Korean Choson Yi Bandaji Chest Tansu Brass Hardware

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Korean: Furniture Pre 1900: item #761102

Korean Yi dynasty front opening bandaji (storage chest) decorated with elaborate openwork brass hardware and the original key and fish-form lock. A large handle at the bottom is accented with three plates in the form of bats. The drop-front door opens to reveal a single small shelf in the interior. Late 19th century. Side carrying handles. 31”H x 33 ¼”W x 17”D. Very good overall condition with original finish.

Korean Bandaji Storage Chest Tansu White Brass Hardware

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Korean: Furniture Pre 1920: item #761086

Korean front opening bandaji (storage chest) decorated with white brass hardware incised with fish and yin/yang designs. The front drops open to reveal three interior drawers and a removable shelf above a large hidden lower compartment. Complete with the original functioning key and lock, which is finely incised with a calligraphy motif. Side carrying handles. Dates from the early 20th century. 31 ½”H x 38 ¼”W x 17”D. Very good overall condition. The chains were added to the door before ... Click for details

Rare North Korean Personal Dining Table of Red Pine

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Korean: Furniture Pre 1900: item #648461
0112

Haeju-ban (Soban, or Personal Dining tables from Haeju, North Korea) are among the most highly prized of Korean small antique furniture pieces. This is an especially rare and fine Haeju-ban, because it is made entirely of fine red pine, and because of the Zen simplicity of its design. The side panels are carved out with the simple yet very meaningful Zen circle, symbol of enlightenment and eternity, and the apron is carved with a design representative of Zen humility and simplicity. Pieces of eq... Click for details

Fine North Korean Personal Dining Table from Haeju

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Korean: Furniture Pre 1900: item #648458
0111

Haeju-ban (Soban, or Personal Dining tables from Haeju, North Korea) are among the most highly prized of Korean small antique furniture pieces. This beautiful Soban is a fine example, with its nicely carved Buddhist swastika, symbol of universal peace and harmony. Pieces of equal quality to this all original and unrestored 19th Century Haeju-ban have sold at Christie's auctions for $3,000 (see for example the November 25, 1997 Christie's catalog of Korean art). Very Good Condition. 16.75 x 12.5 ... Click for details

Early 20th Century Korean Money Box

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Korean: Furniture Pre 1910: item #648457
0110

An interesting early 20th Century Korean Money Box with a compartment for coins under the upper box where paper money was kept. This must have been one of the earliest boxes constructed for paper money. Paper money has been used sporadically through much of Korea's history, but didn't come into regular use until the beginning of the 20th Century. Good Condition. Pine Wood. 16 x 9.5 x 7 inches, 40.5 x 24 x 17.5 cm.

19th Century Korean Scholar's Inkstone Box

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Korean: Furniture Pre 1900: item #648454
0109

An inkstone box was one of the most highly valued possessions of a Korean scholar. This one is a nice 19th Century example, constructed of a finely grained pine. Very Good Condition. 11 x 6.75 x 3 inches, 28 x 17 x 7.5 cm.

Paulownia Wood Korean Inkstone Box with Drawer

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Korean: Furniture Pre 1900: item #648451
0108

An inkstone box was one of the most highly valued possessions of a Korean scholar. This one is a fine 19th Century example, constructed of paulownia and with a 'secret' compartment between the drawer and upper box. Excellent Condition. 13.75 x 8.5 x 7 inches, 33.5 x 21 x 17.5 cm.

Rare 19th Century Korean Scholar's Inkstone Box

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Korean: Furniture Pre 1900: item #648441
0107

An inkstone box was one of the most highly valued possessions of a Korean scholar. This one is a rare example made entirely of pear wood. Good Condition. 13.25 x 10 x 9 inches, 33.5 x 25 x 23 cm.

Extraordinary, Rich Grain on this Rare Korean Chest

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Korean: Furniture Pre 1920: item #648424
0103

This Rare Early 20th Century Korean Clothing Chest is constructed of Korean Pine single-plank panels of a very fine curly grain and rich, golden hue. It really is an extraordinary piece for the purist lover of wood with the highest standards. The remarkable wood required that the wise artisan use minimal, tasteful metalwork. That expectation is artfully met with beautiful iron openwork. The lock plate is a gorgeously stylized pullocho plant (an ancient Korean symbol of longevity) that manages to... Click for details

Very Fine Metalwork on this Korean Chest from Kangwon

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Korean: Furniture Pre 1900: item #648415
0102

This Bandaji (Korean Front Opening Chest) has some of the most spectacular ironwork we have ever seen. There are a great variety of finely rendered auspicious motifs, including: hinges that are gorgeous stylizations of pullocho (the magical longevity plant); a gourd shaped center hinge (symbolizing good health); lotus (symbol of birth and creation); chrysanthemums (for a productive, fruitful life); swallowtails (beauty); bats (an ancient symbol of good luck); and clouds (In the past, people beli... Click for details