Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (206)

Large (Six Feet Tall) and Powerful Joseon Dynasty Dragon Painting mounted on Gold Silk. Unlike the stereotyped dragon paintings we see in other countries, each Korean dragon painting has a unique personality. This large and regal example is a dynamic rendering of Korea's dragon god who brings both rain and good fortune. His face is full of life and his body writhes with energy as he flies through clouds cleverly and beautifully rendered in the shape of waves of the sea (because he brings rain). Rain gives life and growth to all living things, so the dragon is a symbol of creation, growth, and fertility. Therefore, the dragon god was the most important deity in the old agrarian Korean society. When Koreans prayed to the mighty dragon for rain and blessings, they were hoping for a dragon as powerful as this one to answer their prayers. Ink and colors on paper and mounted on silk. Mounting: 70 x 26 inches, 178 x 66 cm; Painting: 52 x 21 inches, 132 x 53.5 cm.

Prehistoric Korean Stone Sword 1500 - 1000 BCE. A similar example is in the catalogue of the Musee Guimet's Korean art collection. The Musee Guimet catalogue states these stone swords have "a particularly pure aesthetic whose modernity cannot fail to enchant today's viewers". The last photo here is from a petroglyph at a prehistoric burial site (Orim-dong megalithic burial no. 5 in Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do), depicting a similar weapon. Further References: Bale, Martin T.; Ko, Min-jung (2006), Craft Production and Social Change in Mumun Period Korea. Asian Perspectives 45 (2): 159-187. Park Je Gwang (2006), History of Steel in Eastern Asia. History of Korea through the Fall of Goguryeo, pages 9 - 10. Chosen Soukantoku Kanbo Soumukyoku Insatsu Jo (1912), Riou-ke Hakubutsu-kan Chozou-hin Shashin-chou Ge, (Prince Yi Household Museum Collection Picture Book Volume 2). This sword is similar to the sword that is from the famous collection of Gukeun Lee Yang-sun that is now in the permanent collection of the Gyeongju National Museum and can be seen on page 82 of the museum catalog. These publications date this type of sword to 1500 - 1000 BCE. Another useful book on this subject is the 2002 publication, Collection of Korea Army Museum, that gives examples of the differences between Bronze Age and Iron Age Korean weapons. They are quite a bit different, and this is clearly a Bronze Age Korean sword. There are also numerous examples of early Korean weapons in the article on the subject by John Boots in the December 1934 Transactions of the Korea Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. 10 inches (25.5 cm) x 2.5 inches (6.5 cm). The handle has a glued repair, but the piece is entirely original.

This pair of painted portraits depicts the newlywed Justice Minister Choi Seok-min (1858-1915) and his wife. The level of photo-like realism in these paintings is astounding. 19th Century portraits of women are exceedingly scarce. This is the only example we have ever seen offered for sale. The documentation pictured here is included with this pair of portraits. Each painting is 49 x 18 inches, 124.5 x 45.5 cm.

A Rare Tour-de-Force Masterpiece Ten-Panel Painting by the Renowned 19th Century Korean Royal Court Artist Yang Ki Hun aka Sukyeon (1843-1898). This is the first Yang Ki Hun screen painting offered for sale outside of Korea in many years, and it is arguably the best of them. We have here the most renowned of the 19th Century Korean royal court painters demonstrating his mastery and artistry in all of the most revered scholar's motifs. The few other screens of his we have seen in the market over the years were limited to one motif for the entire screen. Each of the ten paintings in this screen is a different motif, but the master brings unity to the entire composition as well with a consistent visual flow that naturally leads the eye from one masterpiece painting to the next. These paintings are unmounted and ready to be framed or mounted onto a screen or rolled up, stored and conserved for their artistic, historical, and cultural value. Each painting is 48.5 x 11.5 inches (123.5 x 29 cm). Ink on paper. The fourth photo here shows the market price for individual Yang Ki Hun paintings and should give you an idea of how very attractive the price is on this set of ten paintings.

