Mother of Pearl Jewelry Box: Peacock and Peony Motif on Deep Purple Hanji Ground

This piece is chosen by those who are drawn to objects that hold depth rather than brightness, and meaning rather than display.

“A garden appears as evening settles, its colours deepening as light withdraws.”

This two-tier jewellery box is conceived as a composed interior rather than a simple container. The lid and the upper stand are structurally linked, allowing the interior to open in a single, measured movement through the butterfly-shaped metal handle. With one gesture, both levels are revealed together, offering a calm, uninterrupted view of what is held within.

The upper tier is proportioned for earrings, rings, and smaller personal items, while the lower compartment accommodates pieces of freer scale. Inside the lid, a mirror is quietly set, present for reflection and confirmation without interrupting the restraint of the interior space.

Across the surface, thinly worked shell pieces are cut and arranged to form peacocks, flowering peonies, birds, rocks, and plum blossoms. In Korean cultural symbolism, the peacock embodies dignity and protection, while peonies have long signified honour and abundance. The plum blossom, flowering in the cold, represents endurance and moral clarity. These motifs are not layered for spectacle, but composed as a single pictorial field, recalling a painted garden rather than an ornamental pattern.

Beneath the layered shellwork lies a ground of traditional Korean hanji, dyed to a deep, muted purple and wrapped around the body before the decorative surface is completed. The colour settles into the fibres of the paper itself, creating depth without gloss and weight without heaviness. Against this subdued ground, the shellwork emerges softly, its iridescence restrained and measured rather than vivid.

The purple tone recalls a garden at dusk, when forms recede and colour gathers inward. It draws the imagery away from description and towards contemplation, allowing the surface to be read slowly, and differently, over time.

The overall form remains composed and compact. Edges are softened, proportions carefully held, and the metal fittings—most notably the butterfly handle—serve as functional punctuation rather than ornament. Nothing asserts itself. The box invites repeated opening, quiet use, and familiarity earned through time.

In this way, the object exists not as decoration, but as a steady presence—one that shelters what is precious while offering its meaning gradually, through touch and return.

Dimensions

• Width- 19cm (7.48 inch)
• Depth- 14cm (5.5 inch)
• Height- 9cm (3.54 inch)

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• About Mother of Pearl Art

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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.

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