Najeon Chilgi Mother of Pearl Folding Screen — Sipjangsaeng by Jang Tae-bok

Overview

This Najeon Chilgi mother-of-pearl folding screen (byeongpung) features the Sipjangsaeng (십장생 (Sipjangsaeng, the Ten Symbols of Longevity)) motif, a Korean symbol of long life and good fortune. Hand-inlaid iridescent shell is set into deep Korean lacquer, so the design shifts in color as the light moves. A folding screen brings a focal point of artistry to a living room, entryway, or study, and can be partly folded to stand freely on a console or floor.

Heritage & Craft

Sipjangsaeng gathers the ten traditional Korean symbols of long life—sun, mountain, water, rock, cloud, pine, the bullocho fungus of immortality, turtle, deer, and crane—into a single auspicious composition. Long favored by the royal court for blessings of health and longevity, the motif is painstakingly rendered here in cut mother-of-pearl, each element shimmering against the black lacquer.

Artist

This piece is attributed to Jang Tae-bok, a Korean najeon-chilgi artisan. Because every motif is cut and laid by hand, each work carries its own subtle variations—making this an effectively one-of-a-kind piece.

Specifications

• Material: wood with natural Korean lacquer (ottchil) and mother-of-pearl (najeon) inlay.
• Format: decorative folding screen (byeongpung); exact dimensions shown in the product images.
• Care: dust with a soft, dry cloth; keep away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture to protect the lacquer and shell inlay.
• Origin: Handcrafted in Korea (najeon-chilgi, mother-of-pearl inlaid lacquerware).

Gifting

A folding screen of this kind is a statement gift for a milestone—housewarmings, anniversaries, retirements, or a memorable present for friends abroad who appreciate authentic Korean craft and heritage decor.