Lacquer made from the sap of a tree, Rhus verniciflua, which grows throughout Asia. The sap is filtered to remove impurities and then applied to a carefully prepared base of wood, paper or other materials. The lacquer is applied in many layers and the surface is carefully polished between each application. The sap can be coloured to produce coloured lacquer; black and red are the most common colours.

The art of lacquering was introduced to Korea from China in the 3rd century BC. During the Koryŏ period (AD 935-1392) it reached a high point in technical and artistic achievement. At this time lacquered objects were inlaid with mother-of-pearl, tortoise shell, twisted brass wire and other materials. A wide variety of inlaid lacquered Buddhist objects were made, including boxes for sutras, rosary beads and incense.

Metal ware production also flourished during the Koryŏ period. Many bronzes were made for use in Buddhist rituals; the most important were temple bells. The practice of casting bells was a burden on the ordinary people of Korea as they had to donate used bronze wares for casting new bells. The bronzes were often decorated with inlaid gold and silver wire. In Korea this technique was first used in the 4th century AD and it was developed to a high level during the Koryŏ period.