Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (179)

Pair of Framed Korean Antique Embroidered Pillow Ends with the Characters 'Su' and 'Bok', Long Life and Happiness, and Peonies, ancient symbol of love and prosperity. These are set in a deep and lovely frame made of exotic paulownia wood (odong namu), a wood prized for its beautiful wide grain. Each Frame: 8.5 a 8.5 inches, 21.5 x 21.5 cm; Each Pillow End: 4.75 x 4.75 inches, 12 x 12 cm.

You rarely see 19th Century Korean tiger paintings offered for sale anymore, especially in excellent condition like this one. The last time we had one was 15 years ago, and it will probably be at least that long until have another one to offer. When they do come up in auctions now, they sell for five figures. That's because there is nothing anywhere like Joseon Era Korean tiger folk paintings. Tigers in Korean paintings are not ferocious. They are humorous and full of personality. And each one is unique, like this fellow here with his quizzical and lovable face as he is being addressed by the magpies. This was a favorite symbol of the common folks and represented the people speaking truth to power. The pine tree is a symbol of longevity and wisdom. The azaleas symbolize beauty. This painting is very "Korean." It is painted in ink and colors on traditional and old hanji paper. Korean tiger folk paintings are never signed. Frame: 45 x 29 inches (114 x 74 cm), Painting: 38 x 22 inches (97 x 56 cm).

19th Century Chinese Personal Dining Table with Beautiful Grain and Color, and a Rare and Elegant Form. The original natural oil finish has been buffed to a clear beautiful shine over many decades of buffing and cleaning, and is so much more attractive than the waxy chemical finishes on today's furniture. 22 x 14 x 5 inches, 56 x 35.5 x 12.5 cm.

Very Finely Embroidered Deluxe Pair of Korean Pillow Ends with Two Cranes (symbol of a long and happy life together) and Peonies (symbol of love and prosperity). A very special pair. Mounted and framed, but the frame is in disrepair and should be replaced. 5.5 x 4.25 inches, 14 x 11 cm each.

Fine and Rare Korean 19th Century Guardian Painting in Gold Leaf and Mineral Pigments on Silk in Excellent Condition with Vivid Colors. This would have hung on the door of a home to protect the household. This is the finest example of a door guardian painting we have ever seen. Frame: 22 x 10 inches, 56 x 25.5 cm; Painting: 19.5 x 7.5 inches, 50 x 19 cm.

Fine 19th Century Perfectly Matched Pair of Oiled Paper on Wood Wedding Chests with a Beautiful Surface. Only very old oiled paper that has aged for many years can give you this warm, deep, dark hue. A rare perfect pair that is guaranteed to add warmth and beauty to any room. Dimensions of each chest: 30w x 17.5h x 14.75 inches, 76w x 44.5h x 37.5 cm.

Fine Old Balinese Barong Mask. Best known antique example on the market. With handles and movable jaw. From a published and renowned collection. Barong, King of the Spirits, protects families from the evil Queen Rangda of the mythical Leyak child-eating witches. 17.5 x 11 x 9 inches, 44.5 x 28 x 23 cm.

Orchids and Rocks Painting by Kim Eung Won aka Soho (1855-1921). Orchids are an ancient Korean symbol of purity, modesty, and virtue. The rock symbolizes eternity, so the combination of orchids and rock have the meaning of eternal adherence to principle. The orchid grows in remote places, but its fragrance spreads over the land, just as the scholar often works in isolation, but through their scholarly and ethical works their influence is felt throughout the land. Talented painters of orchids were and still are held in the highest regard. Though Daewongun (Prince Yi Ha Eung) is often cited as the greatest painter of orchids, most scholars now agree it was Kim Eung Won who was creating many of the paintings for which Prince Daewongun took credit and which Daewongun signed. Daewongun was, of course, a great painter of orchids, but most agree now that Kim Eung Won may deserve the title of greatest. His paintings sell for a fraction of the price of Daewongun's paintings, at least for now. That can be expected to change as the general public catches up with the scholarship on the subject. The second photo here is from a sale at another gallery where the prices on much smaller and simpler paintings by Kim Eung Won are double the price we are asking here for this larger and finer painting. Ink on paper. 54 x 14 inches, 137.5 x 35.5 cm unmounted. (A much smaller Daewongun painting sold at Christie's for $12,500 on March 18, 2014).

19th Century Sharkskin Head Band Case with Lacquered Dragon and Many Fine Details. A string would have been looped through either the lacquered dragon or the brass ring on the lid. Only a high-ranking person would have had a case that was made of sharkskin. This one is completely covered in sharkskin. The beautifully rendered brass hardware has grape motifs etched into them, a symbol of abundance, because of its many seeds. The chrysanthemum on the lid is also a symbol of plenty, because of its many petals. The other brass work on the lid is the two ancient Daoist trigrams, 'Thunder' and 'Fire'. Altogether a marvelous and rare work of artistry in excellent condition. 6.25 x 3.5 inches, 16 x 9 cm.

