Red Lacquered Workbox

This workbox consists of two tiers; the upper tier is divided into three compartments while the lower tier has a drawer. The exterior was lacquered in red and the interior in black. The ornamentation of metal parts, hinges, handles and L-shaped fittings at the corners are wrought with comb tooth designs.

This workbox was used in the Joseon court as a container for the storage of tools and materials for sewing, such as needle, thread, ruler, scissors, thimble and fabric pieces. The color combination of red and black is distinctive of Korean traditional lacquer ware.

2층으로 된 궁중용 반짇그릇이다. 밑층은 서랍이며 위층의 내부를 세칸으로 구왹하여 작은 칸 두 개에는 소품들을 담도록 배려하였다. 여성의 필수품인 규중칠우 (閨中七友: 바늘, 실, 자, 가위, 인두, 골무, 다리미)를 담아두는 반짇그릇은 신분과 빈부의 차이에 따라 나전, 화각, 나무, 대, 종이, 싸리 등 여러 재료로 만들었다. 이 반짇그릇은 백골바탕에 내면은 흑칠黑漆, 외면은 주칠朱漆이 되어, 한국 전통 칠기의 색채를 보여준다. 낙목바탕과 서랍 고리바탕, 경첩 등에 타날문打捺文을 장식하고 국화 거멀감잡이를 대는 등 정교한 금구장식을 하였다.

Provenance

By 1917, Denman Waldo Ross (b. 1853 - d. 1935), Cambridge; 1917, gift of Ross to the MFA (Accession Date: April 5, 1917).

Credit Line

Denman Waldo Ross Collection

Red Lacquered Workbox

  • 주칠朱漆 반짇그릇
  • Korean, Joseon dynasty, 18th century
Korea
Dimensions
12.5 x 30.3 x 19.5 cm (4 15/16 x 11 15/16 x 7 11/16 in.)
Medium or Technique
Wood body with red and black lacquer and metal fittings
Classification
Lacquer works
Type
Vessel
Accession Number
17.1276
Not on view

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