Lacquered Jewelry Chest "Peony & Butterfly" by Master Lim Chung-hyu — Urushi, Hemp & Mother-of-Pearl

A jewelry chest built the old way — wood wrapped in hemp cloth, black urushi outside, red urushi within — inlaid with peonies and butterflies in natural abalone and colored shell by Lim Chung-hyu, Korea Master Craftsman (Daehan Minguk Myeongjang) No. 384.

Lim works in the full traditional sequence that most modern najeon skips: the wooden body is reinforced with hemp cloth bonded in lacquer, the shell is set with animal-hide glue rather than synthetic adhesive, and the surface is built up and polished in natural urushi over many weeks. The result is a piece meant to last generations — the way Joseon-era najeon chests that survive today were made. Offered through the Korea Craft & Design Foundation.

Details

• Maker: Lim Chung-hyu (임충휴), Incheon · Korea Master Craftsman No. 384
• Materials: Wood, hemp cloth, natural lacquer (urushi), natural mother-of-pearl and colored shell, animal-hide glue
• Size: 27.4 × 12.5 × 16.5 cm (H)

Watch: how Korean inlaid lacquer is made

The Victoria and Albert Museum on the najeon chilgi process, from lacquer ground to cut shell. (A general introduction — not this specific piece.)

Please read before ordering

• Made to order by the master's workshop. Expect 6–10 weeks from order to delivery; we confirm the schedule within two business days, and you may cancel for a full refund until work begins.
• Natural urushi lacquer, fully cured. People highly sensitive to poison ivy, sumac or mango should handle with care.
• Shell only — no tortoiseshell or ivory. Shell species and origin confirmed before shipping.
• Ships from New Jersey. Price includes all import duties. Fully insured, signature required.