Catalog (20)

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.

A Very Rare 19th Century Korean Black Lacquered Mother of Pearl Soban (individual dining table), with cranes (symbols of immortality, and eternal love when they are paired, as they are here), pine tree (symbol of longevity), orchids (symbol of purity and modesty), bullocho (the mythical longevity plant) and bamboo (symbol of resilience). There is loss to some of the mother of pearl, but it can be replaced by a Korean artisan. This is reflected in the very low price for this fine, beautiful, and rare piece. We do not restore or refinish our items. We leave it up to the client to decide if they want to do it. 15w x 12d x 9.25h inches, 38w x 30.5d x 23.5h 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.

Small Korean Coin Chest with Old Inscription Inside the Lid. Coin chests (Donkwe) 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. Here's a funny quote from 1898 on Korean money by Mattie Ingold, an American missionary physician who worked in Jeonju: "If Korean money were proportionately as great in value as it is in weight and clumsiness, the Koreans would be a very wealthy people." 18w x 9h x 8d inches, 45.75w x 23h x 20.25d cm.

Old Rustic Korean Coin Chest (Donkwe). 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. Here's a funny quote from 1898 on Korean money by Mattie Ingold, an American missionary physician who worked in Jeonju: "If Korean money were proportionately as great in value as it is in weight and clumsiness, the Koreans would be a very wealthy people." 21w x 11h x 10.5d

The classic yongmok samcheung-jang (Korean zelkova root chest with three levels) is probably the most-widely imitated type of Korean antique chest among the reproductions that are all over the internet. This exquisite and genuine 19th Century Joseon Dynasty yongmok samcheung-jang will surely be the showcase piece in any collection. Yongmok is zelkova root, and literally translates to dragon burlwood, which describes the shapes of dragons that can be seen in the very fancy grain of the zelkova root. This chest is a particularly rare and fine example in exceptionally good condition. If you ever do see an old and fine Korean chest of zelkova, it is always just the panels that are of zelkova, while the frame is pine. This rare chest actually uses zelkova for both the panels and the frame, so that the entire front is zelkova. The effect is quite stunning. The other sides are constructed of a fine wide-grained paulownia wood. The stand is carved in the shape of a bat, an ancient Korean symbol of good fortune, because bat and good fortune share the same pronunciation. Other than the cheaply-made reproductions of these that you see all over the internet (most of which are dishonestly described as antiques and are not even made in Korea), it is unlikely that you will see another genuine Joseon Dynasty Dragon Burlwood Three-Level Chest for sale, other than in Korea, where it will sell for multiples of this price. We receive emails almost weekly from factories in China that sell the reproductions very cheaply. Unlike some other dealers, we have never accepted these offers. There's nothing like the look of rare and exotic zelkova root that has aged for over 100 years. Unlike the reproductions, this genuine article will last for generations and the beauty of the old wood will only deepen and increase with age, making it a fine heirloom for a proud family. 64h x 43w x 20.75d inches, 162.5h x 109w x 52.75d cm.

19th Century Korean Twelve-Sided Tiger Leg (Cabriole Leg) Personal Dining Table (Soban) of Ginkgo Wood from Gyeongsang Province. In Joseon Dynasty Korea, meals were served to individuals in their rooms on these personal dining tables. There is an identical table in the book that is the bible of Korean antique furniture, Traditional Korean Furniture (page 82, photo 89) by my friend and mentor, Man Sill Pai. She elaborates on this type of soban in her book, Dining Tables published by Ewha University Press. She says, "These tiger-legged soban tables (hojok-ban) have strong legs of aggressive lines sharply pinched in at the ankles. The plates were made of a single piece of plank and the legs, with their well-shaped calves and thin ankles, were fixed into unobtrusive aprons. Tiger-legged tables were favored for ritual use in the royal palace." 17.5 inches (44.5 cm) wide x 11 inches (28 cm) tall.

19th Century Korean Twelve-Sided Tiger Leg (Cabriole Leg) Personal Dining Table (Soban) of Zelkova Wood from Gyeongsang Province. In Joseon Dynasty Korea, meals were served to individuals in their rooms on these personal dining tables. There is an identical table in the book that is the bible of Korean antique furniture, Traditional Korean Furniture (page 82, photo 89) by my friend and mentor, Man Sill Pai. She elaborates on this type of soban in her book, Dining Tables published by Ewha University Press. She says, "These tiger-legged soban tables (hojok-ban) have strong legs of aggressive lines sharply pinched in at the ankles. The plates were made of a single piece of plank and the legs, with their well-shaped calves and thin ankles, were fixed into unobtrusive aprons. Tiger-legged tables were favored for ritual use in the royal palace." 15.75 inches (40 cm) wide x 10.5 inches (26.5 cm) tall.

