Najeon Chilgi Mother of Pearl Plate & Tray — Sipjangsaeng by Kim Gil-su

Overview

This Najeon Chilgi mother-of-pearl plate and tray 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. It works equally as a display centerpiece on a table or shelf and as a refined serving or catch-all tray for special occasions.

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 Kim Gil-su, 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 plate and tray; 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

Presented in its display-ready form, this piece makes an elegant gift for weddings, anniversaries, corporate occasions, or for overseas friends seeking a distinctive token of Korean artistry.