Pyongyang, March 28 (KCNA) -- The peculiar mother-of-pearl art is part of the cultural heritage showing the talents and wisdom of Koreans.

The mother-of-pearl art is a form of craftwork in which thinly processed shells are cut into various forms and inlaid into the surface of things as decoration.

In ancient times, Korean ancestors created the mother-of-pearl art by getting an idea from the formative beauty in combination of lacquering and shell decoration in woodwork and from inlaying in ceramics.

The art further developed in the period of Koryo Dynasty. Mother-of-pearl craftworks in the period were diverse in decorative materials and unique in decorative methods. Craftworks are magnificent and delicate as they are patterned with clam shell, tortoise shell, silver thread, copper thread and gold and silver powder.

Typical of them were such works as "grapevine-patterned mother-of-pearl book box", "chrysanthemum vine-patterned round box" and "chrysanthemum vine-patterned mother-of-pearl box", which are known still today.

Today, the mother-of-pearl art is being carried forward and developed with more refined and unique embellishment in conformity with the feelings of the times and the emotion of the people.

Mother-of-pearl craftworks showing the beautiful and happy life of the Korean people are exhibited at the annual national sculpture and craftwork festival in recent years to draw the attention of visitors. -0-