This pair of painted portraits depicts the newlywed Justice Minister Choi Seok-min (1858-1915) and his wife. The level of photo-like realism in these paintings is astounding. 19th Century portraits of women are exceedingly scarce. This is the only example we have ever seen offered for sale. The documentation pictured here is included with this pair of portraits. Each painting is 49 x 18 inches, 124.5 x 45.5 cm.

A Very Fine 5 Korean Flower/Bird Panel Paintings(花鳥圖)-19th C./ framed and ready for hanging. Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th century. The group of 5 bird and flower paintings are painted on paper and ink and color, each painting painted with different birds and flowers, a paulownia with Phoenix, magnolia with Parrot, pine with Crane and a peony with pheasant. It’s in good condition/some stains, each framed with Plexi glass. It measures 67cm x 37.5cm.

Orchids and Rocks Painting by Kim Eung Won aka Soho (1855-1921). 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. The orchid grows in remote places, but its fragrance spreads over the land, just as the scholar often works in isolation, but through their scholarly and ethical works their influence is felt throughout the land...

Rare and Grand Joseon Dynasty 19th Century Eight-Panel Chaekgeori Still-Life Screen painting on All-Original Mounting. Chaekgeori literally translates to "books and things," and the things are scholar's accoutrements. It is rare to find such an old and important screen on its original silk and wood mounting. They are usually remounted. In fact, the only other 19th century examples you will ever see are all in museums...

Fine, Rare Eight-Panel Painting by Revered Korean Artist Kim Eung Won aka Soho (1855-1921). Similar to the Kim Eung Won screen in the royal Changdeok Palace. 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...

A Very Fine Big/Old Pine Tree by 소림 (小琳) 조석진 (趙錫晋) (1843년~1897)-19th C.: Korea, Joseon dynasty. A large single old pine stem and branched painted in ink and color, on silk, described, signed and two seals “小琳, 趙錫晋. This painting dedicated to Mr. Reid for his birthday gift, 1952. It is in very good condition but has some wears and a crease, it measures 37cm x 130cm painting only, or 48.5cm x 188cm overall.

A Fine/Rare Korean Bird/Flower (花鳥圖) 8 Panel Paintings-19th C.: . Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th century. The paintings removed from a frame. A group of 8 panel of bird and flower paintings are painted on silk, painted in ink and brilliant pholycrome colors, each painting painted with different birds and 4 seasonal flowers. It is in good condition but some darkened and stains with light cracks due to its age, the eight panel paintings removed from frames. It measures 96cm x 46cm...

A Very Fine/Rare Korean 100 Boy 10 Panel Screen-19th C...

A Rare/Fine Korean One of 오방오제위도 (五方五帝位圖) Buddhism Paintings-18th C. This Painting inscribed 동방대호지군-東方大皡之君), Korea, Joseon dynasty, 17th / 18th century. “The painitng is one of 5 (동방대호지군(東方大皡之君),남방연제지군(南方炎帝之君), 서방보필소호지군(西方少皡之君),북방전욱지군(北方？頊之君),중방황제지군(中方黃帝之君).서방소호지군(西方少皡之君) Buddhism paintings”...

Geese and Reeds Painting (Noando) mounted on luxurious gold silk by Yang Ki Hun aka Seokyeon (1843-1897) from Pyeongyang, signed Seokyeon. 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)...

You rarely see 19th Century Korean tiger paintings offered for sale anymore, especially in excellent condition like this one. The last time we had one was 15 years ago, and it will probably be at least that long until have another one to offer. When they do come up in auctions now, they sell for five figures. That's because there is nothing anywhere like Joseon Era Korean tiger folk paintings. Tigers in Korean paintings are not ferocious. They are humorous and full of personality...

This is the only calligraphy by Kim Eung Won aka Soho (1855-1921) we have ever seen offered for sale. His skill was so revered that the prince Daewongun paid Kim Eung Won to paint many of the works for which the prince took credit. Ink on paper. Mount: 73 x 15 inches (185.5 x 38 cm), Calligraphy: 51 x 12 inches (130 x 30 cm).

Geese and Reeds Painting (Noando) on fine silk mounted on luxurious gold silk by Yang Ki Hun aka Seokyeon (1843-1897) from Pyeongyang, signed Seokyeon. 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)...

A Very Fine Korean Bird/Flower Hanging Painting by 심전(心田), 안중식 (安中植) (1861~1919) Korean, late 19th century, hanging scroll/an Original Box with 安中植) written on a label. Painted in ink and color with a duck, sorghum, peonies and camellia flowers on silk, with inscription with poem, signature-心田, two seals, 安中植 and 心田 each painting. It is in very good condition but some it measures 81.5x27.5cm

MINHWA

Refined Minhwa (Korean folk painting / ref. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minhwa), 'Turtles in the lotus pond', originally Joseon Dynasty, 18th-19th century, mounted to hanging scroll, Total: 121.5 x 51.5 cm (47.83 x 20.27in)...

Pair of 19th Century Korean Hunting Paintings. Unique to Korea, hunting paintings always depict hunters in Mongolian attire. Koreans had great admiration for Mongolian archery and equestrian skills. Ink and colors on paper. Frame: 46 x 22 inches (171 x 56 cm), 34 x 16 inches (86 x 41 cm).

The last rare Joseon Dynasty Munjado-Chaekgeori combination screen offered for sale was a decade ago at auction. It will likely be at least that long until you see another, if you ever see one for sale again at all...

Korean antique screen painting in four panels. Painted with scenes of various types of birds and plants. The birds include parrots, doves and sparrows. And the plants include citron, peony, peach and cherry. Rock formations sprout lingzhi mushrooms. Painted in mineral colors on paper.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 36 3/4" high x 59" wide