a technique called "jjoeum-ipsa", in which the silver wires were hammered into the scorched iron surface to create the elaborate design. Similar boxes with variation of shape and motifs are in the collection of several major museums. Compare the box with item Gu 754 in the National Museum of Korea; item 22.78 in MET NYC and M.240:1, 2-1926 in V& A Museum in London. The most closely related example we found is item C232 in the collection of the Museum of East Asian Art...Category
Antique 19th Century Korean Other Metalwork
MaterialsSilver, Copper, Iron
- Pair Korean Iron Box with Silver Inlays Joseon DynastyLocated in Atlanta, GAA fine pair of Korean iron box with intricate silver inlays dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The matching circular boxes was most likely used to store tobacco lea...Category
Antique 19th Century Korean Other Metalwork
MaterialsSilver, Iron, Bronze
- Korean Antique Bronze Footed Vessel with Lid Early Joseon DynastyLocated in Atlanta, GAA bronze bowl shape vessel with fitted lid from Korean dated to 15-16th century (early Joseon Dynasty). In an elegant minimalistic form with thin wall and supported by a high foot ri...Category
Antique 16th Century Korean Other Metalwork
MaterialsBronze
- Vintage Korean Lacquer Box with Inner Tray and MOP inlaysLocated in Atlanta, GAA lovely vintage Korean lacquer box in bright red and decorated with mother-of-pearl inlays circa 1970-80s. The square form box features an auspicio...Category
Late 20th Century Korean Arts and Crafts Lacquer
MaterialsMother-of-Pearl, Lacquer
- Antique Korean Small Wood Box Joseon DynastyLocated in Atlanta, GAA small Korean antique box circa late 19th century of Joseon Dynasty. The square form box was constructed with thick hardwood planks on all side (appears to be elm) with a noticeable...Category
Antique 19th Century Korean Other Furniture
MaterialsBrass
- Fine Korean Porcelain Jar with Chrysanthemum Design Joseon DynastyLocated in Atlanta, GAA fine Korean white porcelain jar with underglaze blue painting circa second half of 19th century, Joseon Dynasty. Considered associated with Punwon-ri kilns in Gwangju, these types ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Korean Other Ceramics
MaterialsPorcelain
You May Also Like
- Antique metal Pill Box with Mother-of-Pearl inlay to lid, English EdwardianLocated in Lincoln, LincolnshireThis is a small oval shaped antique metal Pill Box with Mother-of Pearl Inlay dating to the Edwardian or late Victorian period. The box is made...Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Edwardian Metalwork
MaterialsBrass, Bronze
- Chinese Lao Tian Li Cloisonne Cylindrical Box, Late Qing Dynasty, ChinaLocated in Austin, TXA delightful antique Chinese cloisonné cylindrical box and cover by Lao Tian Li, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The box of cylindrical form and w...Category
Antique Early 1900s Chinese Qing Metalwork
MaterialsBrass, Copper, Enamel
- Fine Indian Silver Filigree Casket with Hinged Cover, 18th CenturyLocated in Amsterdam, NLA pair of very fine silver filigree rosewater sprinklers Possibly India, Karimnagar, early 18th century Measures: Height 31.6 cm and 31.7 cm,...Category
Antique 18th Century Indian Metalwork
MaterialsSilver
- Chinese Silver Repoussé Box with Warriors, Early 20th Century, ChinaLocated in Austin, TXA fine late Qing or early Republic Period Chinese silver repoussé box featuring a scene possibly from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ...Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Metalwork
MaterialsSilver
- Antique 1890s Chinese Export Silver Locking BoxBy Heng LiLocated in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon TyneAn exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese export silver box with lock; an addition to our oriental silver collection. This exceptional antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) locking box has a rectangular form. The surface of this antique box with lock is embellished with a chased decorated matte texture with a variety of embossed and chased decorated stemmed floral and foliate designs to the sides, including cherry blossom and iris arrangements. The upper surface of the cover is ornamented with an embossed and chased decorated scene depicting a grassy terrain surrounding a tree with fan shaped leaves by the side of a winding stream, with a traditional Chinese crane...Category
Antique 1890s Chinese Metalwork
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Japanese Meiji Period Silver Box Signed MasayukiLocated in Newark, EnglandJapanese Meiji period silver box with shibuichi plaque dating circa 1900. The box of rectangular form with a silver polished case stamped Jungin (J...Category
Antique Early 1900s Meiji Metalwork
MaterialsSilver