Except for lacquered furniture, which was mostly reserved for the royal household and court members, very few pieces were painted in Korea during the Joseon dynasty. The taste of the period favored Neo-Confucian aesthetics that emphasized natural wood and restraint. In fact, sources and references on this subject are scarce. However some Korean antique furniture […]
The Gyeongsang Province in the south of the Korean peninsula was a particularly important center for the production of high-end furniture. Numerous museums attest to this through the quality of their collections. Notably, the Namgaram Museum which holds significant and unique pieces. NAMGARAM MUSEUM. Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. A varied and very interesting collection. High-quality furniture, with […]
The post-Joseon era in Korea began in 1897 and encompasses the period following the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897), including the Korean Empire, Japanese colonial rule, and the division into North and South Korea. It is marked by a period of rapid modernization, intense external pressures, and national upheaval. Key periods following the Joseon dynasty The Korean Empire (1897–1910) Following […]
EWHA WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY. SEOUL. Korean Furniture Collection. More than 500 pieces are featured in the collection of the Ewha Woman’s University Museum in Seoul, Korea. Woman’s University Museum in Seoul, Korea. The museum was open on April 6, 1935, as part of the university’s efforts to preserve Korea’s rich cultural heritage. SOOKMYUNG WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY, SEOUL. LINKS: Korean […]
Hanji (Korean: 한지/韓紙) is the traditional handmade paper from Korea. It is made from the inner bark of the mulberry tree or Hibiscus Namihot (also known by its current scientific name, Abelmoschus manihot) both native to Korea, which helps suspend the individual fibers in water. Despite being paper, Hanji is extremely tough, waterproof, and versatile. Because […]
Jeonju-jang refers to wooden furniture made in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, during the Joseon Dynasty and used by the middle-upper classes. It is valued as local cultural heritage for its distinctive shapes, metal ornaments, and multifunctional design tailored to users’ needs. Jeonju was a key residential center where landowners and yangban officials from the Honam […]
Featured image on top of this post: Box with design of auspicious symbols, early 20th century.Ink and paint on ox horn panels on wood, ray skin, and metal.DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ART MUSEUM, USA The term “hwagak” is derived from the words for flowers and horns, and it specifically pertains to the craft of inlaying ox […]
Hwanghae Do province was located in the northwest of Korea. The provincial capital was Haeju. The regional name for the province was Haeseo. In 1395, the province was organized as Punghae (풍해도; 豐海道; Punghae-do). In 1417, it was renamed Hwanghae. The name derived from the names of the two principal cities of Hwangju (황주; 黃州) and Haeju (해주; 海州). In 1945, Korea was divided into Soviet and American zones […]
Korean wedding boxes, known as “Ham” or “Hon-su ham“, are typically characterized by their low and wide dimensions. The average measurements for these boxes are approximately 30cm in height, 60cm in width, and 30cm in depth. The top part of these boxes features a hinged lid at the back, which can be lifted open. The […]
Korean furniture showcases high standards of craftsmanship and a deep respect for the materials used. For the people of the “Morning Calm” country, wood was not intended to be molded or carved into elaborate designs or concealed beneath thick layers of paint that would obscure its inherent beauty. Instead, it was carefully cut to accentuate […]