Rare Goryeo mother-of-pearl box makes public debut following return from Japan

A rare Goryeo-era artifact, the "Box with Inlaid Mother-of-pearl Chrysanthemum and Scroll Design," is on display at the National Palace Museum of Korea. This special exhibition marks the first public display of the box since its return from Japan earlier this year.

Crafted during the Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392), the lacquered box measures 185 by 330 by 194 millimeters and is a fine example of the exquisite craftsmanship of the era. It features a detachable lid and is adorned with nacre from abalone and conch shells.

The return of the box is a milestone in the efforts to reclaim Korean cultural artifacts. The Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation played a pivotal role in its recovery. According to the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA), the lacquerware had been in the possession of a private Japanese collector for over a century. The foundation first confirmed its existence in July 2022 and successfully retrieved it after a year of research and negotiations.

Goryeo mother-of-pearl lacquerware is known for its rarity and beauty, with only about 20 pieces existing worldwide. These artifacts often served as containers for Buddhist scriptures or were crafted into circular or foliate-shaped boxes.

This box's decoration stands out with its chrysanthemum vine pattern, peony vine pattern on the lid's top edge, and small bead patterns along the borders. It is created using the traditional "moksimjeopi" method, which involves attaching fabrics such as ramie or hemp to a wooden mold, followed by mother-of-pearl decoration.

The exhibition not only showcases the box but also includes 3D computerized scans, X-ray photographs and results of scientific investigations for conservation. These provide insights into the artifact's production techniques, such as the “moksimjeopi” method, allowing visitors to appreciate the intricate craftsmanship in greater detail.

Choi Eung-chon, head of the CHA, will deliver a special lecture titled “Excellence of Goryeo Mother-of-Pearl Art,” aiming to educate the public about the high-level artistry of Goryeo's mother-of-pearl craft, which was highly praised by Xu Jing, an envoy of the Northern Song Dynasty, in the 12th century. Xu wrote that "the workmanship of the (Goryeo) mother-of-pearl craft is so exquisite that it is worthy of being called precious" in his book "Xuanhe Fengshi Gaoli Tujing" (Illustrated Account of the Xuanhe Embassy to Goryeo), published in 1124.

The museum, located in the corner of Gyeongbok Palace grounds, noted that this exhibition is an opportunity for the public to appreciate the beauty of Goryeo mother-of-pearl craftsmanship as well as raise awareness on returned cultural heritage.

The exhibit "Hall of the Exquisite and Treasurable — Box with Inlaid Mother-of-pearl Chrysanthemum and Scroll Design" runs through Jan. 7, 2024.