Featured Korean Lacquered Box - Any Comments

I waited over 2 hours to have the first chance to buy this shiny, lacquered box with brass fittings. It sure is pretty. I only saw this box through the window, so I didn't have a chance for a close up look before I bought it. I thought it was a jewelry box, but it appears to have only a fitted upper section that lifts off to reveal a large lower section. The inside except the interior of the lid is heavily lacquered like the outside. Its purpose is a mystery to me. It is very large at 14 inches long, 7 1/2 inches wide and 6 1/2 inches tall.
It has been around the block, so I'm hoping for some thoughts about age. The bottom has a damaged corner, and the brass top piece has a dent. It has a label. Whatever it is, I am very happy with it and will find a use for it. Any comments will be very appreciated.
Title edited based on @916Bulldogs123 translation.

 

I don't know anything about it, but it looks very cool!!

 

I was enamored at first glance too.

 

What I get from Google translate
Xing Xing Lin Raw Lacquer.
Korea raw lacquer ancient folklore.
Mikey

 

Excellent! Thank you so much! So, it's Korean. This is a great place to launch a search from.

 

It could be the wedding ceremonial item…or a gif for a bride. Very pretty.

 

Based on @916Bulldogs123 comment, I think we may be talking Korean Wedding Box - see this example from Worthpoint.



Korean jewelry box brown wood lacquer wedding dragon made in Korea | #1888378340 (worthpoint.com)

 

Exactly right! I found something similar on Worthpoint as you were posting. Thank you

 

From pinterest

 

Clearly pretty new, post WW2, but you already knew that? I'd guess 80's, 90's.

 

To add, 杏杜林 is the markers seal on the left, it say Xingdulin. Also just note the writing is Chinese, so it was likely made in China for the Korean (or export market) rather than being a Korean made piece.

Smaller text below reads Korea Raw Lacquer Ancient Folk Products

 

Yes. I didn't think it was very old, but I didn't have a range at all. Thank you.

 

Thank you very much! I took a few Chinese calligraphy classes, but only to learn about the language. I very much appreciate you identifying the source. I wish I had language skills like you.

 

It does take a long time, I don't find it easy, but it is surprising how far you can with just a few mins a day. I just try and do 10 mins a day and after a while things start to click and you notice elements which help you work things out.

 

Great advice. I’ll look into that. Do you do it in on line course or a book?

 

As I'm wanting to translate older and handwritten script most of what I do I have to find myself. I use radicals breakdown and writing translators to help with this. I do also watch/listen to some videos on basic Japanese but that doesn't help a lot for antiques (at least not for me).

So I look for auction catalogues (from the better auction houses) and try and translate words on art/pottery, then if I get stuck I can look at the auction houses professional translation to see what I did wrong or right. I'm still just at pattern recognition though, I can't 'read' kanji although I am starting to get familiar enough with a few that can give me a starter on translating.

 

The two-round pieces on the front appear to have the Chinese double happiness wedding symbol.

 

Terrific! Thank you very much. This cements the idea that this is a wedding box. I so appreciate the information. Good information too.

 

Congratulations, Teamwork answered the who, what, where, and when on this box.
Good work everyone!!
Mikey

 

Yes. It is truly splendid how everyone works together to help each other and solve the riddle.