• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.25
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• pp.27-34
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• 2021

A Goryeo-era mother-of-pearl-inlaid incense box in the collection of the National Museum of Korea, a major example of Goryeo dynasty cultural heritage, presents a comprehensive view of the production techniques and aesthetic expressions of its time. This study investigated the type of wood and the techniques used to make the framework of the box, knowledge that was necessary for its restoration. It also examined anatomical characteristics of the shell providing the mother-of-pearl. The incense box was found to be made of cedar, which suggests that there was trade in cedar with Japan. A band was attached to the lower portion of the lid by applying what the author describes as a "wrinkle-bending" technique at the corners. Wooden pegs were used to combine the top and side panels, probably for more efficient use of the thin wooden boards. The investigation of the anatomical features of the mother-of-pearl inlay identified a laminated structure of thin plates. These features are observed in certain shellfish, and further study would be required to accurately identify the type of shell.