Catalog (46)

Korean 19th Century Sansin the Mountain Spirit Painting with a Fantastic Tiger. Korean tiger folk paintings are revered throughout the art world for their unique depictions of the tiger's humor and charm. You will not find a better example of the beloved Korean folk tiger than the fantastic fellow depicted here. He is exploding with personality. In a country where most of the land is covered by mountains, it makes sense that Sansin the Mountain God is the most revered of Korea's native deities. He is the god most often appealed to for fertility, prosperity, and longevity. This Sansin is a great example of the open-minded syncretism of ancient Korean belief. He is a deity of purely Korean Shamanist origin, crowned by a Confucian hat, carrying Daoist mythical bullocho longevity plants in a basket on his staff, while wearing a Buddhist robe. For his scepter, he holds a wood staff as gnarled as the pine tree under which he sits. The pine tree is a symbol of longevity and tenacity. The feather fan he holds in his left hand is used to control the wind spirit and other nature spirits. Sansin paintings can be found in the Sansin-gak shrine of Korean Buddhist temples. Sansin's tiger is the animal lord of the mountain and the messenger for Sansin and the enforcer of his will. Ink and colors on silk. Frame: 36 x 34 inches, 91.5 x 86.5 cm. Painting: 27.5 x 25.5 inches, 70 x 65 cm.

Korean Village Life, a Beautiful Oil Painting by Won Hyeok Pak, 1966, original frame. It comes with a 1966 letter to one of his patrons, where he explains his artistic ideas. He includes a photo of this painting with the letter, and a photo of a portrait he created of the patron, and photos of some of his other paintings. A rare and gorgeous piece of mid-20th Century Korean art and history. It captures a way of life and type of dress at a time that it was at its very end. Frame: 20 x 16 inches, 51 x 41 cm; 15 x 11, 38 x 28 cm.

Rare Work of Munjado Calligraphy by Kim Ki Chang aka Unbo (1913 - 2001). Despite being deaf, Unbo was one of Korea's most beloved 20th Century artists. His works are now sought by museums and collectors internationally. In this original signed offset print, Unbo gives us a dynamic rendering of the ancient style of figurative munjado calligraphy. The bird leaping out of the center character adds powerful life to the piece. 25.5 x 19.5 inches, 65 x 50 cm.

Standing Dharma by Korea's Renowned Buddhist Monk Painter Seok Jeong Sunim (1928-2012). This is an excellent example of why Seok Jeong is widely regarded as Korea's master of Zen Buddhist art. Dharma's body and robe is rendered in just four powerful and inspired brushstrokes. The calligraphy here is also masterful. Ink on paper. Mounted on a beautiful silk scroll. Silk Mount: 77.5 x 18 inches, 197 x 45.5 cm; Painting: 50 x 13 inches, 127 x 33 cm. The recent exhibition of Seok Jeong 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, Seok Jeong Sunim's works of similar size and quality sold for multiples of the prices we are asking here. The fourth photo here shows a wall label from that exhibition with a price of $3500 for a similar Dharma painting. That painting is half the size of the Seok Jeong painting we are offering here.

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.

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. 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 that it was Kim Eung Won aka Soho (1855-1921) who was painting many of the paintings for which 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. Ink on paper. Frame: 60.75 x 18.5 inches, 154 x 47 cm; Painting: 49 x 13 inches, 124.5 x 33 cm. (A much smaller Daewongun painting sold at Christie's for $12,500 on March 18, 2014).

Very Large, Nearly Five-Feet-Wide Mountain and Waterfall by Kim Ki Chang aka Unbo (1913 - 2001) in it's original stunning frame. Despite being deaf, Unbo was one of Korea's most beloved 20th Century artists. His works are now sought by museums and collectors internationally. In this original and very large signed lithograph, Unbo gives us an inspiring depiction of blue-green mountains with a mountaintop lake and waterfall. Frame: 56.25 x 38.5 inches, 143 x 98 cm; Image: 44 x 26.5 inches, 111.5 x 67 cm.

Very Rare Carving and Painting of Orchids and Calligraphy on Zelkova Wood by Royal Korean Court Artist Kim Gyu Jin (1868 - 1933). 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. Kim was a founding member of Korea's highly influential and prestigious Calligraphy and Painting Association (Seohwa Hyeophoe) in 1918. His textbooks became canon in art studies in Korea. Kim Gyu Jin's works are in the collections of the world's biggest museums, including the Metropolitan Museum and the British Museum. This is the only example, outside of Korea, of a carving and painting on wood by the renowned master. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a collector with a keen eye. The wood itself is gorgeous. It is a fine zelkova with a striking wavy grain. There is no question Kim Gyu Jin chose this particular piece of wood for its beauty. Orchids are an ancient Korean symbol of purity, modesty, and virtue. It is a favorite subject of painters over the centuries, and talented painters of orchids were and still are held in the highest regard. This painting on wood comes ready to hang, with the original metal floral hooks and a lovely knotted rope still attached on the back. 21 x 10 inches, 53 x 25 cm.

Rare Two-sided Carved Image and Calligraphy on Light Zelkova Wood by the renowned Lee Nam Ho (1908-2001). The calligraphy translates to "The Way of Zen". The exotic zelkova wood itself is a work of art, with its luxurious grain and vigorous form. Lee Nam Ho has shaped the wood into a striking work of art adorned with strong and expressive calligraphy strokes on one side, and a stunning image of a man in traditional attire and the mythical divine Girin beast. A contemplative and rich work of art. You will not find another like it. 24 x 18 inches, 61 x 45.5 cm. Ready-to-hang with an iron hook and ring already installed on the top. This will display nicely and make a beautiful statement in the home or office.

