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 […]
Hwanghae Do province was located in the northwest of Korea. The provincial capital was Haeju. The regional name for the province was Haeseo. In 1395, the province was organized as Punghae (풍해도; 豐海道; Punghae-do). In 1417, it was renamed Hwanghae. The name derived from the names of the two principal cities of Hwangju (황주; 黃州) and Haeju (해주; 海州). In 1945, Korea was divided into Soviet and American zones […]
CHRISTIE’S SOTHEBY’S
Hamgyŏng Do province was bounded on the west by P’yŏngan Do province, on the south by Hwanghae Do and Gangwŏn Do provinces, on the east by the Sea of Japan, and on the north by China and the Russian Empire. It was one of the eight provinces of Korea during the Joseon dynasty and the provincial capital was Hamhung. Hamgyŏng-Do is the […]
This small piece of furniture is rarely described in publications, both in Korea and abroad. It is quite special, and we thought it would be interesting to present it. Hardly ever found in specialized galleries or at auctions, our observations are based on photographic documents from private collections or museums in Korea. Often finely executed, […]
JOSEON – 조선 : Last Korean dynasty ( 1392 to 1910 ). Also referred as Yi or Choson Dynasty. THE KOREAN HOUSE HANOK – 한옥 : Korean traditional house. Hanok were first designed and built in the 14th century during the Joseon dynasty. ANCHAE – 안채 : is a section of a Korean traditional house that is reserved […]
Featured photo: The portrait of Yi Chae depicts the renowned scholar of the late Joseon period, clad in a pointed dongpagwan hat and a scholar’s robe, or “simui” (a white hemp robe with black trim). In this half-body portrayal, Yi Chae gazes directly from the canvas while maintaining impeccable posture. It is part of the […]
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 […]
FEATURED IMAGE: Wedding Palanquin. Collection National Folk Museum of Korea, Seoul. A palanquin is a covered litter, typically designed for a single passenger, and it is carried by an even number of bearers, usually two. The term is derived from the Sanskrit word “palyanka“, which means bed or couch. Palanquins come in various sizes and […]
These two emblems were borrowed from Chinese mythology and are occasionally found in Korean art. Korean furniture is often adorned with auspicious motifs, frequently found on hinges or inlays made from materials such as mother of pearl, tortoiseshell, or shagreen. This design is less commonly carved into wood, as is the case with Chinese furniture. […]