- Nationality/Period
Joseon Dynasty
- Materials
Wood
- Category
Housing - Daily Utensils - sewing kit - workbasket
- Dimensions
36.5x36.5x9.2cm
- Accession Number
Sinsu 13353
This “banjitgori” (Korean for “sewing box”) is a gorgeous luxury product, delicately inlaid with mother-of-pearl on both interior and exterior, and then coated with lacquer. Each side of the exterior is decorated with mother-of-pearl, forming different combinations of flowers, birds, bamboo, and rocks, while the bottom of the interior has a mother-of-pearl design of a uniquely shaped stone, a tree, and a fish within a circle. The interior of the case has a compartment for storing small items, such as needles or buttons. Sewing boxes are obviously very practical items for a household, but they also can be very stylish and attractive items, with beautiful designs on both the exterior and interior. Notably, most of the designs are based around auspicious symbols of fortune, peace, fertility, longevity, and marital bliss.