Box with chrysanthemum motif

This box from the Joseon dynasty makes an interesting comparison with the trefoil-shaped covered box from the Goryeo dynasty displayed in this case. The two boxes have similar decorative motifs—chrysanthemums—but the techniques and approaches to the materials, especially mother-of-pearl, are different. In this Joseon-dynasty work, mother-of-pearl is the main design material; most of the areas within the flowers and leaves are solely inlaid with mother-of-pearl. In contrast, on the trefoil-shaped covered box, Goryeo artisans included other materials, such as tortoiseshell painted on the reverse. The use of metal wire was confined to the branches in the Joseon dynasty box, unlike most Goryeo lacquerwares. While Goryeo mother-of-pearl lacquerwares were adorned with densely patterned decorative motifs, Joseon lacquerware motifs became more sparsely patterned, more naturalistic, and surrounded by negative space. Joseon artisans put more emphasis on highlighting the distinct characteristics of the raw material, mother-of-pearl.