Mirror Box
1800-1900 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
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.
Object details
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Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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Materials and techniques | Zelkova and amboyna wood, with brass plates |
Brief description | Mirror Box, Korea, Chosen dynasty, 1800-1900 |
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. |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Object history | Purchased from Messrs. Kavanough & Co. (Seoul, Korea), accessioned in 1912. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
Historical context | Boxes like this one formed part of a bride's dowry, in which she would keep trinkets, combs, make-up and hair ornaments. |
Summary | 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. |
Bibliographic reference | Beth McKillop. Korean Art and Design. London: V&A, 1992. 70.
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Collection | |
Accession number | M.399:1, 2-1912 |
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Record created | January 6, 2000 |
Record URL |
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