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Fine Korean Coin Chest with Very Old Calligraphy Inside browse these categories for related items... Directory: Antiques:Regional Art:Asian:Korean:Furniture:Pre 1900: item # 585501 Please refer to our stock # 0052 when inquiring.
Korean Art and Antiques 40 West 25th Street New York, NY 10010 917-675-1369 Guest Book SOLD |
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| This all original and unrestored Ton-kwe (Korean Coin Chest) is a fine 19th Century example of a type of chest that is becoming increasingly rare on the antiques market. This is one of the last of a very few that are not locked up in museums or private collections. Coin chests are highly prized by collectors, as their purpose required that they be the heaviest and most well constructed piece of furniture in the home of an aristocrat. Paper money did not exist in Yi Dynasty Korea, and the coins were of very small denominations. They had to be strung together in large quantities to have any worth, so a strong money box was obviously a necessity. This is a very heavy and impressive authentic antique Korean coin chest. We'd like to share with you a funny quote on Korean money by Mattie Ingold, an American missionary physician working in Chonju in 1898: "If Korean money were proportionately as great in value as it is in weight and clumsiness, the Koreans would be a very wealthy people." 14.5 x 40 x 18 inches, 37 x 102 x 46 cm. Excellent Condition. | ||
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