Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Korean (29)

1971 Oil Painting by Choi Young Rim. Frame: 30 x 24 inches, 76 x 61 cm; Painting: 20 x 15 inches, 51 x 38 cm.

A Large, Rare, and Major Work of Ceramic Art by Korea's Most Famous Monk, Jung Kwang. A Tall Painted Porcelain Vase with a Zen Painting of a Crane Under the Moon by the Famous Korean Jeju Island Monk, Ko Chang Nyul aka Jung Kwang Sunim aka the Mad Monk (1935-2002). There is a prominent New York dealer's exhibition going on right now of Jung Kwang's works, where you will see the prices are several times higher than mine. This other gallery has been in business for over forty years and has sold to many of the major museums. A google search of Jung Kwang Mad Monk will reveal the fascinating life of this character, and you'll find this movie about him (http://www.piff.org/eng/html/archive/arc_search_view.asp?idx=1314&target=search&c_idx=18&m_entry_year=2002) and this exhibition at the Seoul Art Center (http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20110807000244) and this book (http://www.amazon.com/The-Mad-Monk-Paintings-Lancaster-Miller/dp/0895810174) and more. He and his work have been featured on CNN, PBS, NHK, and other major broadcasters. He was a famous monk, artist, poet, and actor. His unique paintings are instantly recognizable by their zen approach to form and color. Please look closely at the painting here to get a sense of the spiritual quality of the artist's brushwork. The crane is an ancient symbol of longevity. It has further symbolic meaning in Buddhism. The bodhisattvas change themselves into cranes so that they can fly all over the world visiting and helping people. The moon is also an ancient symbol of longevity in Korea. The buyer of this fine painting will receive a PDF file compilation of Jung Kwang Sunim's poems, and a bio. You'll laugh and cry when you read "Zen Poems 1". The recent exhibition of Jung Kwang Sunim's work at the Zen Buddhist Temple in New York City was the most highly-attended exhibition ever presented by the Korean Art Society. At that exhibition, Jung Kwang Sunim's works sold for multiples of the price we are asking here. Height: 15 inches, cm; Circumference: 42 inches, cm.

Bold Buncheong Tea Bowl by the Last Korean Princess, Yi Bangja (1901 - 1989), with the original signed box. 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."

Chrysanthemum Fan Painting by Jeon Yeong Suk aka Yeo Cheong (1960 - ). The chrysanthemum's many petals is an ancient symbol of an abundant life or fertility. 21 x 6.5 inches, 53.5 x 16.5 cm. This, along with our Stock Numbers 1318 and 1320, is part of a set of three fan flower paintings by Jeon Yeong Suk.

Meditative calligraphy: Empty Your Heart and Mind by Lee Nam Ho aka Geum Choo (1908-2001). Lee Nam Ho is renowned as a painter. This is a rare and fine example of his calligraphy. Calligraphy has been the most revered field of art throughout Korean history. 26 x 12 inches, 65.5 x 31 cm.

Exquisite Hagi Tea Bowl by the Last Korean Princess, Yi Bangja (1901 - 1989), with the original signed box. The glaze is the same prized biwa color and earthy texture as that achieved by 16th-17th century Korean Hagi potters living in Japan. The foot features the shrunken glaze that was used in those days. Diameter: 5.5 inches, 14 cm. Height: 3 inches, 7.5 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."

Heartwarming Hagi Tea Bowl by the Last Korean Princess, Yi Bangja (1901 - 1989), with the original signed box. This bowl is a spectacular achievement in ceramic artistry and technique. The glaze is a pale biwa color that was highly prized by 16th-17th century Korean Hagi potters living in Japan. The foot features the shrunken glaze that was used in those days. Diameter: 5.5 inches, 14 cm. Height: 3 inches, 7.5 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."

Painting of Peaches by the Last Korean Princess Yi Bangja, one of Korea's most revered artists and beloved humanitarians. The peach is an ancient longevity symbol in Korea. 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. 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." Frame: 27.5 x 20.5 inches, 70 x 52 cm. Painting: 21 x 14 inches, 53.5 x 35.5 cm. The frame of this painting matches exactly the frame of the painting of camellias here by Yi Bangja (Stock #1575). That and their complementary meanings make the two paintings a perfect pair.

Painting of Camellias by the Last Korean Princess Yi Bangja, one of Korea's most revered artists and beloved humanitarians. The camellia is a symbol of faithfulness and, according to tradition, they have been used in Korean weddings since 1200 BC. The large rock in the painting is a longevity symbol. When the camellia is depicted with the rock the combination gives the ancient symbolic meaning of eternal adherence to principle and is a poetic representation of undying faithfulness. 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." Frame: 25.5 x 23 inches, 62 x 58.5 cm. Painting: 18.5 x 16 inches, 47 x 40.5 cm. The frame of this painting matches exactly the frame of the painting of peaches here by Yi Bangja (Stock #1576). That and their complementary meanings make the two paintings a perfect pair.

