Mirror Box thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

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

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Drawer
  • Cabinet
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
  • Height: 11.5cm
  • Width: 17.8cm
  • Depth: 21.2cm
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.
Collection
Accession number
M.399:1, 2-1912

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Record createdJanuary 6, 2000
Record URL
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