Traditional Korean painting depicting seated Joseon scholars wearing official hats and robes, gathered around a low table.

THE INFLUENCE OF NEO CONFUCIANISM ON KOREAN ART AND FURNITURE.

What is Confucianism? The primary decorative and finishing characteristics of Korean furniture as we know it today are closely linked to Neo-Confucianism, the dominant philosophy of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897). Originating from the teachings of Confucius and later developed by Chinese scholars, Neo-Confucianism emphasized moral integrity, respect for family and social hierarchy, education, self-discipline, and […]

Open historical East Asian book with traditional Chinese characters printed in vertical columns on aged paper.

BIBLIOGRAPHY & RESEARCH RESOURCES.

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 USE OF PAPER ON KOREAN FURNITURE.

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 […]

HWAGAK.

Featured image on top of this post: Box with design of auspicious symbols, early 20th century.Ink and paint on ox horn panels on wood, ray skin, and metal.DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ART MUSEUM, USA The term “hwagak” is derived from the words for flowers and horns, and it specifically pertains to the craft of inlaying ox […]

KOREA AT THE END OF THE 19TH CENTURY. Testimonies of the first foreign visitors.

Featured photo: The historic 24-hour “Namdaemun” market is located next to this 14th century gate, one of eight surrounding Seoul. At the end of the 19th century, Korea began to open up to the outside world after centuries of isolation. One of the earliest groups of foreigners to visit Korea during this period were diplomats, […]

Traditional Korean red lacquer chest decorated with colorful painted motifs, a central metal lock plate and matching decorative objects displayed on a red background.

AUCTIONS IN KOREA – 2025

K AUCTION. 23 Eonju-ro 172-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. SEOUL AUCTION. Jong-Ro No. 01-2173 11, Pyeongchang 31-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea Email : info@seoulauction.com KAN-OGSYEON AUCTION. Jongno-gu, Insadong 4-gil, Seoul, Korea. MYART AUCTION Co., Ltd. 5th, 6th, B1 floor, Chunghoon Building, 62-5 Insa-dong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Korean auction exhibition gallery displaying two wooden cabinets, framed paintings, and traditional calligraphy screens.

AUCTIONS IN KOREA (2023 – 2024).

There are numerous auction houses in Korea; however, it’s challenging to monitor them online. Consequently, we only focus on tracking the primary auction houses located in Seoul. I AUCTION. Haksan building, 50 Samil Daero 30-gil, Jongno Gu. Seoul. LINK: I AUCTION K AUCTION. 23 Eonju-ro 172-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. NOVEMBER 2022 DECEMBER 2022 JANUARY […]

Detail of Korean black lacquerware decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay forming floral patterns, scrolling vines, and circular motifs.

KOREAN MOTHER-OF-PEARL INLAY LACQUER WARE.

Mother-of-pearl, also known as nacre, is an inorganic composite material produced by certain mollusks as an inner shell layer, and accumulated in other shells, such as freshwater pearl mussels, in the form of pearls. It is very strong, resilient, and iridescent. It can be found in strains of mollusks in the class of “Bivalvia“, such as […]

Exhibition gallery at the National Folk Museum of Korea displaying traditional Korean objects in glass cases and on colorful display platforms.

KOREAN FURNITURE EXHIBITIONS.

TRADITION & INSIGHT EXHIBITION. JJ ART. 16 Insa-dong 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Baekak Museum of Art, 1st floor. May 23, to June 23, 2017. WOOD, INTEGRITY, DEPTH & BEAUTY. Gyeonggi Girls’ High School Kyungwoon Museum. April 25, 2019 – September 21, 2019. This exhibition showcased approximately 70 pieces of wooden furniture that harmonize deep symmetry and […]