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 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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
We feel it’s necessary to set the record straight regarding the Korean staircase. Indeed, numerous posts in our group, as well as the frequent presentation of this type of furniture with their erroneous descriptions in auctions or galleries, have led us to resolve this matter once and for all. Here are just a few examples […]
OLD PHOTOS, PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS OF KOREAN FURNITURE. The study of the origins of traditional Korean furniture is complex due to the lack of proper documentation. Prior to the 19th century, paintings provide some information about the lifestyle of Koreans during the Joseon Dynasty. From the middle of the 19th century, photographs taken by explorers […]
In this publication, we delve into the technique of wood finishing for Korean furniture during the Joseon Dynasty. To the best of our knowledge, there is a scarcity of studies in English on this subject, necessitating our reliance on publications in Korean. Our hypotheses are formulated based on a thorough examination of numerous pieces, the […]
Inlaying, a method known as “ipsa” in Korean, involves cutting lines or grooves into metals like copper and iron, and then filling them with other metals such as gold, silver, and copper to create intricate patterns. Creating these grooves is a challenging task that demands hours of meticulous chiseling. In the art of ipsa, every […]
소목 (Somok), traditional joinery. During the Joseon Period, a wide range of joining techniques was employed. While Korea’s climate, characterized by four distinct seasons, facilitated the availability of exquisite woods, it also led to significant wood movement, resulting in warping and cracking of wood panels. A piece of furniture typically comprised three main components: the top, body, […]
Lacquer, known as “ottchil” (옻칠) in Korean, is a natural paint that has been utilized in Asia since ancient times. Its properties, such as water and insect repellency, enhance the durability of objects while imbuing them with a beautiful luster. The application of lacquer is a time and labor-intensive process. Initially, it takes several months […]