mother-of-pearl

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Mother-of-pearl visible in a shell fossil embedded in rock

Venetian guitar with mother-of-pearl inlays

Decorated panel with three horizontal bands showing rows of human figures, animals, and chariots in procession on a dark background.

Sandalwood lute

Stationery box decorated with peony scrolls, and lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl (15th-16th century, Korea)

Accordion with wood, metal, mastic, brass, tortoiseshell, gilt brass, silver foil, and mother-of-pearl (1850-55, Paris, France)

Folding fan, with paper and mother-of-pearl, with a scene of figures in a courtyard garden (19th century Chinese, made for the European Market)

Triptych with the Passion of Christ (1475-85, South German). Materials include mother-of-pearl with a gilt wood frame, silk backing, and tooled leather covering.

The Adoration of the Magi

Picnic bento box from Edo period with maki-e and mother-of-pearl inlays on black lacquer

mother-of-pearl: References & Edit History

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Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

Laura Payne
Laura Payne is a freelance writer whose work covers many topics. She is a former Wayne State University linguistics instructor.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Sanat Pai Raikar

Article History

Type	Description	Contributor	Date
	Media revised; questions and answers added.	Sanat Pai Raikar	Jul 16, 2025
	New article added.	Sanat Pai Raikar Laura Payne	Jun 20, 2025