Κουτί Κοσμημάτων Najeon Chilgi με Μοτίβο Γερανού - Ξύλο, Μητέρα του μαργαριταριού - 오명호 Oh Myeong-ho - Κορέα - 20th century

【Item Description】
Oh Myeong-ho 오명호 — a certified Najeon Chilgi (Korean mother-of-pearl lacquerware) craftsman, officially registered as Cultural Heritage Skill Holder No. 007027 (문화재기능인 제007027호) — presents this exquisite mother-of-pearl inlaid jewellery box, showcasing the celebrated traditional craft of Korean shell inlay. This compact treasure chest features a rich, deep red lacquered body, hinged at the centre to open into two halves, each revealing two small drawers for a total of four compartments.

The entire surface is adorned with intricate iridescent mother-of-pearl inlay depicting graceful cranes amid blossoming flowers and scrolling foliage. In Korean tradition the crane is revered as a noble emblem of longevity and grace, echoing the spirit of Sipjangsaeng (the Ten Symbols of Longevity), a beloved decorative theme historically used to wish long life and good fortune. The two front doors meet at a delicate butterfly-shaped silver-tone clasp — the fluttering butterfly a traditional symbol of joy and marital harmony — while the drawer fronts are further decorated with cranes and phoenix-like birds amid scrolling clouds. All of these motifs are framed by finely inlaid scrollwork and a geometric key-fret border.

The shimmering mother-of-pearl catches the light in shifting hues of green, blue, pink, and gold, creating a luminous, ever-changing effect against the glossy red lacquer ground. A refined, artist-attributed example of Korean najeon chilgi craftsmanship, combining decorative artistry with practical jewellery storage.

【Size】
Height: 8.5 cm
Width: 17 cm
Depth: 8.5 cm

【Weight】
1077 g

【Condition】
Excellent condition overall — no chips, cracks, or losses to the mother-of-pearl inlay, with a bright, glossy lacquer finish throughout and smooth-opening drawers.

【Artist Profile】
Oh Myeong-ho is a certified traditional craftsman (문화재기능인, Cultural Heritage Skill Holder No. 007027) specialising in Najeon Chilgi, Korean mother-of-pearl lacquerware. He is the representative artisan of the workshop Gukseon Otchil (국선옻칠), which carries on a family tradition spanning two generations and 43 years. His accolades include the Grand Prize at the 3rd Korea Najeon Chilgi Skills Competition (2012), the Silver Award at the Jongno Tourism Product Design Competition (2010), and an invited-artist exhibition at the Cheong Wa Dae Sarangchae traditional craft demonstration commemorating the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, alongside numerous other national craft awards and citations between 2008 and 2014, including work exhibited at the Paris International Fair in France (2011).

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Shipping & Important Notice

[Shipping]
The lot will be carefully packaged and shipped from Japan with tracking via Japan Post, DHL, or FedEx, depending on the situation. It normally takes about 3 weeks for delivery.

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Import duties, taxes, and VAT are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility and vary by country.

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