Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (181)

Rare Joseon Dynasty Small Inlaid Silver Iron Box with Gorgeous Floral Designs, with two compartments. A fine and one-of-a-kind 19th Century Korean collectible. 3.75 x 2.25 x 1.5 inches, 9.5 x 6 x 4 cm.

Rare Korean Black Lacquered Arrow Case (Quiver) of bamboo with a design of grapes, peonies, and ferns. Length: 40 inches, 101.5 cm.

Rare Pair of Large Painted Korean Funeral Bier Panels imbued with syncretic symbolism, with painted lotuses that are profound symbols in Buddhism of rebirth and purity, and attached painted Taoist pullocho, the mythical longevity plant, projecting in in a row from the front, all used in the service of a Shamanist funeral ritual. A fine, rare and striking example of old Korean folk art, and a great example of the traditional Korean open-mindedness and blending of religious faiths. 86 inches (118.5cm) long x 8 inches (20.5cm) tall.

Rare Antique Korean Funerary Figure (Kkokdu) with much of its original pigment still intact. From a renowned and published New York collection. One of the finer examples we have seen. 11.5 inches, 29.5 cm.

Rare Large 19th Century Silver-Inlaid Iron Box with Exquisite Floral Design and Stylized Taeguk (Yin/Yang symbol) with Key Fret Border and Double Happiness Symbols. Silver-inlaid iron boxes are usually smaller than this rare large example. The floral design is also more detailed here than what we usually see, altogether making for a deluxe item. The condition is not perfect and is commensurate with the age of the item, and actually adds to the beauty and storied history of what must have been an extraordinary gift 150 years ago and a unique presentation item today. Perfectly proportioned at 6 x 4 x 4 inches, 15 x 10 x 10 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.

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.

Rare Old Korean Map with Beautiful Topographic Detail of Korea's many mountain ranges. The list of kings at the bottom ends with Sukjong, whose reign ended in 1720. It also has a list of distances from various places to the capital, and mileage charts of distances between various locations. Map: 42 x 24 inches, 106.5 x 61 cm; Frame: 59 x 30.25 inches, 150 x 77 cm.

This gorgeous Ichung-nong (Korean Two Unit Stacked Chest) is a rare early piece (mid 19th Century) that has aged to a warm rich hue that is nothing short of a heartwarming and rare treasure to behold. It is a beautiful effect that could never be even closely duplicated with new wood. The finishing process involved singing the wood with a hot iron to both darken it and draw out the resin, and then using straw to rub pinesoot into the grain to further darken it and simultaneously seal the pores and prevent drying, and finishing it with a light pineseed oil finish. A further air of mystery and dignity is given by the very long aging process itself. It is constructed of pine and a rare strain of paulownia with maple door and drawer panels, a rare and luxurious touch on a Korean chest, evidence that this piece was owned by a wealthy family. Furthermore, 'nong' chests were owned by upper-class families who would have observed the distinction between 'nong', which were intended for long-term storage, and the 'chang' type of chests which were for short-term storage. Much of the ironwork is in the shape of stylized floral motifs. The drawers are adorned with lovely Heavenly Peach drawer pulls of iron. The fruit of the mythical Heavenly Peach tree ripens only once every three thousand years and is eaten by the immortals when they gather for their feast at Yao Lake at the the abode of Seowangmo, the Queen Mother of the West. A further nice historical and cultural touch on an already wonderful, one-of-a-kind piece. 54h x 35w x 14d inches, 137h x 89w x 35.5d cm.

Rare Pair of Boxes for Storing a Scholar's Name Seals, with Lovely Wood Grain and Metalwork. A scholar's name seals were among his most personal and treasured items. 6h x 5w x 5d inches, 15h x 12.5w x 12.5d cm.

Rare Pair of Orchids and Rocks Paintings by Kim Eung Won aka Soho (1855-1921), beautifully framed. 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 last photo here is from a sale at another gallery where the prices on similar paintings by Kim Eung Won are several times higher than the price we are asking here for this fine and rare pair. Ink on paper. Each Frame: 61.5 x 18.5 inches, 156 x 47 cm. Each Painting: 48 x 12 inches, 122 x 30.5 cm. (A much smaller single Daewongun painting sold at Christie's for $12,500 on March 18, 2014).

Rare Red Lacquered Inkstone Box of Drawers adorned with ancient symbolism: 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.

Rare Small Wood Document Box. This is a fine and elegant example. 17 x 8.5 x 2.25 inches, 43 x 21.5 x 5.75 cm.

A Rare, Tall Masterpiece 5th to 6th Century Silla Jar with a Luxurious Drip Glaze. This is a rare opportunity to add a true masterpiece from 1,500 years ago to your collection. Silla ware is the most undervalued and underpriced of Korean antiquities. It preceded and influenced the Sue ware of Japan. This is the most beautiful example of a Silla jar we have seen. The entire circumference is richly adorned with an abundant accidental greenish brown drip glaze that culminates in vibrant pools. It is a rare form with a tall perforated pedestal and a tall neck with a dramatic V-form. Both the ridged pedestal and ridged neck feature incised wave patterns created with a comb around the circumference. The tall neck helped to keep the contents from splashing out. As if to reward prolonged viewing from every angle, the body has a secret band of unique punctuated comb incisions hidden at the bottom where the body meets the pedestal. Glaze has dripped to the bottom of the pedestal, as well. Given its total height in proportion to its body, imposing grandeur, and luxurious design, we can say with certainty this jar was utilized for ceremonial purposes. The National Museum of Denmark has a similar jar in its Kalbak Collection. Height: 12 inches, 30.5 cm. Circumference: 25.5 inches, 65 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.

The peony is an ancient symbol of love and prosperity in Korea. We have been trying since we opened 19 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 a floral painting and 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 here a beautifully framed Peony 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 strokes to radiant ink washes. 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. Ink on paper. Frame: 67 x 20.5 inches, 170 x 52 cm. Painting: 55 x 13.25 inches, 140 x 33.5 cm.

Red Lacquered Safe with Beautiful Metalwork with auspicious symbols: a tortoise lock (symbol of longevity),peach drawer pulls (a symbol of longevity), the diamond-shaped Seven Treasures symbol, floral scrolls throughout, and the wan (the wheel of life and symbol of universal peace and harmony) is a symbol so ancient it actually predates Buddhism and originally represented the revolving sun. In Buddhism it represents the Heart of the Buddha, happiness, and resignation of spirit. 14.5d x 10w x 11h inches, 37d x 15.5w x 28h 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