Rare Type of Korean Antique Dining Table with Engraved Floral Scrolls and Calligraphy of Happiness and Long Life Characters. If you are interested, we can provide information on a very similar Korean table that recently sold at an auction in Korea for $4000. These types of tables are rare and much sought-after by collectors. The original natural oil finish has been buffed to a clear beautiful shine over many decades of buffing and cleaning, and is so much more attractive than the waxy chemical finishes on today's furniture. 36.5 x 20.5 x 11.5 inches, 92.75 x 52 x 29.25 cm.

Very Large Antique Wooden Joseon Dynasty Korean Wedding Goose inscribed with the year 1892. A similar but slightly smaller one recently sold at auction in Korea for $22,520 plus commission, for a total of $25,000! A photo of that auction result is the last photo here in this post. This is a grand piece of Korean folk art. This wooden goose was a gift from a Korean groom to a bride nearly 200 years ago, and is the largest and most beautifully rendered example we have ever seen. Because geese mate for life, the goose was a symbol of the groom's lifelong commitment to his bride. 28h x 35d x 13w inches, 71h x 89d x 33w cm.

Fine 19th Century Korean Royal Court Painting of Children at Play. This genre of Korean paintings always displays children playing in imaginary Chinese court costumes, and is called Baekdongja-do in Korean. From the ground-breaking Auspicious Spirits, Korean Folk Paintings exhibition catalogue: "Depicting the children as court nobility expressed an auspicious desire that one's own children achieve success in life." This exceptional example was displayed in the room of a wife in the Korean royal court to inspire her to become pregnant and to have healthy, playful, and successful children. It was also displayed on the first birthday of each child. Ink and colors on silk. 40 x 14.5 inches, 101.5 x 37 cm.

Rare Large Joseon Dynasty 19th Century Korean Medicine Chest, Yakjang. Reproductions of Joseon Dynasty medicine chests are popular. Now you have a rare opportunity to acquire an authentic one that was used in a genuine historical and cultural context by a traditional Korean doctor in the 19th century. 42.75w x 38.75h x 15.5d inches, 108.5w x 98.5h x 39.5d cm.

19th Century Korean Blue and White Porcelain Bottle with Beautifully Painted Peony Sprays. The peony is an ancient symbol of love and prosperity in Korea. 7.5h x 4.5w inches, 19h x 11.5w cm.

Korean Sword with Insignia on the Blade. 26 inches (66cm) overall. Cracks in the scabbard but in otherwise good condition.

This is a truly one-of-a-kind masterpiece of exquisite beauty that rewards long and repeated viewing. We have never seen a silver Joseon Dynasty lady's dagger (eunjangdo) with engraving entirely in a floral motif like this. The details are stunningly rendered along every millimeter of this fine work of art. Beyond the beauty of the luxurious surface, there is a deeper and thoughtful design that incorporates symbolism from ancient history. It is engraved with akebia mountain root (symbol of good health), lotus blossom (symbol of rebirth, because the lotus rises above the muck of the pond to show its face to the Sun), azalea (symbol of beauty and the "city flower" chosen by many of Korea's cities), peony (symbol of abundance because of its copious petals), banana leaf (the huge leaves are considered auspicious), plum blossoms (symbol of courage because they bloom before winter is not quite finished), and Korea's mugunghhwa national flower, the rose of sharon. Orchids are an ancient Korean symbol of purity, modesty, and virtue. The rock symbolizes eternity, so the combination of orchids and rock have the meaning of eternal adherence to principle. The dragonfly here is a symbol of purity. The small band in the middle has a key fret thunder pattern. Eunjangdo were worn by women of rank as a chest pendant and a symbol of their social standing. This dagger also served as a tool to save women from personal humiliation or peril, not by attacking an assailant but by killing themselves, under the Confucian moral obligation of medieval Korea 'to remain faithful to one spouse'. The silver chopsticks were used to determine the safety of food, as they would turn color if poison was present. 6 inches, 15 cm.

The Only Antique Korean Quiver and Arrows Set Ever Offered for Sale. Metal quiver and wood arrows with pointed metal tips. This type of lid locking mechanism appears only on Korean quivers. Quiver length: 29 inches (74 cm).

Pair of Framed Korean Antique Embroidered Pillow Ends with a Happy Peacock Family and Flowers. Peacocks symbolize the 9 Virtues: a tidy face, clear voice, careful walk, appropriate behavior according to place and time, moderation in eating and drinking, knowing how to be content, existing together, not being obscene, and always returning. Eternity and continuity are symbolized by the lovely multi-colored repeating 'ryul' characters that are embroidered all around the borders. These are set in deep frames made of exotic paulownia wood, a wood prized for its beautiful wide grain. Eternity and continuity is implied through the lovely multi-colored repeating 'ryul' characters that are embroidered all around the borders. A charming, auspicious, and finely embroidered pair of Antique Korean Pillow Ends framed for display. Each Frame: 7.5 x 7 inches, 19 x 19 cm; Each Pillow End: 4.25 x 4.25 inches, 10.75 x 10.75 cm.