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Mirror box

Mirror box

  • Place of origin:

    Korea (made)

  • Date:

    1800-1900 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Zelkova and amboyna wood, with brass plates

  • Museum number:

    M.399:1, 2-1912

  • Gallery location:

    In Storage

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This is a small mirror box for cosmetics and toiletries. Such boxes were popular toward the end of the Choson dynasty (1392-1910), when mirror glass began to be used in Korea. This one has a zelkova wood veneer on the outside. The hinged lid, which forms a mirror of silvered glass, has a framed veneer of amboyna, another decorative wood. There are chased brass plates on the handle, lock and hinges in the shapes of auspicious characters and animals. The central hinge on the lid, which lifts back to provide a support for the mirror, takes the form of a character meaning 'long life'. The box has a single drawer. It is decorated with brass plates in the shape of bats and other auspicious symbols. Bats (pok in Korean) are common in Korea and China as a decorative motif, since pok menas both bat and blessing.

Physical description

Small mirror box for cosmetics and toiletries, has a zelkova (type of elm) veneer on the outer sides. The hinged lid, which forms a mirror of silvered glass, is composed of a framed veneer of amboyna, a decorative timber. The box is generously fitted with chased brass plates on the handle, lock and hinges, in the shapes of auspicious characters or animals. The central hinge on the lid, which lifts back to form a support for the mirror, takes the form of a character meaning 'long life'.

The box has a single drawer. It is decorated with brass plates in the shape of bats and other symbols of longevity.

Place of Origin

Korea (made)

Date

1800-1900 (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Zelkova and amboyna wood, with brass plates

Dimensions

Height: 11.5 cm, Width: 17.8 cm, Depth: 21.2 cm

Historical context note

Boxes like this one formed part of a bride's dowry, in which she would keep trinkets, combs, make-up and hair ornaments.

Descriptive line

Mirror Box, Korea, Chosen dynasty, 1800-1900

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Beth McKillop. Korean Art and Design. London: V&A, 1992. 70.

Materials

Wood; Brass; Elm

Categories

Furniture

Collection code

EAS

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Qr_O18981
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