Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (177)

Rare, Museum Quality 19th Century Medicine Chest (Yakjang) with Paulownia Doors. This is the finest work of Korean antique furniture we have ever offered, and likely the only example of this type anywhere outside of Korea. Antique medicine chests with doors are extremely rare even in Korea, and this is probably the best known condition among the very few left. Each drawer has the name of the medicine inscribed on it. Perfectly proportioned at 100 x 75 x 33 cm, 39.5 x 29.5 x 13 inches.

The last rare Joseon Dynasty Munjado-Chaekgeori combination screen offered for sale was a decade ago at auction. It will likely be at least that long until you see another, if you ever see one for sale again at all. Even most museums have been unable to find one to acquire. The Cleveland Museum has a fine example. This rare combination of Munjado and Chaekgeori was painted only in the Gangwon Province. Munjado screens have eight pictorial ideographs depicting the Eight Confucian Virtues: Hyo (Filial Piety), Je (Fraternity), Chung (Loyalty), Shin (Trust), Ye (Propriety), Ui (Justice), Yeom (Integrity), and Chi (Conscience). Unique to Korean munjado screens are paintings of various creatures that since ancient times have symbolized the virtue they accompany here. Confucian values were regarded as the cornerstones of Korean society and Munjado screen paintings representing them were used as daily reminders to observe the Eight Virtues. Chaekgeori screens feature scholarly accoutrements such as books and writing tables, brush pots and scrolls, fans, along with items that would adorn the scholar's study such as potted flowers and plants, and fruit in bowls. Within the Confucian society of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), scholars were highly respected and Chaekgeori screens were typically displayed behind the desk in a study to convey an air of dignity, luxury, and a reverence for scholarship. These screens were also intended to instill these values in the children of the household. Ink and colors on paper. Total dimensions: 65 x 140 inches, 165 x 356 cm. Each painting: 65 x 17.5 inches, 165 x 44.5 cm.

Fine, Rare Joseon Dynasty Silver Inlaid Box with ancient Longevity Symbols of Deer, Cranes, key fret pattern, floral and tortoise shell pattern. Double Happiness symbol on the lid. Beautiful Condition. 5.25 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches, 13.5 x 9 x9 cm.

Very Fine and Rare Silver Inlaid Iron Brazier (a source of heating and light), hexagonal shape, beautifully rendered and in excellent condition. Each protuberant side is decorated with a keyfret-bordered roundel enclosing six different works of art: a crane and sea turtle in beautifully stylized clouds and waves beneath a silvery moon (symbols of longevity); one of the Eight Buddhist Emblems of an oversized conch shell; a leafy floral design symbolizing abundance; a leafy branch of pomegranates whose many seeds symbolize fertility; another leafy floral branch; and a deer couple at rest beneath a wonderfully curving pine tree that encircles and protects this gorgeous, idyllic scene blessed with symbolism of a long, healthy, happy and peaceful life filled with love. Each roundel is surrounded by a cell diaper pattern with a keyfret border on each side of the brazier. The decorated waisted neck supports a flat everted hexagonal rim decorated with a floral vignette on a cell diaper ground and a keyfret border, all resting on a keyfret-bordered base with six bracket feet decorated with lotus flowers and scrolls. The lotus is a Buddhist symbol of purity, because it rises above the muck to the surface of the pond to show its face to the sun, symbolizing hope and redemption. Height: 6.5 inches, 16.5 cm; Width: 8 inches, 20 cm.

Joseon Dynasty Ton-kwe (Korean Coin Chest). Coin chests are highly prized by collectors, as their purpose required that they be the largest, heaviest, and most well constructed piece of furniture in the home of an aristocrat. Paper money did not exist in Yi Dynasty Korea, and the coins were of very small denominations. They had to be strung together in large quantities to have any worth, so a strong money box was obviously a necessity. This is a very heavy and likely the most impressive authentic antique Korean coin chest you will ever see for sale. This massive and handsome coin chest must have belonged to a very wealthy family. 19.5 x 56 x 29 inches, 49.5 x 142 x 74 cm.

