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 identification from photos is a delicate operation. Therefore, try to send us 3 or 4 photos showing the front, sides, and the open piece of furniture as seen on the featured image of this publication.
GENUINE OR NOT GENUINE. THIS IS THE QUESTION.
In this world full of surprises and uncertainty that is the antique market, many of us often ask the same question about a piece we contemplate or wish to acquire. Is it an original, ancient piece, or a mere copy?
The answer to this question is difficult for a novice to answer, and even for an expert, despite better knowledge, errors are not uncommon. I am often approached to identify a piece, focusing mainly on Asian and specifically Korean furniture. I decline requests regarding other items such as paintings, porcelain, textiles, although I have some knowledge in these areas, it is not sufficient in my opinion.
Since the advent of the internet, many believe they can answer this complex question simply by searching on search engines or querying artificial intelligence.
However, this process cannot be carried out solely by comparing simple photographs. A deeper knowledge is necessary—such as the history of the country, the types of wood available, assembly methods, and finishing techniques, to mention only the most important aspects. It is a long and painstaking endeavor that requires many years, not only through the study of written documents but also through the in-situ examination of a large number of pieces of furniture.
Hi all, what do you think about this chest? Also, I wonder whether the supports underneath were originally part of it? H: 47cm, W: 70, D: 32,5cm. Thanks for your insights! Hendrik Gheerardyn.
This chest is called a ‘Beoseonjang’ and was used to store small clothing such as socks. It’s made from red pine wood with original iron cast fittings. The leg design was common for this type of piece. The chest appears to have been cleaned but still retains a nice patina. It’s probably dated from the early to mid-20th century. Hereunder two photos of a similar chest in Korea.
CASES OF RECONSTRUCTED FURNITURE
I knew nothing about it but it absolutely intrigued me and I had to have it. I thought it would complement my Chinese money chest that is also elm. After researching, I realized it is Korean and not Chinese. I’ve been down a rabbit hole to find out more about it, but if anyone can give me more insight on this particular bandaji, I would be greatly appreciative. Stephen Butcher.
Description to be published soon
I just acquired what I believe to be an antique Jeolla bandaji. I was so intrigued by the woods, the Korean newspaper lining and silk on front door panel inside. Can anyone help with type of chest, possible age, region and wood? The hardware is remarkable. Sheila Marie Rivera.
Due to the design of the hinges and its rather large size, this Bandaji is typical of the Jeolla Do province, particularly the Yeonggwang area. However, certain details reveal that it has undergone extensive restoration. Additional photos provided by Sheila Marie Rivera allow us to better identify it. Constructed in pine (sides, back and top), the front has been completely modified by the creation of maple panels inserted in elm frames with dark persimmon wood inlays, which is unusual for this particular type of furniture. The hinges, though attractive, are of recent manufacture, and the blackened shadows around them reveal restoration work in an attempt to reproduce a classic patina. The type of base on which it rests was never used on Bandaji, but rather on “Jangs” or multi-levels clothing chests.
Photos above & right. Back and top of the furniture: Pine wood.
Photos above and right. New iron fittings. The blackened shadows around them reveal restoration work in an attempt to reproduce a classic patina
The paper covering the interior is from old newspapers with Japanese characters, which may indicate a production date during the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945).
We believe that this piece of antique furniture has been extensively restored and altered, and unfortunately cannot be considered an original.
TWO-LEVEL CHEST.
Bought this in a on-line auction for 350 €. Hit or miss? Any age? Bought it as a vintage Korean chest. Henry Forsström
This chest is called “Ich’ung Jang” in Korea – 이층장. “Ich’ung” means two levels, and “Jang” is the Korean name for a cabinet. It was mainly used to store clothing in a women’s quarter. Made of pine and probably elm front panels with square-shaped white brass fittings. Drawer pullers with bat design. It has been widely restored and, as mentioned, would be classified as a vintage piece (from the mid to late 20th century). Two details struck us: the presence of a second row of drawers in the middle part. The original two-level chest only featured one row of drawers on the top of the cabinet, and two different drawer pulls designs were used. Usually, the same type of fittings was used on one chest.
