Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Korean (111)

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).

Antique Korean Coin Chest, Donkwe. 11h x 24w x 12.5d, 28h x 61w x 32d m. Coin chests are highly prized by collectors of Korean antiques. Paper money did not exist in Joseon Dynasty Korea, and the coins were of very small denominations. They had to be strung together in large, heavy quantities to have any worth, so a strong money box was a necessity. Mattie Ingold, an American missionary physician who worked in Jeonju, wrote: "If Korean money were proportionately as great in value as it is in weight and clumsiness, the Koreans would be a very wealthy people."

Rare 19th Century Korean Children's Headside Chest (Meorijang). This was placed at the head of the child's sleeping place. 32 x 20 x 20 inches, 81 x 51 x 51 cm.

Scarce Joseon Dynasty Fish Form Silver Inlaid Iron Box Wonderfully Designed. The form and design are sublime and feature an exquisitely arranged silver inlaid face and fish scales. 6.5 x 2.25 x 1.25 inches, 16.5 x 6 x3 cm.

Rare 19th Century Red Lacquered Korean Wedding Box. Red lacquered boxes were reserved by law for members of the royal court. 16 x 13 x 11 inches, 41 x 33 x 28 cm.

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.

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.

Extremely Scarce Set of Five Prehistoric Korean Arrowheads from Korea's Neolithic Period 8000-1500 BCE. These faceted arrowheads are identical to the Neolithic arrowheads on page 31 of the catalog, the 29th United Association of the University Museums of Korea Exhibition - Korea's Bow and Arrow, The Military Academy Museum. Sizes range from 1.75 to 3.25 inches. It is unlikely you will ever again see prehistoric Korean arrowheads offered for sale.

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.

16.5 x 8.5 x 5.25 inches, 42 x 21.5 x 13.5 cm. Rare 18th Century Korean Animal Hide 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.

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.

17 x 9 x 7 inches, 43 x 23 x 18 cm. Rare 18th Century Korean Animal Hide 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.

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.

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.

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

Fine and Beautifully Embroidered 19th Century Korean Ironing Board from the renowned, published, and exhibited Lea Sneider textiles collection. This truly deluxe Korean ironing board is the finest example we have seen of an embroidered ironing board, and is filled with imaginatively rendered symbolism. Geese mate for life, so they are an ancient symbol of fidelity, and the lotus is a symbol of purity and rebirth, because the lotus rises above the muck of the pond to show its face to the Sun. 22.5 x 6.5 inches (57 x 16.5 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.

Deluxe Pair of Finely Embroidered 19th Century Korean Pillow Ends from the renowned, published, and exhibited Lea Sneider textiles collection, with Peonies (symbol of prosperity) and Mountains (symbol of longevity). Frames: 9.5 x 9.5 inches (23 x 23 cm); Pillow Ends: 6 x 6 inches (15 x 15 cm).