Catalog (335)

Rare Antique Onggi Medicinal Pot and Cover from Gyeonggi Province, with a beautiful deep, dark brown color. This pot is formed from two halves, a bottom half and a top half, that are put together to form this striking and unusual shape, with a ridged seam around the circumference of the pot. The clay is rich in iron and the glaze is made from clay mixed with wood ash and a little raw lead. The result is a rich dark chocolate brown. Height: 8 inches, 20.5 cm; Circumference: 26.5 inches, 67.25 cm. Onggi are the most 'Korean' of Korean pots. All words related to onggi are of pure Korean origin, not based on Chinese characters. They are a beautiful form of Korean folk art.

Antique Onggi Rice Jar from Jeolla Province, with a fantastic color and surface, and wonderful finger-paintings of stylized orchids. Height: 10.25 inches, 26 cm; Circumference: 36 inches, 91.5 cm. Onggi are the most 'Korean' of Korean pots. All words related to onggi are of pure Korean origin, not based on Chinese characters. They are a beautiful form of Korean folk art.

Antique Onggi Jar for Preserving Seeds from Gyeongsang Province, with charming finger-painting designs. Height: 9 inches, 23 cm; Circumference: 34 inches, 86.25 cm. Onggi are the most 'Korean' of Korean pots. All words related to onggi are of pure Korean origin, not based on Chinese characters. They are a beautiful form of Korean folk art.

Antique Onggi Water Jar (Mul Tongi) from Gangwon Province with lovely finger-painted designs. The potter creates the whimsical designs by running his finger (or thumb) through the still-wet glaze. 14.5w x 14.5h inches, 37w x 37h cm (the width includes the handles). Onggi are the most 'Korean' of Korean pots. All words related to onggi are of pure Korean origin, not based on Chinese characters. They are a beautiful form of Korean folk art.

Antique Onggi Water Jar (Muldok) from Gyeongsang Province with a beautiful dark brown color. 15.5w x 9h inches, 39.5w x 23 cm. Onggi are the most 'Korean' of Korean pots. All words related to onggi are of pure Korean origin, not based on Chinese characters. They are a beautiful form of Korean folk art.

Antique Stone and Metal Chinese Seal Chop from the published and renowned collection of Sam Hilu, a prominent author and adviser on traditional Asian art. 5 inches, 12.5 cm.

Antique Timor Message Drum from the published and renowned collection of Sam Hilu, a prominent author and adviser on traditional Asian art. 20.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches, 52 x 14 x 14 cm.

Beautiful and Rare 19th Century Korean Elm Wood Document Box from Gyeongsangnam-do, with a patina and grain of gorgeous color and texture and lovely floral metalwork with plum blossoms (a symbol of courage because the plum blossoms early, before winter is quite finished) and chrysanthemum (a symbol of plenty or fertility because of its many petals). For a similar example, see page 69 of Traditional Korean Furniture by Man Sill Pai and Edward Reynolds Wright. 13 x 13 x 7.5 inches, 33 x 33 x 19 cm.

Beautiful and Rare Korean Joseon Dynasty Silver and Coral Eunjangdo with Very Fine Floral Design. The eunjangdo was worn by a woman of rank as a chest pendant and a symbol of her 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'. 4 inches, 10 cm.

The classic yongmok samcheung-jang (Korean zelkova root chest with three levels) is probably the most-widely imitated type of Korean antique chest among the reproductions that are all over the internet. This exquisite and genuine 19th Century Joseon Dynasty yongmok samcheung-jang will surely be the showcase piece in any collection. Yongmok is zelkova root, and literally translates to dragon burlwood, which describes the shapes of dragons that can be seen in the very fancy grain of the zelkova root. This chest is a particularly rare and fine example in exceptionally good condition. If you ever do see an old and fine Korean chest of zelkova, it is always just the panels that are of zelkova, while the frame is pine. This rare chest actually uses zelkova for both the panels and the frame, so that the entire front is zelkova. The effect is quite stunning. The other sides are constructed of a fine wide-grained paulownia wood. The stand is carved in the shape of a bat, an ancient Korean symbol of good fortune, because bat and good fortune share the same pronunciation. Other than the cheaply-made reproductions of these that you see all over the internet (most of which are dishonestly described as antiques and are not even made in Korea), it is unlikely that you will see another genuine Joseon Dynasty Dragon Burlwood Three-Level Chest for sale, other than in Korea, where it will sell for multiples of this price. We receive emails almost weekly from factories in China that sell the reproductions very cheaply. Unlike some other dealers, we have never accepted these offers. There's nothing like the look of rare and exotic zelkova root that has aged for over 100 years. Unlike the reproductions, this genuine article will last for generations and the beauty of the old wood will only deepen and increase with age, making it a fine heirloom for a proud family. 64h x 43w x 20.75d inches, 162.5h x 109w x 52.75d cm.

Bhutanese Bon Deity Kyung Mask of Papier Mache, 15 inches, 38 cm.

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.

19th Century Korean Black Lacquered Mirror Box with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay of a pair of cranes, representing longevity and marital bliss, and peaches of immortality and abundant and propitious floral and geometric patterns. As is usually the case, the mirror is replaced. 9 x 7.5 x 4.5 inches, 23 x 19 x 11.5 cm.

Bodhisattva by Choi Dae Shik aka Daniel Choi, Set of Ten Paper on Wood Sculpture, as featured in SOFA, Sculptural Objects and Functional Art, the premier gallery-presented art fair dedicated to three-dimensional art and design. Each one has a hook on the back, so they may also be displayed hanging on the wall. 10 inches (25.5 cm) tall.

Bold Buncheong Tea Bowl by the Last Korean Princess, Yi Bangja (1901 - 1989). The white slip is applied in powerful brushstrokes in the style of Joseon Dynasty potters. The chrysanthemums have their ancient symbolism for prosperity multiplied with the many flowers painted on the bottom of the bowl. Diameter: 5.5 inches, 14 cm. Height: 2.5 inches, 6 cm. Part of a special and stunning collection we have acquired of ceramics created by one of Korea's most revered artists and beloved humanitarians. You now have the rare opportunity to own a beautiful work of art and an important piece of Korean history created by the last member of the royal household to reside in Korea's royal palace. Princess Yi Bangja devoted her entire life to the education of mentally and physically handicapped people, and worked tirelessly to support them. She is the subject of television and stage dramas, operas, movies, and books, including her autobiography, "The World is One."

Buncheong Ceramic Wall Panel by Yoon Ja Eui. Artist signed wood box is included. 10.5 x 10.5 inches, 27 x 27 cm.

Buncheong Ceramic Wall Panel by Yoon Ja Eui. Artist signed wood box is included. 10.5 x 10.5 inches, 27 x 27 cm.

Buncheong Ceramic Wall Panel by Yoon Ja Eui. Artist signed wood box is included. 10.5 x 10.5 inches, 27 x 27 cm.