This magnificent lacquered furniture is lavishly decorated with intricate mother of pearl designs of a pair of deer spending a happy moment in arabesque blossoms on the front door, and arabesque on the drawer. The deer is one of sipjangsaeng, 10 creatures that ancient Koreans, influenced by the Taoist philosophy, believed were created to enjoy eternal youth. The houseware coated with natural lacquer has long been used in East Asia for its glossy beauty as well as its practicality for being strong, watertight and antibacterial.

This furniture was created by one of the best Korean master craftsmen of mother of pearl in 1974. It is quite remarkable that the artist could depict the scene in such detail without brush nor pen, but only with mother of pearl strips delicately jigsaw-cut by hands one by one. The elaborate adornment of the body makes it a breathtaking piece for collection.

Since this kind of handmade mother of pearl furniture with perfect condition is very rare and the artists who can create this time consuming work of art have been disappeared in Korea, the value of this furniture will be increased when time goes by. Read More

Size: 11.8"W x 13.8"D x 19.1"H (30 x 35 x 48.5cm)