Memorial to Kim Koo by Chung Young Gok aka Kang Ho, a friend of Kim Koo. The second and third photos here are of Chung Young Gok with Kim Koo. The calligraphy states that it was composed on the occasion of a 1978 memorial ceremony to Kim Koo (1876 - 1949), the leader of the independence movement during Japan's occupation of Korea. The ceremony was at Baek Beom Sa Buddhist temple. The four main characters read: Su San Bok Hae, and translate: longevity like the mountain and good fortune like the sea. Wishes of good fortune are offered to Kim Hak Dae, a friend of Kim Koo and Chung Young Gok. Kim Hak Dae was at the memorial ceremony with Chung Young Gok. This work is an important piece of Korean history. Kim Koo is one of the most important figures in Korean history. His portrait will be on the new 100,000 Korean Won bill. Frame size: 64.25 x 18.5 inches, 163.5 x 47 cm; Painting size: 50 x 12 inches, 127 x 30.5 cm.

Calligraphy by Korea's Most Famous Calligrapher, O Se Chang aka Wichang (1864 - 1953), beautifully framed. Not only is O Se Chang the most renowned calligrapher in the most revered field of art throughout Korean history, his books on calligraphy have become the definitive texts on the subject. He is famous for his works in seal script, as in this example here. O Se Chang's calligraphy is prominently featured in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's exhibition on Korean calligraphy, Beyond Line: The Art of Korean Writing, including his work on loan from the National Museum of Korea. Frame: 64.5 x 19 inches, 164 x 48 cm. Calligraphy: 51.5 x 12.5 inches, 131 x 32 cm.

This spectacular and truly one-of-a kind telephone was not only crafted by what was Korea's premier lacquer and mother-of-pearl company in the mid 20th Century (Kimpo Chilgi Gongyaesa), this is the one-off deluxe telephone that they made for themselves to use in their own office, so they put everything into this phone, and there really is no other like it. The label, like the rest of the telephone , is in remarkable condition, so you can still read the company name and telephone number on the label. The phone actually works, and it spins on the stand like a lazy susan. This is a grand and beautiful piece of Korean history. 11.5w x 7.5h inches, 29w x 19 cm.

Large Artist's Proof of Munjado Calligraphy by the Famous Kim Ki Chang aka Unbo (1913 - 2001). Calligraphy has been the most revered field of art throughout Korean history. Despite being deaf, Unbo was one of Korea's most beloved 20th Century artists. His works are now sought by museums and collectors internationally. This is the original signed AP (Artist's Proof) of this large lithograph, where Unbo gives us a most creative rendering with anthropomorphic figures in the ancient style of figurative munjado calligraphy. 38.5 x 28.5 inches, 98 x 72.5 cm.

Lilac Fan Painting by Jeon Yeong Suk aka Yeo Cheong (1960 - ). The lilac is an ancient symbol of peace and harmony. 21 x 6.5 inches, 53.5 x 16.5 cm. This, along with our Stock Numbers 1319 and 1320, is part of a set of three fan flower paintings by Jeon Yeong Suk.

Painting of Monkey Reaching for the Moon's Reflection in the Water by Renowned Korean Buddhist Monk and Painter Su An Sunim (born 1940), from the ancient Buddhist parable of the monkey reaching for the moon's reflection in the water. The recent exhibition of Su An Sunim's work at the Zen Buddhist Temple in New York City was the most highly-attended exhibition ever presented by the Korean Art Society. At that exhibition, Su An Sunim's works of similar size and quality sold for multiples of the prices we are asking here. Ink and colors on paper. 52.5 x 13 inches, 133 x 33 cm. The third photo here shows a wall label from that exhibition with a price of $2000 for a similar painting. That painting is much smaller than the Su An painting we are offering here.

Contemplative calligraphy: Music, Writing, and Books by Lee Nam Ho aka Geum Choo (1908-2001). Lee Nam Ho is renowned as a painter. This is a rare and fine example of his calligraphy. Calligraphy has been the most revered field of art throughout Korean history. 51 x 13.5 inches, 129 x 34 cm.

Oil Painting by Park Deuk Soon (1910 - 1990), signed and dated 1949, with original frame. Park Deuk Soon studied in Tokyo with Ryohei Koizo and graduated from the Pacific Fine Arts School in 1938. He exhibited often at the National Art Exhibition and the Chosun Art Exhibition. He was also an educator and an active member of the Kukjeon, and served for a time as President of the Korean Painters Association. Frame: 23.5 x 19 inches, 59 x 48 cm; Painting: 17 x 12.25 inches, 43 x 31 cm.

Pair of Cranes Painting and Poem by Korean Buddhist Monk Su An Sunim (born 1940). The crane is a an ancient symbol of longevity and immortality. Because cranes were believed to stay with one mate for their lifetime, it is also a symbol of faithful love. When the crane is paired like this, the meanings of immortality and fidelity combine to mean eternal love. The flying-white brushwork and ink washes here display Su An Sunim's mastery of zen art at its best. The recent exhibition of Su An Sunim's work at the Zen Buddhist Temple in New York City was the most highly-attended exhibition ever presented by the Korean Art Society. At that exhibition, Su An Sunim's works of similar size and quality sold for multiples of the prices we are asking here. Ink and colors on paper. 27 x 14 inches, 69 x 35 cm. The second photo here shows a wall label from that exhibition with a price of $2000 for a similar painting. That painting is smaller than the Su An painting we are offering here.