A large wood rice measure from early 20th century Korea, made in a uniquely Korean shape, adapts nicely to a second life as a plant holder. We have also seen these sturdy containers turned over and used as a stool or small table. Originally used to measure rice, it is made of thick planks of zelkova (keyaki) wood fitted together and held in place with black metal bands. The ear-like handles and heavy bottom obviously are hand-hewn. Hangul characters carved into the side indicate the measurement ... Click for details
Woo Jong Taek paints on both sides of the paper, just as Koryo Dynasty monks would do when painting Buddhist paintings hundreds of years ago. Ink and Color on Paper. Frame: 48.5 x 23.5 inches, 123.5 x 59.5 cm; Painting: 41 x 15 inches, 104 x 38 cm. Korean Contemporary Art
Woo Jong Taek paints on both sides of the paper, just as Koryo Dynasty monks would do when painting Buddhist paintings hundreds of years ago. Ink and Acrylic on Paper. 60 x 60 inches, 150 x 150 cm. Korean Contemporary Art
Museum Quality Very Rare and Large late 19th to early 20th Century Three Level Korean Buddhist Temple Chest constructed of exotic zelkova and paulownia wood in Extraordinary Condition. We have attached here a scan of the page from the Portland Museum Korean Collection Catalog that has a photo and description of the chest they have that is the twin of this chest. These chests were used in the kitchens of Buddhist Temples. There only three in existence in America that anyone knows of: this one, th... Click for details
Large 19th Century Bandaji Chest (the largest we've ever had) from Kyonggi Province with beautiful hand wrought iron openwork of floral scrolls and auspicious symbols. The gorgeous ironwork is so thick it is like low relief. Kyonggi Province had the greatest concentration of the type of upper-class homes that would have owned a chest like this, so Kyonggi Bandaji are desired by collectors. But what makes this chest even more special is the inventive modification that was done to the interior. We... Click for details
Museum Quality 19th Century Burlwood Two-Level Chest. The front is a beautiful zelkova burlwood and the sides are paulownia. The hidden parts are pine. Old burlwood chests are rare. In fact, this is only the second burlwood chest that we've ever had, and it is a fine example with a very rich grain. And to make an already rare piece truly unique and valuable, the doors are lined inside with 19th Century talisman prints, that are themselves rare. We could remove these and sell them separately, but... Click for details
Rare and Stunning Antique Mother of Pearl and Black Lacquer Two-Piece Chest. These don't come up often. In fact, it is the first one we have ever had. The factory-made reproductions that you often see cannot come anywhere near the beauty of the artistry and design of an original hand-inlaid piece like this. Take a look at the unique and lovely scenes that adorn six sides. Even the top of the bottom piece has its own unique scene. The beautiful pattern on the front is a turtle shell motif, a symb... Click for details
Rare Old Korean Map with Beautiful Topographic Detail of Korea's many mountain ranges. The list of kings at the bottom ends with Sukjong, whose reign ended in 1720. It also has a list of distances from various places to the capital, and mileage charts of distances between various locations. Map: 42 x 24 inches, 106.5 x 61 cm; Frame: 59 x 30.25 inches, 150 x 77 cm.
Calligraphy by Korean Master Kim Ok Gyoun (1851-1894). The last photo here shows a much shorter work by Kim Ok Gyoun that was estimated at $3000 in a 2004 Korean auction. Kim was the JFK of Korea, in that he was a brilliant young man who earned the highest scores on his public service exams, and he was a government official who was assassinated at a young age because of his progressive politics. This is a lengthy piece for Kim Ok Gyoun, making it a rare find. It is further an important piece bec... Click for details
Beautiful and Rare 19th Century Floral Blue and White Porcelain Bowl with fanciful stylized flowers, clouds and floral scrolls on both the outside and inside of this wonderful bowl. A similar but smaller bowl recently sold in a Korean auction on September 10th for a higher price than we are asking here for this wonderful bowl. 7.5 x 3.5 inches, 19h x 9w cm.