Blue and White Porcelain Memorial Tablet for Park Gi Il from Miryang, Korea, dated May 1830. It declares a long genealogy in the royal Min clan. This epitaph was written upon the passing of Park Gi Il of Miryang in May 1830. It memorializes him and lists his ancestors' names. An important piece of history and a rare and beautiful work of calligraphy painted with blue cobalt on white porcelain. 7.5 x 6 inches, 19 x 15 cm. framed

Black Lacquered Mother of Pearl Table. This is a low table used in ancestor worship rituals. The gorgeous peony flower is a symbol of abundance and wealth. The delightfully rendered dokkaebi goblins that adorn each leg are guardians that chase away evil spirits. The clouds are symbols of Heaven, and the plum blossoms are symbols of courage. As you can see in the photo, there is some loss to one of the dokkaebi goblins, but this table is in otherwise amazing and excellent condition. 25w x 13d x 11.75h inches, 63.5w x 33d x 30h cm.

This pair of pillow ends is the oldest Korean embroidery we have ever offered. They are about 200 years old, from the early 19th Century. Please look especially at the close-up photos to appreciate the very fine technique employed in the details of this marvelous and rare pair. The peonies are a symbol of love and prosperity, and the butterflies are a symbol of happiness. Only very old fabric has such warm colors, and only the old embroiderers would have had the dedication and work ethic required to render such a masterpiece of early Korean embroidery. Each pillow end is 6 inches (15cm) wide.

Rare 18th Century Burmese Wood Doll with Leather Skirt, Articulated Arms, and Painted Leather Hat Acquired by Irwin Hersey from Ohly's of London in 1976. 10 inches, 25.5 inches. From the collection of Irwin Hersey, renowned author on Asian and primitive art, and publisher of the Primitive Art Newsletter in the 1970s. Irwin Hersey was an advisor to museums and prominent collectors, and vetted pieces for many of the international tribal art fairs and Asian art fairs.

Rare 18th Century Chinese Helmet with Original Dragon Embroidery Intact. Height: 17 inches, 43 cm.

Very Rare Calligraphy by Kang Se Hwang aka Pyo Am (1713-1791), artist, calligrapher, art scholar and critic, and one of the most important figures and the most influential scholar-painter of 18th Century Korea. Calligraphy by Kang Se Hwang is so rare that the only other example that we know of in America is a very similar work in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, illustrated on pages 172-173 of the recently published, Pathways to Korean Culture: Paintings of the Joseon Dynasty by Burglind Jungmann. The left and right margins bear the signed and sealed authentication of the most renowned expert on Korean calligraphy, Kim Sun Won aka Mae San, celebrated calligrapher and host of the television show Jin Pum Myung Pum, the Korean equivalent of the Antiques Road Show. Mae San's authentications are highly valued and can be found on pieces in museum collections throughout Korea. 25 x 11 inches, 63.5 x 28 cm.

17 x 9.25 x 6 inches, 43 x 23.5 x 15 cm. Rare 18th Century Korean Animal Hide and Wood Box. There is a similar 18th Century example in the Tenri University Sankokan Museum, illustrated in the book The Korean Relics in Japan Volume 4, page 339.

17th Century Tibetan Thangka of Avalokitesvara with original silk mount and silk cover from a renowned and published collection. Mount: 46 x 28 inches (117 x 71 cm), Painting: 28 x 20 inches (71 x 51 cm).

Rare Early 18th Century Bhutanese Thangka Painting of Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), founder of Tibetan Buddhism. 26.5 x 21 inches, 67.25 x 53.25 cm.

18th Century Tibetan Rudra Chakrin, King of Shambhala Thangka, 43.5 x 25.5 inches, 91.5 x 66 cm. Most of these thangka were photographed through glass frames, so there may be a little blurriness. This thankga was in an exhibition at the University of Texas Art Museum.

Phurba from Sikkim, 12.5 inches, 31.5 cm.

Only Pair of Korean Enlightened Saints (Nahan) Paintings Ever Offered for Sale. Set in beautiful landscapes, the Nahan on the right has subdued a demon who is supplicating before him. 18th Century. Colors on paper. 30 x 13.5 inches, 76 x 34 cm each.

18th Century Mongolian Thangka of a Guardian Deity General on a White Horse. 27 x 19.25 inches, 68.5 x 49 cm.