Cleveland Museum of Art

Foliate-Shaped Tray with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay

Date

late 1400s–early 1500s

Medium

Inlaid abalone shells on black lacquer ground, applied with red lacquer on the interior

Culture

Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)

Department

Korean Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Since the Goryeo dynasty, Korean mother-of-pearl lacquerware has been admired for its refinement, though few early examples survive. This tray, datable to the late 1400s or early 1500s, is exceptional for both rarity and condition. Its foliate form, peony vine motif, and intricate lattice border—originally derived from Goryeo-period decorative arts—are exquisitely reinterpreted through the refined craftsmanship of early Joseon artisans. This tray’s intricately decorated surface was created through a labor-intensive inlay technique employing thin, precisely cut abalone shell.

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