The art of adding mother-of-pearl inlay to lacquerware has been practiced in Korea for more than a thousand years. The Korean term for it is Najeonchilgi, from the words najeon, meaning mother-of-pearl, and chilgi, lacquer. It is a lengthy process that requires skill and patience the artisan builds through years of training.

The artisan must prepare the mother-of-pearl shells, cut them into delicate slices or intricate shapes, lacquer to the object to be decorated, apply the shells, add more coats of lacquer and finally sand and polish the object. Even today, artisans prefer using traditional materials and methods that have been handed down over generations.

Najeonchilgi has lost popularity since the 1970s, but some artisans continue to practice it and make works of art or luxury goods on commission. Older pieces are sought as antiques. Auction house Nye & Company described this Najeonchilgi chest as an Emperor chest and sold it for $2,048.

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Q: I have a “document” that starts out with “Address delivered at the dedication at the Cemetery at Gettysburg,” signed by Abraham Lincoln, November 19, 1863. I have had it since 1966, given to me and my mother, who said she got it from her late father, my grandfather James Elmer West. He was born in 1863 in Lincoln, Nebraska, and lived most of his simple life as a baker and one of the first mail carriers by horse and buggy in his small community in northern Minnesota. I am guessing that it is a copy of some sort but would like to have someone look at it. It is on parchment paper (or what appears to be) and I have always had it in a glass frame, as did my mother. Any suggestions as to where we could take it?

A: Your document is a copy of the Gettysburg Address, one of the most famous speeches in American history. Reporters transcribed the speech onsite and printed it in newspapers the following day. The first copy with Lincoln’s signature was printed in the book “Autograph Leaves of Our Country’s Authors” in 1864 to sell at a fundraising event for the Union war effort. This version, often called the “Bliss copy” after the book’s publisher, Alexander Bliss, is considered the authorized version of Lincoln’s speech. It has been reprinted and copied many times since then. Antique copies can be worth hundreds of dollars. To authenticate yours, you may want to consult an antiquarian book dealer in your area. You could find one through The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (abaa.org). An autograph dealer may be able to help. The Professional Autograph Dealers Association (padaweb org) can help you find one. If you decide to get your document formally appraised (a word of warning — appraisals are expensive), you can find qualified appraisers through the American Society of Appraisers (appraisers.org), the International Society of Appraisers (isa-appraisers.org) or the Appraisers Association of America (appraisersassociation.org).

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TIP: Mother-of-pearl for inlays can be bought at a guitar factory. You may have to sand the back to make the inlay thinner.

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Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, (Name of this newspaper), King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.

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CURRENT PRICES

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.

Fishing, wall hanging, figural, lure, wood, painted, green, red, yellow, scale texture, hair tail, hook, marked, Carl’s Shore Birds, Niskayuna, N.Y., 24 inches, $60.

Lustres, cranberry glass, shaped rim, gilt trim, enamel, flower garland, prisms, baluster stem, 12 inches, pair, $80.

Basket, Iroquois, staves, potato stamped, alternating green leaves and red medallions, round lip, square base, 12 x 12 inches, $90.

Pottery-midcentury, vase, squat, mottled brown glaze, repeating stylized starbursts, shoulders, flared lip, signed, F. Carlton Ball, 4 inches, $345.

Bank, mechanical, owl, glass eyes, turns head, J.&E. Stevens & Co., c. 1880, 7 1/2 inches, $405.

Textile, flag, American, 46 stars, Grand Army of the Republic, gilt and black lettering, In Memoriam Bosworth Post No. 2 G.A.R., Portland, Maine, c. 1909, 29 x 44 inches, $630.