This bibliography brings together books, museum catalogues, academic studies and online resources relating to traditional Korean furniture. Particular attention is given to furniture types, regional characteristics, materials, construction, metalwork, lacquer techniques and museum collections. The majority of books and studies on antique Korean furniture have been published in the Korean language, with only a few […]
The “Morijang“, 머릿장 in Korean, is a unique piece of furniture found in the Korean furniture collection. It likely emerged during the 18th or early 19th century and is commonly referred to as the headside chest in English. Determining the age of furniture can be a complex process, often hindered by a lack of information […]
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 […]
Hanji (Korean: 한지/韓紙) is the traditional handmade paper from Korea. It is made from the inner bark of the mulberry tree or Hibiscus Namihot (also known by its current scientific name, Abelmoschus manihot) both native to Korea, which helps suspend the individual fibers in water. Despite being paper, Hanji is extremely tough, waterproof, and versatile. Because […]
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 […]
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. […]
This report documents Korean antique furniture offered at international auctions throughout 2025, providing an overview of estimates, sale results and market trends in Europe, North America and Asia.
CHRISTIE’S SOTHEBY’S
Since the inception of this blog, we have consistently monitored auctions featuring Korean furniture. Geographically, the majority of these sales take place in the USA, Europe, and Korea. Concurrently, we also review the inventories of dealers specializing in Asian furniture. As dealers, we established a gallery in Bangkok, Thailand specializing in Asian furniture, with a […]