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) Following […]
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 […]
The majority of books and studies on antique Korean furniture have been published in the Korean language, with only a few available in English. ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND EXTERNAL LINKS. Society of Joseon. Korean wooden crafts. https://www.nfm.go.kr/_Upload/BALGANBOOK/391/04.pdf Joseon Home and the Wooden Furniture. Written by Hwang Ji-hyun, Curator of the Fine Arts Department
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 […]
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, […]
Gyeongsang Do 경상도, also known as Kyongsang-do, was one of the eight provinces of Korea during the Joseon dynasty. This province is located in the southeastern part of the peninsula, with its provincial capital now known as Daegu. The region holds historical significance as the birthplace of the Kingdom of Silla (57 BCE – 935 CE). Gyeongsang-do […]