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 […]
Nong- 이층농 in Korean is used to define a stackable clothing chest. The name has been used since the Goryeo Dynasty. Nong originally did not have legs, but later on, a leg part, called madae (馬臺), was attached to it. In the beginning, Korean furniture tended to be small, light, and plain, with minimal decoration […]
By Honorary Reporter George Barker from United Kingdom. Photo by: Yves Pintaud. Yves Pintaud’s passion for Korean antique furniture began in Seoul in the mid-1980s, that was when he first arrived in Korea, and eventually decided to leave France and settle there in 1986. What started as a new chapter in his life gradually turned into a new discovery. […]
If we examine the Goguryeo tomb murals depicting daily life, we can see that the Goguryeo royal family and nobles lived a seated lifestyle. There are two theories about the main figure of An-ak Tomb No. 3, built in the mid-4th century. Some believe he was Dongsu, a Chinese exile, while others argue he was […]
Earlier examples are rare due to the ravages of war, natural disasters, and Korea’s historical use of natural materials that degrade over time. Some older examples from the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392) or earlier periods might be found but are exceedingly rare. Retention of Earlier Pieces in Korea: Older and more valuable pieces of furniture—such as […]
If you wish to know more about your items, and want us to examine your pictures and give you more detailed information about your item origin, or if your item is real antique or not, Do not hesitate to contact us by email at: tortuebangkok@gmail.com. Send us photos to assist in identifying your pieces. Precise […]
LINK: National Museum of Korea.