The “Morijang“, 머릿장 in Korean, is a unique piece of furniture found in the Korean furniture collection. It likely emerged during the 18th or early 19th century and is commonly referred to as the headside chest in English. Determining the age of furniture can be a complex process, often hindered by a lack of information […]
INTERESTING LISTING OF KOREAN COLLECTIONS IN AMERICAN MUSEUMS: https://www.museum.go.kr/site/eng/exhiForeignMuseum/list/all WEISMAN ART MUSEUM – Minneapolis, MN The collection includes about 200 examples of Joseon dynasty (1392–1910) furniture, 80 Silla dynasty (668–935 B.C.) stoneware pieces, some 150 folk paintings and wooden bowls and utensils, in addition to other folk arts and crafts. The collection came to the […]
The Chinese character for bat is pronounced the same as the character for good fortune (in Korean, “복” or “폭탄”). This similarity led to bat images being embroidered on pillow ends and incorporated into furniture designs and fittings as a symbol of good fortune. As bats were believed to live for a long time, their […]
To track the evolution of the Korean antique furniture market, we showcase pieces that have been auctioned since 2021. We scour auctions and galleries worldwide, assisting us in our research of historical prices for Korean furniture available in the market. The information accompanying the photos has been provided by the auction houses or galleries. LINKS: […]
At present from a historical point of view, we should call this furniture as furniture of the Northern provinces of Korea because at the time of the “Joseon dynasty”, the country was unified. Korea was separated in two as a result of the war in the middle of the 20th century (1953). Until the late […]
There is not the slightest trace of decoration on the rice chest. Its occasional iron or brass fitting is not meant to make it more attractive, these fittings enhance the chests qualities of gravity and durability. The structure of the rice chest, constructed from solid piece of pine tree, is depicted in bold, straight lines. […]
LE MUSEE GUIMET The largest collection of traditional Korean art is housed in the Guimet Museum, located at 6 Place d’Iéna in Paris. This museum was founded by Émile Guimet (1836-1918), an art collector with a deep passion for Asian cultures. The history of the collection dates back to 1888 when Charles Varat (1842-1893), a […]
This post is the first in a series of articles related to a study of the Korean people through their arts, particularly their furniture. Most of the antique Korean furniture available today is known as “Joseon” furniture. The Joseon dynasty, also transcribed as Chosŏn or Chosun, in Korean: 대조선국, was the last dynastic kingdom of […]
Jeju island 제주도 in Korean , formerly Cheju, is an island off the southern coast of South Korea in the Korea Strait, southwest of Jeolla Do Province. With Gangwha in the Gyeonggi Do province, they are the only two islands were furniture with its own specific design was produced. The typical Jeju Bandaji is usually […]
Korean wedding boxes, known as “Ham” or “Hon-su ham“, are typically characterized by their low and wide dimensions. The average measurements for these boxes are approximately 30cm in height, 60cm in width, and 30cm in depth. The top part of these boxes features a hinged lid at the back, which can be lifted open. The […]