Korea

by Kenta Takeshige

In Korean, lacquer is Ottchil.
The technique of "Mother-of-Pearl" is the main lacquer technique on the Korean Peninsula. It was introduced from China during its Tang dynasty which accords with the Silla era of Korea. During the Goryeo dynasty that followed in Korea, it was continually influenced by the Mother-of-Pearl technique from the Chinese Song dynasty. However, the lacquer art on the Korean Peninsula gradually evolved into its unique national style.

Korean inlay techniques

There aren’t many examples of Goryeo Mother-of-Pearl lacquerware which have been passed on to this day. Most of them were manufactured for Buddhist practice. The typical Goryeo Mother-of-Pearl is featuring chrysanthemum which refers to not only beauty and fragrance but also longevity. The floral is often combined with arabesque patterns over the entire surface. On the edge, there are bead-patterns inlays. Precious metal wires were laid into the stem of flowers and boundary lines. Another feature is that the tortoiseshell was inlaid as well. The color effect was enhanced by using colors at the back of the tortoiseshell.

Goryeo lacquerware is described as luxurious and delicate. Lacquerware in the Joseon dynasty was influenced by Confucianism opting for more free and natural expressions freed of the predominant stylistic beauty of its predecessor.

Inlay of Mother-of-Pearl generally refers to shell pieces, but technically it is not limited to shell: fangs/horns, tortoiseshell, metals, crystals, ambers, and other jewelries can be used just as well as decorations. There is a theory that this inlay technique already existed in ancient Egypt and was brought to China by western countries through the Silk Road during the Tang dynasty.