Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Korean (3)

Korean inlaid Bird decorated Dish, 5 1/2" diameter, 3/4" high, leaf shape border filled in with white, in good condition.

Pair Korean Scholar's Book Chests, four(4) claws Korean Dragon and Phoenix Bird are battling in the flame, inlaid with Mother of Pearl, twisted Brass and faux tortoise shell, 41" high, 27" wide, 12 1/2" deep each in the background of dark brown lacquer with gold powder sparkling finish. Inlaid design of the wings of Phoenix Bird and Dragon are spread out into both sides, and the back is plain dark brown lacquer finish. Whole Book Chest supported by scrolling feet, shows continuous inlaid work. Butterfly Brass back plates are symbol of Korean Buddhist sign or letters for "Temple" or "Buddhism" in Korea. Two(2) Yin and Yang red and white locks are securely lock the two(2) doors include the keys to open. Top open space for the books and documents above two(2) drawers with Brass Handles, and two(2) blind doors inlaid with large size of Dragon and Phoenix Bird in flame, and pasted typical Korean Buddhist color Red and Blue paper lining inside the open storage space. There are cut out Buddhist and Temple Characters on Both side above the spreading Dragon and Phoenix Bird wings. The carved Character of Temple or Buddhist means simply "Manja" in Korean for "Letter Man" over 5000 years old history, display in all the temples and Buddhist institutions in Korea, very different than German Nazi Swastika copies, exactly opposite shape of letter than Korean Temple sign "Manja". These Pair of Korean Book chests have been in Washington DC Diplomatic house for over 58 years in one same house until today since purchased during 1960 in Seoul, Korea. The condition is in very good condition.

Korean hanging Brown Lacquered Wooden Sword Rack, or Sword Display Shelf, vintage 1960, 26" wide, 22" high, 4 1/2" deep-bottom rack, three(3) Brass inlaid flying geese decoration on the top panel and 3 rows of the curved holders on both sides to hold each sword. One lower holder is glued together, please see photographs.