Rare Carved and Painted Calligraphy on Dark Zelkova Wood by the renowned Lee Nam Ho (1908-2001). The calligraphy translates to "May your happiness flow like a river." The exotic zelkova wood itself is a work of art, with its luxurious grain and vigorous form. Lee Nam Ho has shaped the wood into a striking work of art adorned with strong and expressive calligraphy strokes. A deep and rich work of art. One-of-a-kind. 19 x 19 inches, 48 x 48 cm. Ready-to-hang with hooks and rope already installed on the back. This will display beautifully and make a powerful statement in the home or office.

Peony Fan Painting by Jeon Yeong Suk aka Yeo Cheong (1960 - ). The peony is an ancient symbol of prosperity. 21 x 6.5 inches, 53.5 x 16.5 cm. This, along with our Stock Numbers 1318 and 1319, is part of a set of three fan flower paintings by Jeon Yeong Suk.

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.

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.

Antique Korean Dragon Painting Exploding with Life and Personality, Chasing the Magic Pearl of Immortality. Each Korean dragon painting has a unique personality. This fine and dynamic example is a marvelous rendering of Korea's most beloved ancient deity, the dragon rain god who brings both rain and good fortune. His face is delightful and his body writhes with energy, as he chases through the sky after the red flaming jewel of transcendent wisdom, symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge. Because he brings rain, which gives life and growth to all living things, the dragon is a symbol of creation, growth, and fertility. Therefore, the dragon god was the most important deity in the old agrarian Korean society. When Koreans prayed to the mighty dragon for rain and blessings, this is the type of dragon to which they hoped to be praying. This is truly Korean folk art at it's very best! Ink and colors on paper. Newly and Beautifully Framed and Silk-Mounted. Frame: 37 x 28 inches, 94 x 71 cm; Painting: 28 x 19.5 inches, 71 x 49.5 cm.

Geese and Reeds Painting (Noando) by Yang Ki Hun aka Seokyeon (1843-1897) from Pyeongyang. Yang Ki Hun's signature 'boneless' style (painting without outlines, using ink washes) beautifully captures light and shade. The literal meaning of 'noando' is reed and geese painting, but it is a play on words, as 'no' means both reed and old, and 'an' means both geese and comfort ('do' means painting). So 'noan' can mean 'reed and geese' or 'old comfort', and so a painting of geese and reeds symbolized a wish for a comfortable and peaceful old age. This particular painting has further meaning because it depicts a pair of geese. Geese were believed to mate for life, so this painting symbolizes eternal love, and the wish for a couple to grow old together in peace and comfort. Yang Ki Hun was a member of the Royal Academy of Painting in the late 19th Century, toward the end of the Joseon Dynasty. He made a living by painting for the king and his court, and also by selling his paintings in Pyeongyang. He was the most well-known of the provincial painters who, because of the increase in the economic power of the provinces in the late 19th Century, and the accompanying demand for paintings, were able to make or supplement income by selling their paintings locally. Here are two great quotes from Yang Ki Hun's contemporary, the painter and calligrapher Chi Un Yeong (aka Paekryeon): "Yang Ki Hun's paintings stir up my jealousy because they seem completely freed from all ideas and restraints". And after Seokyeon (Yang Ki Hun) passed away, Chi Un Yeong wrote, "Seokyeon told me that when he stayed on Neungna Island for a few years some time ago, he often saw geese fly in and land on a reed field, so he was able to paint them in a realistic way. His words still linger vividly in my ears. I remember playing with him thirty years ago in the Taedong River, and it seems so far away and dream-like." Ink on silk. Silk Mounting: 85.5 x 17.75 inches, 217 x 45 cm; Painting: 52 x 12 inches, 132 x 30.5 cm.

A fine example of a Joseon Dynasty Korean tiger hunting painting, that makes use of the best quality pigments and finest silk, and is rendered with the highest level of artistry and skill, likely by a painter from the royal court. A similar painting recently sold at auction in Korea for $5500. Unique to Korea, almost all Korean hunting paintings depict hunters in Mongolian costume. In spite of the Mongols' brutal occupation of Korea in the 13th Century, Koreans maintained great admiration for Mongolian hunting and equestrian skills. This painting is one of a pair. The other painting is on this website (Stock #1186). Scroll: 50 x 17 inches (127 x 43 cm); Painting: 27 x 13 inches (68.5 x 33 cm).

Painting of Scholar Under Moonlit Plum Blossoms by Park No Soo aka Nam Jeong (1927-2013). Just the first page of a google search reveals both the renown that Park No Soo enjoyed internationally, and the adoration he received locally in Korea. His minimal style and palette is instantly recognizable, and this beautiful, contemplative painting is a fine example of his inimitable, expressive brushwork, from the silvery-blue sliver of a moon, to the unique rendering of orchids and rocks. The orchid is an ancient symbol of virtue, and the rocks symbolize eternity. The combination had great meaning to Korean scholars, as it symbolized eternal devotion to your principles. The plum blossoms are a symbol of courage, because they bloom early, before winter is finished. The Park No Soo Museum opened in 2013 in Seoul's Jongno District, Jongno's first public museum. Park No Soo was a student of Yi Sang Beom, who was a student of An Jung Sik, who was a student of Jang Seung Eop, the very best possible lineage of Korean art royalty. Watercolors on paper. Frame: 23 x 18.5 inches, 58.5 x 47 cm; Painting: 13.5 x 9 inches, 34.25 x 23 cm.