Catalog (31)

Very Fine and Rare Goryeo Dynasty Inlaid Celadon Cosmetic Box, 12th to 13th Century. The last photo here is a similar example that was in Christie's September 22, 2005 Sale of Japanese and Korean Art. We are sure you will agree that the Christie's example is not as refined, detailed, and beautifully designed as the piece that we offer here, with its inlaid lotus, geese, willow tree, and reeds. The condition is also excellent. On the side, you can see two small spaces where the potter's fingers covered the glaze. This is original to the piece so it is not a condition issue. It is in pretty much its original condition. The Christie's example was estimated at $10,000 to $15,000, 10 years ago. Dimensions: 4.75 inches wide, 3 inches high (50% larger than the Christie's example, which was 3.25 inches wide). 12 cm wide and 7.5 cm high.

Rare 19th Century Black Lacquered Box with Mother-of-Pearl Cranes (symbol of longevity and eternal love, because cranes were believed to mate for life), Peach Trees (symbol of longevity), Plum Blossoms (symbol of courage because the plum blossom blooms early, before winter is finished), and Peonies (symbol of prosperity). 20w x 11.5d x 11.75h, 51w x 29d x 30h cm.

Rare 19th Century Black Lacquered Box with Mother-of-Pearl River and Mountain Landscape and Plum Blossoms (the plum blossom is a symbol of courage because it blooms early, before winter is quite finished). For centuries in Korea, a rendering of a mountain and river (called Sansu in Korean) is more than a beautiful landscape; it is also a profound philosophical and spiritual statement. Heaven, Earth, and Humanity are represented, by the mountain, river, and human figures, respectively. 18w x 10.5d x 10h inches, 45.75w x 26.5d x 25.5h cm.

Three Fine Antique Korean Safes with Gorgeous Burlwood Grain and Stunning Metalwork. Dimensions: 22.5w x 15d x 15h inches (57 x 38 x 38 cm), 16w x 11d x 10.5h (40.5 x 28 x 27 cm), 12w x 9.5d x 11h (30.5 x 24 x 28 cm).

19th Century Korean Hat Box made entirely of Exotic Paulownia (Odong-namu) Wood, from the collection of a French diplomat stationed in Korea in the 1950s. Paulownia is very desirable for collectors because of its beautiful wide grain, light weight, and fire and bug-resistant qualities. The paulownia used for this rare hat box is especially fine. 9.5 x 9.5 x 8.5 (height) inches, 24 x 24 x 21.5 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.

Rare 19th Century Korean Antique Men's Mirror Box of High Quality Persimmon and Zelkova Wood. 10 x 8 x 6 inches, 25 x 20 x 15 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.

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.

Very Fine and Rare Cherry Wood Korean Scholar's Document Box (Munseoham). 13.75 x 7.25 x 4.75 inches, 35 x 18.5 x 12 cm.

19th Century Rare and Elegant Walnut Wood Korean Scholar's Document Box (Munseoham). 15w x 10h x 8d inches, 38w x 25.5h x 20.5d cm.

14th Century Korean Inlaid Celadon Cosmetic Box with a rich color right in the middle of the blue-green of the Goryeo Period and the gray-green of the Joseon Period. The chrysanthemum's many petals is an ancient symbol of an abundant life or fertility. Encircled with a key fret thunder pattern and rolling clouds motif. A rare and gorgeous piece. 3.25 inches wide x 1.75 inches high; 8.25 cm wide x 4.5 cm high.

Luxurious 19th Century Korean Black-Lacquered Mother-of-Pearl Comb and Cosmetics Box (Bitjup). This fine example is larger than other lacquered comb boxes. It is 11.25 x 11.25 x 10 inches (28.5 x 28.5 x 25.5 cm). The pairs of birds represent love, the hexagonal motif on the middle drawers is the ancient tortoise-back symbol of longevity, the peony on the bottom right drawer represents abundance and wealth with its full and abundant petals, the peaches on the lower left drawer and the peach-shaped middle drawer pulls are symbols of longevity, and the top and bottom drawer pulls in the form of a bat are symbols of happiness and good fortune, because the words for bat and happiness are pronounced the same. This is a stunning 19th Century box filled with ancient and meaningful symbolism.

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.

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.

Korean Scholar's Inkstone Box constructed entirely of paulownia wood, a very desirable wood for scholars and collectors because of its unique and beautiful grain and its natural bug repellent qualities. Below the inkstone compartment there is a larger compartment for holding what was called the scholar's four friends: brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. The inkstone box was a Korean scholar's most treasured item. This is a beautiful and fine example. Its simple, quiet beauty was perfect for the scholar's Confucian aesthetic, and will look great with any kind of decor. 12.5 x 8 x 8 inches, 32 x 20 x 20 cm.

19th Century Korean Woman's Comb and Cosmetic Accessory Box (Bitjup) with Beautiful Two-Toned Persimmon Wood Drawers. Boxes with two-toned persimmon wood are highly-desired by collectors. This fine box is a rare and beautiful example with persimmon drawers and lovely metalwork with drawer pulls in the shape of the Heavenly Peach of Immortality attached to plum blossoms (symbol of courage), and bats (symbol of good fortune). 13w x 10.75h x 10.5d inches, 33w x 27.25h x 26.75d cm.