We have been trying since we opened 18 years ago to acquire a Kim Gyu Jin painting, but they are all either stored in museums or firmly entrenched in private collections. His works are in the collections of the world's biggest museums, including the Metropolitan Museum and the British Museum. There is just one other one on the market, as shown in the last photo here. It is also an orchids painting and it is being offered by a retiring gallery owner for a price reduced from $9000.00 to a "sale" price of $6500.00. So it is with great pride that we offer for the first time a painting by Korean Joseon Dynasty Royal Court artist Kim Gyu Jin. This painting is a fine example of the range of Kim Gyu Jin's brushwork, from dynamic sweeping strokes to quietly rendered details. Kim Gyu Jin aka Haegang (1868-1933) had a tremendous influence on Korean art through his paintings, the art organization he founded (Seohwa Hyeophoe Calligraphy and Painting Association), and his textbooks that became canon in art studies. He taught painting and calligraphy to King Gojong and to the crown prince and he was commissioned by King Sukjong to paint the murals at Changdok Palace. 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. Talented painters of orchids were and still are held in the highest regard, and Kim Gyu Jin is unanimously regarded as one of the best. Ink on paper. Scroll Mounting: 79 x 20.5 inches (201 x 52 cm), 54 x 13.5 inches (137 x 34 cm).

Rare Four-Panel Set of Orchid and Rock Paintings 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. 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 that it was Kim Eung Won aka Soho (1855-1921) who was painting many of the paintings for which the prince Daewongun took credit and which Daewongun signed. Daewongun was, of course, a fine 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. Ink on paper. These paintings are unmounted and ready to be framed or mounted onto a screen or rolled up, stored and conserved for their artistic, historical, and cultural value. Each Painting: 48 x 12.5 inches, 122.5 x 32 cm. (A much smaller Daewongun painting recently sold at Christie's for $12,500 for one painting on March 18, 2014).

Rare and Fine Painting on Silk of Dokseong, The Hermit Saint, from the renowned Charles J. Chu Collection. Sold on June 25, 2010 in Skinner's Asian Works of Art auction (Sale 2512, Lot 445). We sold the last Dokseong painting we had to the Art Institute of Chicago. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a beautiful and important painting with an impeccable provenance. Dokseong is portrayed here in a heavenly landscape filled with ancient symbolism, as he sits under the pine tree (symbol of longevity) with a stack of books, beside peonies (symbol of wealth, in this case, a wealth of knowledge and natural beauty), in front of waterfalls and a river (symbols of eternal life), atop a rocky plateau with freshly blooming orchids (orchids are an ancient Korean symbol of purity, modesty, and virtue; rocks symbolizes eternity; so the combination of orchids and rocks have the meaning of eternal adherence to principle). His robe is adorned with clouds (symbol of longevity) and chrysanthemums (symbol of abundance). The chrysanthemums are echoed in the bookshelves. The melons and pomegranates atop the books are fruits with many seeds, so they symbolize plenty. In this case, they represent nature's abundance. Frame: 42 x 33 inches (107 x 84 cm), Painting: 36.5 x 27.25 inches (93 x 69 cm).

Rare Red Lacquered Inkstone Box of Drawers with symbolic metalwork: bullocho (mythical longevity plant) lock plates, bat (symbol of happiness) drawer pulls, and swallowtail (symbol of beauty) braces. The inkstone box was a Korean scholar's most treasured item. He handled it every day, when he would take out the contents to write and paint. The lid opens to reveal the compartment for the inkstone. The drawers hold the brush, ink, and paper. Together these, with the inkstone, are the "scholar's four friends." An inkstone box in royal red lacquer is exceedingly scarce. 11.5 D x 9.75 H x 8.25 W.

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).

This seven feet tall Antique Korean Trident is the only Joseon Dynasty Trident ever offered for sale. The few existing examples are all in museums in Korea. Only Korea has this type of trident with the small round iron cymbals under the fork for scaring off tigers and other wild animals. The shape of the fork is also uniquely Korean. The Chinese trident has much rounder corners. 82 inches (208 cm) tall, 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) wide.

