This type of furniture is commonly found in Pyongyang, the current capital city of North Korea. Pyongyang has been a center of economic and cultural influence since the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392). The climate in the area is characterized by very cold winters and hot, dry summers. They are quite easy to recognize due to their […]
Feature image: Jang – Two level chest. Zelkova wood, lacquer, brass fittings. H. 134cm, W. 103cm, D. 47cm. Early 19th century. Collection Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis, Minnesota. USA. The “Jang” was a type of furniture traditionally used for storing clothes in Korean households. However, due to cost considerations, most modest households opted for the “Bandaji“. […]
Persimmon wood called 감나무 “Kam Namu” in Korean belong to the family “Diospyros kaki”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diospyros_kaki Originating in Eastern Asia, as evidenced by its presence in Chinese culture as early as several centuries B.C., the persimmon made its way to Japan in the seventh century and to Korea in the fourteenth century. While persimmon trees belong […]
OLD PHOTOS, PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS OF KOREAN FURNITURE. The study of the origins of traditional Korean furniture is complex due to the lack of proper documentation. Prior to the 19th century, paintings provide some information about the lifestyle of Koreans during the Joseon Dynasty. From the middle of the 19th century, photographs taken by explorers […]
Inlaying, a method known as “IPSA” in Korean, involves cutting lines or grooves into metals like copper and iron, and then filling them with other metals such as gold, silver, and copper to create intricate patterns. Creating these grooves is a challenging task that demands hours of meticulous chiseling. In the art of ipsa, every […]
For more information about Soban you can read our article: The soban HOJOKBAN. GUJOKBAN. A table used for dining, where food is placed, is called a “soban“. In traditional houses of the Joseon Dynasty, the kitchen and dining room were typically separate, and heavy brass or porcelain dishes were used for tableware. Consequently, sobans were […]
COLLECTION “ANTIKASIA” The “Antikasia” Collection includes Korean antique furniture acquired over several decades. This section documents both pieces still held in the collection and examples that have since been sold or transferred to other collections. The acquisition of our first piece of Korean furniture dates back to the mid-80s when we lived in Seoul. From […]
FEATURED IMAGE: Sutra Box with chrysanthemum design in mother of pearl inlay. Lacquered wood. Goryeo dynasty, 13th century. H. 26cm, W. 37,8cm, D. 19,2cm. Collection of the Tokyo National Museum. THE JAPAN FOLK CRAFTS MUSEUM THE TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM. Photos above: This shell-inlayed (raden) box is for storing sutra scrolls and was formerly owned by […]
Lacquer, known as “ottchil” (옻칠) in Korean, is a natural paint that has been utilized in Asia since ancient times. Its properties, such as water and insect repellency, enhance the durability of objects while imbuing them with a beautiful luster. The application of lacquer is a time and labor-intensive process. Initially, it takes several months […]
This brief history of traditional Korean furniture aims to address common questions about its origins and the limited availability of antique pieces in the market. Feature photo at the top of this post: A painting by Shin Yun-bok, who was born around 1758 and passed away after 1813. He was a Korean painter known by […]