JANG – 장

Feature image: Jang – Two level chest. Zelkova wood, lacquer, brass fittings. H. 134cm, W. 103cm, D. 47cm. Early 19th century. Collection Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis, Minnesota. USA.

The “Jang” was a type of furniture traditionally used for storing clothes in Korean households. However, due to cost considerations, most modest households opted for the “Bandaji“. As a result, the “Jang” was primarily found in the homes of the nobility.

Towards the end of the 19th century, with the advent of industrialization and an increase in the general population’s wealth, its usage expanded to a broader segment of society. It is believed that the majority of the pieces available on the market today date from the 20th century.

Typically, “Jang” furniture is constructed with one, two, or three levels, each featuring small doors at the center of every level. Each level serves as an open compartment, devoid of drawers or internal divisions. Additionally, there are often four small drawers located at the top, and a decorative stand to elevate it above the heated floor, known as “ondol”.

The construction of the front part of the furniture involves the assembly of panels inserted into frames. Elm was a commonly used wood for the frames, while fruit trees with more decorative grain patterns, such as maple, cherry, and tree roots, were employed for the panels.

The sides, back, and top of the furniture were typically crafted from pine or paulownia wood.

Hinges, used for both reinforcement and decoration, were often made from yellow or white brass. These hinges frequently featured numerous auspicious motifs, especially on furniture intended for women’s quarters.

THE MORIJANG – 머릿장

The morijang was the subject of a post on this website we invite you to consult it at: https://www.koreanantiquefurniture.com/morijang/

ICH’UNG JANG – 이층장

SAMCH’UNG JANG – THREE LEVEL CHEST. 삼층장

At the beginning of the 20th century, towards the end of the Joseon dynasty, furniture became larger. A new design called “Uigori jang” emerged, incorporating one or two levels with wider openings made of folding leaves. (Photo hereunder).

APPENDIX 1: JANG or NONG.

Distinguishing between “Jang” and “Nong” is not always straightforward. Extensive research and furniture identification have led us to the conclusion that “Jang” is typically constructed as a single unit with an extended top, whereas “Nong” consists of two identical stackable components, as illustrated in the drawing below.

A 장 (jang) is a traditional Korean chest made by connecting wooden boards and pillars into a durable, elegant structure. Its design features front and side panels crafted from a single frame, even in multi-layered versions. The term “Jang” first appeared in historical records, such as the 1775 역어유보 (Yeok-eo-yu-bo), which mentions a taller chest.

Evolving from simpler storage solutions like the 반닫이 (bandaji), the jang grew taller over time, transitioning from top-opening lids to side-opening doors. It was made in two or three levels to meet varying storage needs. Craftsmen balanced strength and weight by combining square lumber with thin boards, adding decorative elements like pillars, dividers, and intricate door panels.

The jang was also a status symbol, commonly included in noble dowries for its craftsmanship and cost. Among commoners, its rarity stemmed from its high expense and space requirements, leading to reliance on simpler storage like the bandaji. Some families commissioned skilled carpenters to craft jangs at home, providing materials, covering expenses, and paying in cash or grain.

Structurally, the jang has three parts: body, legs, and top plate. Sizes range from one to three layers. The top plate, typically larger than the body, protrudes beyond the side panels and uses mortise-and-tenon joints with reinforced corners. The body features a front framework of vertical columns and horizontal bars, filled with wooden panels. The saddle-shaped legs, separate from the body, have bat-shaped wind holes and are reinforced with nails and corner plates. Framed doors are preferred over solid boards to prevent warping.

Most surviving jangs date to the 19th century, when they became larger and more elaborate, featuring mother-of-pearl inlay, wood inlay, and lacquer finishes. The 20th century introduced the 의거리장 (Uigori Jang), a large wardrobe with a mirrored upper door and white copper decorations. Today, mother-of-pearl inlay continues, particularly in the Chungmu and Tongyeong regions.

농 (nong) is a small piece of furniture used for storing dishes or clothes. According to the 고려도경 “Goryeodogyeong” (Goryeo period records), woven boxes and baskets were used for weddings, lined with patterned fabric, and often came in sets of large and small sizes.

A nong typically features two levels, mainly for storing clothes, with separate sections unlike a jang. It evolved from a simple box form and was commonly placed in women’s living spaces to store clothes and daily necessities. The design shifted when the opening was moved to the front, making it easier to access.

The size and shape of a nong varied based on family wealth, the amount of stored items, and personal taste. In a two-story nong, off-season clothes were stored on the lower level, while frequently used items were placed on the upper level.

Nong furniture was not often passed down, and when a mother-in-law died, her furniture was typically burned or stored away from the main room. This made nong more sensitive to fashion trends than men’s furniture, which was used in the 사랑방 (sarangbang).

The main difference between jang and nong is that nong has separate levels. A nong consists of a body, legs, and a top plate, though some versions have no legs.

Nongs were built using two methods: the board type, which consists of fastened wooden panels, and the framed type, which uses mortise-and-tenon and miter joints to insert panels into frames. The framed type, common in the later Joseon dynasty, was preferred for its lighter weight and ability to build larger chests.

APPENDIX 2:

“WARDROBE MOSAIC” – 장농 Jangnong.

“THINGS KOREAN” by Lee O-Young and translated by John Holstein.

“We think of the wardrobe as a place to hang our clothes. But it would be more accurate to speak ok Korea’s traditional wardrobe as a place to pile clothes.

In Korea’s wardrobe the clothes are folded and stacked on top of each other.

Each layer has its own special nature. In the summer, the layer way down at the bottom is winter clothing, but after a few months has passed, look again-now the summer clothing is buried down there. And the layer in the middle will hold clothing for the more temperate months. So the strata revolve according to the revolution of the seasons.

The wardrobe does not come in only one size or type. The feature which best distinguishes one wardrobe from another is the number of levels it has. There is the two-shelf wardrobe, the three-shelf wardrobe, and so on.”

Illustrations: A two-shelf wardrobe, a three-shelf wardrobe.