TWO KOREAN SILVER-INLAID IRON BOXES

TWO KOREAN SILVER-INLAID IRON BOXES
JOSEON DYNASTY, 18TH/19TH CENTURY

Both of rectangular shape and decorated with a shou (double happiness) character to the cover, the largest with symbols of longevity including deer, cranes and the Yeonggwi (Spirit Turtle) on dense grounds of diaper, cash and other geometric designs, 9cm x 13.9cm x 10.5cm; the other box with a sliding cover and a bat-shaped handle, 5.7cm x 9.9cm x 6.5cm; together with a Chinese rectangular box decorated with copper and brass inlay on a pewter ground, 17th century, the sliding cover with a scene depicting a dignitary and four scholar-officials overlooked by a lady in a pavilion, 16.7cm. (5)

Provenance: from an English private collection, London.