Two-Tiered Chest with Mother-of-Pearl Turtle Pattern

This nong, or chest, with its relatively large front panels surrounding the door panels, is an example of the nong in its early form. The panels were made of paulownia wood, an excellent material for clothes chests because it protects clothing against changes in temperature and humidity. Paulownia panels were treated using the nakdong technique to expose the hard wood grain by searing the bright soft surface with a hot iron and then rubbing the burned wood with straw. The resulting blackish red color lends an air of security.
The tortoiseshell pattern on the door panels was created using the kkeuneumjil technique, which involves cutting the material (mother-of-pearl) into long, thin noodle-like strips, cutting them again into pieces and inlaying them to make the desired patterns. Traditionally, nong had patterns all over the front and side panels, but this one is unique as only its door panels are decorated with mother-of-pearl inlays. The repeated tortoiseshell patterns composed of thin lines are exquisite, clear and look fresh up close. However, when seen from a distance, they blur into one surface, blending seamlessly with the impressive paulownia panels.
The large, circular tin lock plate is engraved with the eight trigrams from the Book of Changes, and the round metal fittings attached to the edges between the front panels and the top, side and bottom panels add a decorative effect.