If you've been following us, you know how much we love Korean traditional art and culture. We already own a pair of Korean mother-of-pearl jewelry chests, and we had wanted a larger piece that felt more substantial. Our visit to Insadong, South Korea was the perfect opportunity to discover some of the best quality mother-of-pearl pieces.
There were a handful of stores specializing in mother-of-pearl artwork ranging from small items like cups or pens to larger items such as wall screens and tea tables. So we highly recommend a trip to Insadong if you're searching for authentic Korean mother-of-pearl products.
And you have to see them in person because the details and the translucent illumination manifest differently. The lower-quality mother-of-pearl pieces were evident when we saw them in real life.
Originally, we were considering something white.
Like this one. We figured a white jewelry chest adds a modern charm to this traditional art piece.
But this one! It was something completely extraordinary. It was 4 times more expensive than the white one, but it was also much larger. This is a piece by an artist named Inho Park, a renowned master artisan specializing in the traditional Korean craft of mother-of-pearl inlay, known as "najeonchilgi" (나전칠기).
We brought this all the way from Korea, haha!
Inho Park uses an intricate art form that involves embedding pieces of mother-of-pearl into lacquered surfaces, creating stunning decorative patterns and designs.
The primary material used in his work is mother-of-pearl, which is sourced from the inner shell layer of mollusks. This material is prized for its iridescent quality, adding a luminous and colorful dimension to his creations.
And then there is a lacquering process. The process involves embedding the mother-of-pearl into surfaces that are coated with layers of natural lacquer. This lacquer not only protects the inlay but also enhances the overall visual effect.
Inho Park uses traditional methods passed down through generations, ensuring that each piece is a testament to the heritage and meticulous craftsmanship of najeonchilgi.
The color manifests differently depending on how the light hits, and it's awe-inspiring.
The chest comes with a lock.
Shall we open it and see the inside?
The lock also features a traditional locking mechanism commonly found in Korean high-end chests - jewelry box, cabinets and closets.
We really liked how sizable this jewelry chest was. It features 2 large lined trays with earrings/rings sections.
Although we bought this mainly as a decorative object, it is actually a very functional jewelry box.
There is a large open compartment underneath the jewelry trays, and this is where Park's works truly shines. None of the jewelry boxes we saw featured this beautiful, mesmerizing irredescent mother-of-pearl luster.
As you can see, this open compartment holds a lot - we placed a travel jewelry pouch as a size reference. You could comfortably store cardboard boxes from designer brands, as well.
Inho Park is a distinguished mother-of-pearl crafter whose work exemplifies the exquisite beauty and meticulous craftsmanship of traditional Korean najeonchilgi. His dedication to preserving and innovating within this art form has made him a respected figure in the world of traditional crafts, ensuring that the legacy of mother-of-pearl inlay continues to inspire and enchant audiences around the globe.
If you've been following us, you know how much we love Korean traditional art and culture. We already own a pair of Korean mother-of-pearl jewelry chests, and we had wanted a larger piece that felt more substantial. Our visit to Insadong, South Korea was the perfect opportunity to discover some of the best quality mother-of-pearl pieces.
There were a handful of stores specializing in mother-of-pearl artwork ranging from small items like cups or pens to larger items such as wall screens and tea tables. So we highly recommend a trip to Insadong if you're searching for authentic Korean mother-of-pearl products.
And you have to see them in person because the details and the translucent illumination manifest differently. The lower-quality mother-of-pearl pieces were evident when we saw them in real life.
Originally, we were considering something white.
Like this one. We figured a white jewelry chest adds a modern charm to this traditional art piece.
But this one! It was something completely extraordinary. It was 4 times more expensive than the white one, but it was also much larger. This is a piece by an artist named Inho Park, a renowned master artisan specializing in the traditional Korean craft of mother-of-pearl inlay, known as "najeonchilgi" (나전칠기).
We brought this all the way from Korea, haha!
Inho Park uses an intricate art form that involves embedding pieces of mother-of-pearl into lacquered surfaces, creating stunning decorative patterns and designs.
The primary material used in his work is mother-of-pearl, which is sourced from the inner shell layer of mollusks. This material is prized for its iridescent quality, adding a luminous and colorful dimension to his creations.
And then there is a lacquering process. The process involves embedding the mother-of-pearl into surfaces that are coated with layers of natural lacquer. This lacquer not only protects the inlay but also enhances the overall visual effect.
Inho Park uses traditional methods passed down through generations, ensuring that each piece is a testament to the heritage and meticulous craftsmanship of najeonchilgi.
The color manifests differently depending on how the light hits, and it's awe-inspiring.
The chest comes with a lock.
Shall we open it and see the inside?
The lock also features a traditional locking mechanism commonly found in Korean high-end chests - jewelry box, cabinets and closets.
We really liked how sizable this jewelry chest was. It features 2 large lined trays with earrings/rings sections.
Although we bought this mainly as a decorative object, it is actually a very functional jewelry box.
There is a large open compartment underneath the jewelry trays, and this is where Park's works truly shines. None of the jewelry boxes we saw featured this beautiful, mesmerizing irredescent mother-of-pearl luster.
As you can see, this open compartment holds a lot - we placed a travel jewelry pouch as a size reference. You could comfortably store cardboard boxes from designer brands, as well.
Inho Park is a distinguished mother-of-pearl crafter whose work exemplifies the exquisite beauty and meticulous craftsmanship of traditional Korean najeonchilgi. His dedication to preserving and innovating within this art form has made him a respected figure in the world of traditional crafts, ensuring that the legacy of mother-of-pearl inlay continues to inspire and enchant audiences around the globe.