Box with decoration of peony scrolls

Box with decoration of peony scrolls

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Korean lacquers from the early Joseon period expanded on the earlier tradition of using mother-of-pearl inlay by covering the entire surface with a single element, such as the peony scroll on this box. The use of slightly larger pieces of pearl shell and a greater interest in negative space also help

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Box with decoration of peony scrollsBox with decoration of peony scrollsBox with decoration of peony scrollsBox with decoration of peony scrollsBox with decoration of peony scrolls

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.