WHEN DRAGON MEETS PHOENIX – Symbolism in Korean Antique Furniture.

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. […]

Close-up of a traditional Korean cabinet covered with textured shagreen, featuring a butterfly-shaped metal fitting, circular central plate and decorative corner mounts.

SHAGREEN (GALUCHAT) – A Decorative Material in Korean Antique Furniture.

Shagreen and Galuchat are terms for a highly durable, textured leather made from the hides of sharks or stingrays. Shagreen has been prized since the time of the pharaohs in Egypt and during the Chinese Han Dynasty (202 BC – AD 220). In China, it was used in the construction of bows. In Japan, shagreen has been well-documented […]