Photo under an older similar piece from the Andong city Folk museum on Gyeongsang Do province in Korea. Probably early 20th century.
I found a top part to a chest today. It needs some metal repairs which I will attend to but is this chest Korean or Japanese? The iron metal work is very interesting? Can you determine the age? Susan from Memphis.
This small chest is called a “Beoseonjang” (애기 버선장) in Korean and was mainly used to store small pieces of clothing such as socks. The front opening panel is of the Bandaji type, with its opening downward, but it doesn’t extend all the way. The fittings, though some are missing, seem to be original (Hwanghae province style). The type of wood (linden?) is difficult to identify with certainty, as this box seems to have been stained and badly restored, evident from its glossy finish. It likely dates from the early 20th century.
I just finished reading your online article about authentic antique Korean furniture, and I found it very informative! I’m currently in the process of potentially purchasing some furniture, but I’m unsure if it’s truly authentic.
Could you please share your opinion on whether this piece is real or fake? I would truly appreciate your insight.
Thank you so much for your time and help! Zachary Terrel.
The design of your three-tiered furniture is consistent with an original piece. This type of furniture, called “Samch’ung Jang” in Korean, was used for clothing storage. Its decoration (wood carving and lacquer) suggests that it was probably a piece placed in the women’s quarters. It is a later piece, most likely from the mid-20th century. Indeed, during the Joseon Dynasty (1392 to 1910), red lacquer, being an expensive pigment, was primarily reserved for items in the royal palace, and sumptuary laws limited its use. However, by the 1890s, those rules lapsed, allowing customers of non-royal descent to order decorated red lacquerware. Also, the composition of the red lacquer (slightly orange) and its thinness do not seem consistent with those of ancient pieces.
I recently inherited this Bandaji chest. Does it look authentic? It’s approximately 12″ deep 24″ wide 24″ tall. Thomas Ambrosio.
Bandaji with yellow brass. Gyeonggi province style.
Antique Furniture Identification: A Few Tips to Help with Better Identification.
- Wood Type and Grain: Examine the wood closely as the grain pattern and the type of wood can provide clues to its age and origin.
- Construction Techniques: Pay attention to how the piece is constructed. Early furniture often used handcrafted joints like dovetails or mortise and tenon joints, which can indicate age and craftsmanship.
- Hardware and Fittings: Check the hardware, such as screws, hinges, and handles.
- Patina and Wear: Authentic antique furniture often shows signs of age, like patina, wear marks, and even repairs.
Information is attached to the photos.
Veneer is a thin layer of real wood, usually around 1/32 to 1/16 inch thick, that is applied over a substrate (often plywood or MDF) to give the appearance of solid wood. It’s typically used to cover less expensive materials or to achieve a consistent appearance.
If you closely examine the lighter marks on the top part of the furniture, you’ll notice the absence of any wood grain. This indicates that the chest is covered with a thin veneer, in this case, elm wood, glued onto pressed wood or plywood.
Look closely at the edges of this side panel (yellow arrows). The wood grain extends all the way to the extremities, with no visible sign of panel assembly (top, sides, and front). A common feature of bandaji is the visible joint lines, as shown in the next two photos.
Dovetails joint on the top side of a bandaji.
Iron is highly reactive with moisture and tannins and its oxidation leaves dark marks on the surrounding wood. Brass (a copper-zinc alloy) is far more corrosion-resistant. Over time, it forms a greenish or dark brown patina, but it doesn’t usually cause severe staining of the surrounding wood. In our case, the very uniform dark surfaces (especially visible on the right side of the fish) do not correspond to oxidation from the fittings. Rather, it is a coloration applied during the finishing process of the furniture to simulate a patina.
For reasons mentioned in the photo comments, this furniture piece is not original but rather corresponds to a reproduction likely made in the latter part of the 20th century.