Rare 19th Century Korean Twelve-Sided Tiger Leg (Cabriole Leg) Side-Dish Table (Gyeot-ban) of Zelkova Wood from Gyeonggi Province, used to place tea bowls. The name Seo Myeong is painted on the bottom of the table. There is an identical table from the Ewha Museum collection in the book that is the bible on the subject, Traditional Korean Furniture (page 83, photo 93) and on page 70 in the book, Dining Tables: Korean Traditional Handicrafts, both by my friend and mentor, Man Sill Pai. She writes, "These tiger-legged tables have strong legs of aggressive lines sharply pinched in at the ankles. The plates were made of a single piece of plank and the legs, with their well-shaped calves and thin ankles, were fixed into unobtrusive aprons. Tiger-legged tables were favored for ritual use in the royal palace." 11.75 inches (30 cm) wide x 5.25 inches (13.5 cm) tall.

19th Century Korean Twelve-Sided Tiger Leg (Cabriole Leg) Personal Dining Table (Soban) of Zelkova Wood from Gyeongsang Province. In Joseon Dynasty Korea, meals were served to individuals in their rooms on these personal dining tables. There is an identical table in the book that is the bible of Korean antique furniture, Traditional Korean Furniture (page 82, photo 89) by my friend and mentor, Man Sill Pai. She elaborates on this type of soban in her book, Dining Tables published by Ewha University Press. She says, "These tiger-legged soban tables (hojok-ban) have strong legs of aggressive lines sharply pinched in at the ankles. The plates were made of a single piece of plank and the legs, with their well-shaped calves and thin ankles, were fixed into unobtrusive aprons. Tiger-legged tables were favored for ritual use in the royal palace." 17 inches (43 cm) wide x 10.75 inches (27.5 cm) tall.

19th Century Korean Black Lacquered Mother-Of-Pearl Soban Personal Dining Table in rare excellent condition. Filled with abundant ancient symbolism: The moon, cranes, clouds, and mythical bullocho plant are symbols of longevity; when the cranes are paired like this, they are a symbol of eternal love; the plum blossoms are a symbol of courage because they bloom early, when winter is not quite finished yet; the orchids are are symbol of virtue; and the bamboo is a symbol of wisdom and resilience, because in a strong wind, rather than stubbornly stand firm, which can cause it to break, it wisely bends with the wind. Beautifully carved on all four sides are stylized peonies, ancient symbol of abundance. You are unlikely to find another mother-of-pearl table of this age and quality in this remarkable condition. 14 x 11 x 8.5 inches, 35.5 x 28 x 21.6 cm.

Large Korean 19th Century Zelkova Wood Headside Chest (Meorijang) from Gyeonggi Province. Gyeonggi Headside Chests are especially valued because they are bigger than other headside chests, and the wood work is often well done, as it is on this rich, beautiful chest of fine zelkova wood. An altogether grand and elegant piece. 40.75w x 17.75d x 39h inches, 103.5w x 45d x 99h cm.

19th Century Korean Bandaji chest from Jeolla Province. The beautiful zelkova wood has developed a gorgeous golden hue over the years. The fine metalwork includes rare brass knobs, and ironwork filled with ancient symbolism: the swallowtail hinges are a symbol of beauty, the chrysanthemums are a symbol of plenty or fertility (because of their many petals), and the wan (the wheel of life and symbol of universal peace and harmony) is 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. 38w x 18d x 21.5h inches, 96w x 46d x 55h cm.

Rare 19th Century Korean Buddhist Scholar's Study Desk (Gyeongsang) constructed from fine zelkova wood. The upturned ends are not just aesthetically pleasing, they keep scrolls and other material from rolling off the table. The beautiful cabriolet legs include carved bamboo trunks. These desks were used in Buddhist temples for reading sutras, and came into use in the homes of scholars during the late Joseon Dynasty. 33w x 14.5d x 12.25h inches, 84w x 37d x 31h cm.

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."

Antique Korean Coin Chest, Donkwe. 20h x 32w x 15d, 51h x 81w x 38d 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."

Joseon Dynasty Ton-kwe (Korean Coin Chest). Coin chests are highly prized by collectors, as their purpose required that they be the largest, heaviest, and most well constructed piece of furniture in the home of an aristocrat. Paper money did not exist in Yi Dynasty Korea, and the coins were of very small denominations. They had to be strung together in large quantities to have any worth, so a strong money box was obviously a necessity. This is a very heavy and likely the most impressive authentic antique Korean coin chest you will ever see for sale. This massive and handsome coin chest must have belonged to a very wealthy family. 19.5 x 56 x 29 inches, 49.5 x 142 x 74 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 Sohwangmo, 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.