What is Confucianism? Confucianism is a philosophical and ethical system based on the teachings of Confucius, a Chinese philosopher who lived around 500 BCE. It emphasizes moral values, social harmony, and the importance of personal and governmental morality. Central concepts include filial piety (respect for one’s parents and ancestors), righteousness, loyalty, and the cultivation of […]
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) The […]
Featured photo: The historic 24-hour “Namdaemun” market is located next to this 14th century gate, one of eight surrounding Seoul. At the end of the 19th century, Korea began to open up to the outside world after centuries of isolation. One of the earliest groups of foreigners to visit Korea during this period were diplomats, […]
PIECES AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET SINCE THE LATE 19th CENTURY. The taste of Westerners. The attraction of Westerners to ancient Korean furniture began at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century during the first visits of foreign envoys to a country that had been isolated and completely closed to […]
PATTERNS SYMBOLISM IN KOREAN ART. In a previous publication METALWORK PATTERNS ON KOREAN FURNITURE, we listed the various decorative motifs on the hinges of Korean furniture. Below, we examine their meanings. Korean furniture, such as bandaji (storage chests), jang (wardrobes), mungap (stationery chests), and ham (boxes or cases), is often decorated with symbolic patterns that […]
Analyzing the evolution of Korean furniture shapes during the Joseon dynasty is no easy task, given the lack of documentation and pieces available today.However, the study of a large number of photos from various Korean museums allows us to make the following observations:In Asia, in general, and unlike European furniture, emperors did not impose new […]
When you buy antique Korean furniture, it’s rare for it to come with a padlock. In fact, padlocks have either disappeared, or if they were of good quality, they were sold separately to enthusiasts. In the book “Korean Style,” which focuses on the interiors of Korean homes, a fine collection of padlocks is presented From […]
AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE JOSEON DYNASTY. Joseon 조선 in Korean, 朝鮮 in Hanja, or Chosŏn, officially Great Joseon State (대조선국; 大朝鮮國, was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and replaced by the Korean Empire in October 1897, but the period of Japanese rule is sometimes included in the broader understanding of the dynasty’s […]
In this chapter, we study furniture in depth in order to better estimate their precise origin and carry out accurate dating. “SUNG SUN I” BANDAJI. This piece of furniture, bought in China in the mid-90s, probably came from North Korea. In the late ’80s, many pieces circulated between North Korea and China via the northern […]
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 […]