Shell and Resin: Korean Mother-of-Pearl and Lacquer

This exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum presents a focused study of two of Korea's most celebrated decorative arts traditions: mother-of-pearl inlay (nacre) and lacquerware. The works on view demonstrate the exceptional craftsmanship and aesthetic refinement that characterize these techniques, which have been central to Korean artistic practice for centuries. Through carefully selected examples, the exhibition illuminates the technical virtuosity and cultural significance of these traditions.