Masterpiece Najeonchilgi Rose Drawer Mother of Pearl Jewelry Box (Red), 21 cm (Master Artisan Kim Young-man)

Overview

The red-ground version of the Rangjae rose drawer box, 21 cm, made by Kim Young-man. Colour is the whole argument for this variant: against a red lacquer field the nacre turns warm and coppery, picking up pinks and golds that simply do not appear when the same shell is set on black. A drawer runs beneath the main compartment for rings and smaller pieces.

Heritage & Craft

Coloured lacquer grounds are harder to bring to a flawless finish than black, because pigment sits in suspension and any thin patch in the polish shows as a lighter bloom. The artisan therefore builds more coats than a black piece would need and takes the final grinding down more cautiously, stopping the moment the shell sits level.

Red in Korean tradition is a colour of vitality and protection — used on gates, on ceremonial dress, on objects meant to keep misfortune out. Combined with the rose, a motif of straightforward affection, the piece ends up saying something warmer and less formal than the crane-and-pine heirlooms it shares a workshop with.

Artist

Made by master artisan Kim Young-man, working in the najeonchilgi shell-inlay and lacquer tradition.

Specifications

• Material: wood core, natural mother-of-pearl inlay, lacquer finish
• Motif: rose
• Colour: red lacquer ground
• Form: drawer-type jewelry box
• Size: approx. 21 cm
• Workshop mark: Rangjae
• Origin: Handmade in South Korea
• Brand: K-Crafts | Code: KS-P0000MXY

Gifting

Red is the celebratory colour for Lunar New Year and for wedding-season gifts, and it photographs well enough to work as an anniversary or engagement present. Choose this over the black version for a recipient whose room already leans warm.