Mother-of-Pearl Jewelry Box: Crane Landscape with Longevity Symbols

“Where shimmering shells gather into a quiet scene of blessings and long life.”

This exquisite jewellery box, crafted by mother-of-pearl artist Park In-Ho, is adorned on every visible surface—except the base—with meticulously arranged shell pieces that shift in colour with the light. Its appearance changes gently from moment to moment, revealing new hues of violet, blue, and soft green as the viewer moves, creating the impression of a living artwork.

Along the sides and back, a deep field of swirling motifs provides the backdrop for a constellation of circular emblems. Within each roundel, the **Four Gracious Plants—plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo—**appear alongside traditional symbols of longevity including deer and turtles. This combination of motifs quietly echoes classical Korean aesthetics: resilience, integrity, and the promise of long, harmonious life.

The lid presents the box’s most striking composition. A finely framed panel encloses a tranquil crane landscape, where red-crowned cranes gather beneath the sun, surrounded by pines and soft clouds. It feels almost like a single scene lifted from a hanging scroll and set into a frame—an artwork that can be approached both as craft and as painting.

Opening the lid reveals a clear mirror, allowing the wearer to view jewellery as it is being placed. A removable velvet-lined tray provides elegant organisation for rings and earrings, its deep crimson tone adding warmth and contrast to the cool shimmering exterior. Lifting this tray reveals yet another surprise: the inner floor of the box is also decorated with mother-of-pearl, underscoring the maker’s commitment to refinement, even in hidden details.

This piece is not simply a storage box but a small heirloom object—one that rewards close, unhurried looking. In a calm interior, whether on a bedside table or a curated shelf, it introduces a sense of quiet ceremony: the feeling of bringing a traditional artwork into everyday life.

A celebration of colour, symbolism, and craftsmanship, it stands as a contemporary continuation of Korea’s mother-of-pearl tradition—radiant, thoughtful, and beautifully made.

*The new removable velvet-lined tray is designed with two compartments rather than three, offering a cleaner and more spacious interior layout.

Dimensions

• Width- 27cm (10.63 inch)
• Depth-17cm (6.69 inch)
• Height-11cm (4.33 inch)

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• About Mother of Pearl Art

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