Stacking Chest
1890-1910 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Lacquer is the sap from the tree Rhus verniciflua that grows mainly in East Asia. After processing it is applied in many thin layers to a base material. The earliest extant Korean lacquer objects come from a burial site in South Kyongsang Province, dated to the first century BC.
This red lacquer stacking chest makes lavish use of brass plates and hinges to strengthen and enhance the simple box construction. Various outdoor scenes have been inlaid with mother-of-pearl.The two chests are not joined, they simply sit one on top of the other. They rest on a matching red lacquer stand. Such a stand would have protected the chests from ondol heating, this being the underfloor heating that was, and still is, in use in Korea. Since this chest was designed to be placed against the wall, its back is not decorated.
This red lacquer stacking chest makes lavish use of brass plates and hinges to strengthen and enhance the simple box construction. Various outdoor scenes have been inlaid with mother-of-pearl.The two chests are not joined, they simply sit one on top of the other. They rest on a matching red lacquer stand. Such a stand would have protected the chests from ondol heating, this being the underfloor heating that was, and still is, in use in Korea. Since this chest was designed to be placed against the wall, its back is not decorated.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Lacquered wood, with mother-of-pearl inlay |
| Brief description | Woo, Korea, furniture, lacquer |
| Physical description | This red lacquer and mother-of-pearl stacking chest makes lavish use of brass plates and hinges to strengthen and enhance the simple box construction. Various outdoor scenes are depicted in the panels. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by Miss Christobel Hardcastle |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Lacquer is the sap from the tree Rhus verniciflua that grows mainly in East Asia. After processing it is applied in many thin layers to a base material. The earliest extant Korean lacquer objects come from a burial site in South Kyongsang Province, dated to the first century BC. This red lacquer stacking chest makes lavish use of brass plates and hinges to strengthen and enhance the simple box construction. Various outdoor scenes have been inlaid with mother-of-pearl.The two chests are not joined, they simply sit one on top of the other. They rest on a matching red lacquer stand. Such a stand would have protected the chests from ondol heating, this being the underfloor heating that was, and still is, in use in Korea. Since this chest was designed to be placed against the wall, its back is not decorated. |
| Associated object | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.226-1974 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 15, 1999 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
