AUCTIONS IN KOREA.

There are numerous auction houses in Korea; however, it’s challenging to monitor them online. Consequently, we only focus on tracking the primary auction houses located in Seoul. K AUCTION. 23 Eonju-ro 172-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. SEOUL AUCTION. Jong-Ro No. 01-2173 11, Pyeongchang 31-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea Email : info@seoulauction.com

KOREAN MOTHER-OF-PEARL INLAY LACQUER WARE.

Mother-of-pearl, also known as nacre, is an inorganic composite material produced by certain mollusks as an inner shell layer, and accumulated in other shells, such as freshwater pearl mussels, in the form of pearls. It is very strong, resilient, and iridescent. It can be found in strains of mollusks in the class of “Bivalvia“, such as […]

KOREAN FURNITURE EXHIBITIONS.

NATIONAL FOLK MUSEUM OF KOREA. Najeon, Glimmer & Shine. May 19, 2023 ~ August 27, 2023. Najeon is a decorative technique that involves using mother-of-pearl from the shells of abalones, conchs, and similar materials to create intricate patterns on lacquerware. Known for its mysterious and sparkling colors, Najeon has been cherished and admired for its […]

KOREAN MEDICINE CHEST, YAK JANG 약장

Apothecaries, also known as medicine chests, featuring numerous pullout drawers, were utilized during the Middle Ages in both Europe and the Far East by predecessors of our modern pharmacists. The exact origins of medicine usage in Korea remain unknown; nevertheless, since ancient times, there was a necessity to classify and store the materials required for […]

PYONGYANG BANDAJI-평양 반닫이

This type of furniture is commonly found in Pyongyang, the current capital city of North Korea. Pyongyang has been a center of economic and cultural influence since the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392). The climate in the area is characterized by very cold winters and hot, dry summers. They are quite easy to recognize due to their […]

THE KITCHEN CHEST. 찬장

THE KOREAN KITCHEN. To better understand the main features of Korean kitchen furniture, it is necessary to examine the design of the Korean kitchen during the Joseon dynasty. “The kitchen “Puok” was usually connected to the women’s inner room by a storage area called “Tarak-bang”. Found at a lower level than the women’s inner room, […]

CASE STUDY: THE KOREAN SMALL LACQUERED TABLE

Korean lacquer inlaid furniture, adorned with mother of pearl, tortoise shell, and shagreen, exemplifies a captivating fusion of traditional craftsmanship and artistic excellence. This style of furniture is deeply ingrained in Korean culture and boasts a rich historical legacy. An article on Korean lacquer has been published on this same site: The Art of Korean […]

METALWORK PATTERNS ON KOREAN FURNITURE. PART 1

CHANGSOK. “Changsok” refers to the metal decoration used on Korean furniture. These metal fixtures served both utilitarian and decorative purposes, being crafted from materials like cast iron, copper, tin, nickel, and white brass. The white brass alloy, which includes tin and sometimes nickel in addition to the conventional copper and zinc found in yellow brass, […]

JANG – 장

Feature image: Jang – Two level chest. Zelkova wood, lacquer, brass fittings. H. 134cm, W. 103cm, D. 47cm. Early 19th century. Collection Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis, Minnesota. USA. The “Jang” was a type of furniture traditionally used for storing clothes in Korean households. However, due to cost considerations, most modest households opted for the “Bandaji“. […]

PERSIMMON WOOD – 감나무

Persimmon wood called 감나무 “Kam Namu” in Korean belong to the family “Diospyros kaki”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diospyros_kaki Originating in Eastern Asia, as evidenced by its presence in Chinese culture as early as several centuries B.C., the persimmon made its way to Japan in the seventh century and to Korea in the fourteenth century. While persimmon trees belong […]