Mother-of-Pearl Jewelry Chest: Red Hanji Body with Crane-and-Pine Motif in Scholar’s Table 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.

Shipment processing time

• All orders are aimed to be processed within 5 daye 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.

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• 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.
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• We do ship to P.O. boxes

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• Artinko is not liable for any products damaged or lost during shipping. If you received your order damaged, please take a picture of it and contact us as soon as possible and we'll try to resolve it.

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