This is the only ancient Korean mace ever offered for sale. The few existing examples are all in museums in Korea. It is from the Early Joseon Dynasty, 16th Century or earlier. Only Korea has this type of straight mace with a perfectly round head. And the head is made from iron insets just like the scales on Korean royal armor. 22 inches (46 cm) long, 3.5 inches (9 cm) wide.

Very Rare Joseon Period Lacquered Bamboo Fan with the Korean Taegeuk National Symbol.The last photo here shows a similar fan in a recent Korean auction with an estimate of $3,000 to $5,000. You can see similar examples on page 475 of the catalogue of the Korean art collection of the Grassi Museum in Leipzig, Germany. The Taegeuk symbol has been used in Korea for thousands of years and is the center of the Korean flag. The three colors here, yellow, red, and a very light blue, represent balance in the universe, and Humanity, Earth, and Heaven, respectively. These fans very rarely come up for sale and are highly desired by collectors and museums. We offer this opportunity for one of our clients to make this rare acquisition of a sublime and contemplative 19th Century Korean meditative object at a generous price. 13 inches (33 cm) high x 9 inches (23 cm) wide.

Lovely 13th Century Korean Celadon Chrysanthemum and Bullocho Bowl. The chrysanthemum is a Korean symbol of plenty, as represented by its many petals. The mythical bullocho plant is an ancient symbol of longevity. 4.5 inches (11.5cm) wide by 1.5 inches (4cm) high.

Rare and Beautiful Pair of 19th Century Korean Hwajodo Bird and Flower Paintings filled with ancient and beautiful symbolism. The pair of pheasants symbolize love, the lotus symbolizes rebirth, the rocks represent eternity, the chrysanthemums with their many petals symbolize plenty or good fortune. Pheasants are an ancient symbol of happy marriage and family duties, and also represent royalty and the peace and order their reign should bring. The azaleas are a symbol of beauty. The bamboo, subtly rendered here with just the leaves on view, is a symbol of wisdom, flexibility, and resilience because it is flexible and wise enough to bend with the wind rather than resist it. So the entire composition represents a beautiful, resilient, bountiful, and eternal marriage. Each Painting: 50 x 13 inches, 127 x 33 cm.

Very Rare Pair of Orchid and Rock Paintings by Kim Eung Won aka Soho (1855-1921). This is the only pair of Kim Eung Won paintings we have ever seen offered for sale. 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. 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 that it was Kim Eung Won aka Soho (1855-1921) who was painting many of the paintings for which the prince Daewongun took credit and which Daewongun signed. Daewongun was, of course, a fine 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. Ink on paper. Each Painting: 50 x 12 inches, 128 x 31 cm. (A much smaller Daewongun painting recently sold at Christie's for $12,500 on March 18, 2014).

Large Prehistoric Bronze Age Korean Arrowhead of a scarce type and size illustrated in the catalogue: The 29th United Association of the University Museums of Korea Exhibition - Korea's Bow and Arrow. There are also similar examples of early Korean arrowheads in the December 1934 Transactions of the Korea Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. 1500 - 300 BCE. 6 inches (15 cm).

Exceedingly Scarce Set of Three Iron Age Korean Pots with Exquisite Color and Beautiful Form. 4th to 1st Century BC. You are unlikely to ever see another Iron Age Korean pot offered for sale, much less a set of three. The remaining examples are all in museums or tightly held private collections. These prehistoric pieces are finely potted and made from soft and sandy red clay. They are aesthetically striking in both color and form and are historically significant. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the scholar/collector/aesthete. Right Pot Dimensions: 16.25 inches (41cm) circumference, 3.25 inches (8.5cm) height. Middle Pot Dimensions: 18.25 inches (46.5cm) circumference, 4 inches (10cm) height. Left Pot Dimensions: 12.5 inches (32cm) circumference, 2.75 inches (7cm) height.

Rare and Ancient Celtic Stone Janus from the Published and Renowned Collection of Irwin Hersey, renowned author on 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. 4.5 inches wide, 3 inches high.