Mother of Pearl Jewelry Chest: Red Hanji with Crane and Pine Motif in Scholar’s Desk Form

“Where quiet heritage finds a moment of stillness and luminous grace.”

This jewellery chest brings together sculptural elegance and intricate Korean artistry. Its silhouette follows the shape of a gyeongsang—the traditional scholar’s table known for its softly upturned ends—here refined into a smaller, decorative form. The lifted corners give the piece a graceful, almost architectural balance.

The body is wrapped in rich red hanji, with natural fibres drifting beneath the surface like soft strokes of ink. This textured paper base adds warmth and depth, creating a gentle contrast against the cool shimmer of mother-of-pearl decoration that surrounds the chest.

Across the front and side panels, cranes, butterflies, deer, and flowering branches unfold in delicate detail. The mother-of-pearl motifs catch light from every angle—at times bright and iridescent, at times subdued and misty—giving the chest a living, changing presence. Cranes glide above landscapes of pine; deer wander among blossoms; butterflies move between them like quiet punctuation marks of good fortune.

The lid is framed like a painted panel. A powerful pine tree sweeps across the top and down the sides, sheltering a flock of cranes beneath the rising sun. The arrangement recalls the calm rhythm of a classical Korean sansuhwa landscape, turning the chest into a small tableau of harmony and movement.

Opening the lid reveals a built-in mirror and a velvet-lined space designed for rings, earrings, and small precious items. Below, four drawers offer further room for keepsakes, their metal pulls shaped in ornate traditional forms.

Though richly decorative, the chest carries a quiet composure—hanji’s warmth, mother-of-pearl’s glow, and the architectural curves of the gyeongsang meeting in a balanced, timeless gesture. It feels both intimate and dignified, a piece that brings a soft moment of beauty to any interior.

Dimensions

• Width- 25.5cm (10.03 inch)
• Depth- 15.5cm (6.1 inch)
• Height- 25.5cm (6.3 inch)

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• About Mother of Pearl Art

We ship worldwide. Following are the terms and conditions that constitute our Shipping Policy.

Artinko Products: Care and Authenticity

All information supplied through the Site is for informational purposes regarding the history and care of traditional Korean crafts. While we guarantee 100% authentic materials, Artinko is not responsible for damage caused by improper handling, such as using non-food-safe decorative items for dining or using harsh chemicals on delicate Mother-of-Pearl surfaces.

Section 13: Our Delivery Guarantee

Unlike standard templates, Artinko takes full responsibility for your order until it is safely in your hands. We understand the fragile nature of traditional Korean ceramics and lacquerware. In the rare event that an item is damaged or lost during transit, we will resend the item at no extra cost to you or issue a full refund immediately upon verification of the damage.

Returns & Refunds

• 14-Day Return Policy: Merchandise can be returned or exchanged within 14 days of receipt if the product has not been opened or used and remains in its original packaging.

• Process: To start a return or report a shipping issue, please contact us at contact@artinko.com.

• Exchanges: We only replace items if they are defective or damaged.

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• All orders are aimed to be processed within 5 days after receipt of payment. Orders are not shipped on weekends and holidays.
• If we are experiencing a high volume of orders, shipments may be delayed by a few days. We will contact you by email if there is some delay in shipment of your order.

Shipping rates and delivery estimates

• All orders are shipped by K-Packet, Air mail, EMS, Express Courier (UPS, Fedex, DHL Etc).
• K-Packet shipping is basic shipping service. K-Packet estimated shipping time is 14-21 days, depending on your region. If weight is over 2kg, K-packet service would be converted to Air Mail.
• EMS estimated shipping time is 7-14 days, depending on your region. Please note that Air Mail shipping method may not be available for all countries.
• Express Courier estimated shipping time is 5-10 days.
• Shipping charges for your order will be calculated and displayed at checkout.
• Parcels are sent tracked where possible, and you will receive an automated email with a tracking number once your order is processed.

Shipment to P.O. boxes

• We do ship to P.O. boxes

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Damages

• We pack our items with extreme care to ensure they survive the journey. In the rare event of damage, contact us immediately with a photo and we will work with you to find a solution.

Customs duty

• Please note that your parcel may be subjected to the customs of your country when it arrived in. And the customs duty is the recipient’s responsibility. USA customers only: we pay your customs fee!
• Please note we have no control over these fees. Delivery time may also be delayed if local customs have your package on hold for a long period of time.

If you have problems with delivery, please send us an email to contact@artinko.com