Lot 750 | Lidded box with flower tendrils

LIDDED BOX WITH FLOWER TENDRILS.

Origin: Korea.
Dynasty: Early to mid Joseon dynasty (1392-1897).
Technique: Najeonchilgi - Wood with lacquer, inlay of mother-of-pearl from abalone. Inside and underneath lacquered black.
Description: The rectangular lidded box is decorated on all sides with rows of flowers connected by
tendrils with dense leaves.
Measurement: H.6.5cm, 24.8x13cm.
Condition B/C. Traces of use, chipped, some inlay fallen out, lacquer browned.


It is questionable whether the present brownish tone of the lacquer base was intended, or if it has faded over the course of time from an originally black color. The use of the box cannot be attributed with certainty. Due to its size, it could have been used for Buddhist documents, but also for storing ink, grinding stone and brushes.

The pattern of dense leaf tendrils with flowers goes back to forerunners of the Goryeo dynasty.

Provenance:
Collection Dr. Franz Haniel (1883-1965), since then bequest of the family estate.

Compare:
In the collection of the British Museum London a sutra box with a similar pattern, but dated to the 13th c. Inv. no. 1966,1221.1.

Literature:
The National Museum of Korea. Seoul. 1964/1972. no. 210 and 211, pp. 108-109.