Mother-of-Pearl Jewelry Chest: Butterfly and Peony Motif, Scholar’s Style

A quiet heirloom, where floral dreams and scholarly grace reside in shell and wood.

This elegant jewelry chest draws upon a rich legacy of Korean craftsmanship, combining timeless design with the natural iridescence of mother-of-pearl. Inspired by the aesthetics of a traditional scholar’s chest—marked by the distinctive upward sweep of the top corners—this piece balances subtle restraint with luxurious detail.

Unlike lacquered high-gloss finishes, this version is rendered in a soft matte tone. The surface gently absorbs the light, offering a velvety depth that contrasts beautifully with the luminous shimmer of the inlay. This interplay between texture and light invites repeated viewing, as each angle and time of day reveals a new facet—like a poem read again and again, always fresh.

The chest is adorned with hand-cut pieces of mother-of-pearl, arranged into a delicate tableau of butterflies and peonies. The butterflies flutter freely across the surface, light and playful. The peonies—symbols of beauty and honour—anchor the scene with layered fullness. Together, they evoke a quiet vitality, a celebration of both stillness and motion.

Beneath the lid, a deep compartment is lined in rich wine velvet. A central ring insert offers order for treasured bands, while the built-in mirror behind the lid brings a practical intimacy to the ritual of adornment—an invitation to pause and reflect. Below, four drawers slide smoothly, designed for earrings, necklaces, keepsakes—each drawer a chapter in one’s personal story.

The subtle scholar’s curve of the chest’s top edge is more than decorative: it is a technical challenge that adds refinement and speaks to the cabinetmaker’s dedication. Like the scholar’s desk it recalls, this box is both beautiful and intelligent in form.

This is not merely a jewelry chest.

It is a work of quiet opulence—

a place where reflection, memory, and adornment find a home.

Dimensions

• 19x12.5x15cm

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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.

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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• You will receive a shipment confirmation email with a tracking number once your order has been shipped.

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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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• 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.
• 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 goryeo.artinko@gmail.com