Vintage Korean jewelry box - mother of pearl

Korean jewelry box decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay, a traditional craft known as "Najeon Chilgi". This technique involves applying lacquer to a wooden base and then embedding pieces of mother-of-pearl to create intricate designs. The box in the image features a pattern of birds and a tree, which are common motifs in Korean art, often symbolizing longevity and good fortune. The background of the box has a striped pattern, enhancing the contrast and highlighting the iridescent quality of the mother-of-pearl. These boxes are often used for storing jewelry and other small valuables, and are considered both functional and decorative items.