Late 19th century

Garment Box

Mother-of-pearl inlay was a popular form of embellishment for women’s objects and furnishings; the elaborate peonies with swirling scrolls pattern on this box was an especially beloved motif during the Joseon period. On the lid are eight Chinese characters that express wishes for good health, wealth, peace, and many male offspring for the owner. This kind of box would have been used for clothing storage in the women’s quarter of an upper-class Korean home.