Truly Special Ginkgo Mirror Box with Secret Drawers

Korean: Furniture Pre 1900: item #803358
0206

The Kyongdae (Mirror Box) was one of the most prized possessions that a Choson Period new bride brought with her to her husband's household, and one of the most delightful pieces for collectors. It would hold cosmetics, hairpins, combs, trinkets, and in this case, secrets. The mirror is underneath the lid and lifts up, as seen in the second photo here. This is an especially nice example with some very special touches. It is made entirely of ginkgo. The brass work is very nicely done, with styliz... Click for details

Charming Matched Pair of Korean Wedding Gift Boxes

Korean: Furniture Pre 1900: item #803351
0205

Charming Matched Pair of Korean Wedding Gift Boxes of Red and Black Lacquered Wood. The symbols for good fortune and long life artistically adorn the front of the box in black and yellow. 12.75w x 9h x 7d inches, 32.5w x 23h x 18d inches.

Set of Four Korean Wooden Chicken Guardian Figures

Korean: Sculpture Pre 1900: item #803338
0203

Because it was believed that the rooster's morning cry drove away the night's evil spirits, an important talisman to ward off evil spirits was wood-carved roosters and chickens. They are a very important icon in traditional Korean folk art and in Korean tradition in general. The rooster’s comb symbolizes intelligence; traditional officials’ hats are based on the comb. The claws mean strength. The hen and rooster together mean fertility. The rooster was called the 'clock bird' and was sacred to K... Click for details

Humble Korean Scholar's Inkstone Box of Pine

Korean: Furniture Pre 1900: item #803328
0202

Humble Antique Korean Scholar's Inkstone Box of Pine. Really a charming piece with graceful lines. 10.5w x 6.5d x 3h inches, 27w x 16.5d x 7.5h cm.

Rare North Korean Inkstone Box of all Lime Wood

Korean: Furniture Pre 1900: item #803325
0201

The Yonsang (inkstone box) was a Choson Dynasty scholar's most prized possession. One of the top compartments was for the inkstone itself, the other was for ink sticks and a water dropper. The drawer was for brushes and the open tray at the bottom was for rolls of paper. This is a rare and fine North Korean inkstone box constructed entirely of lime wood. 15.75w x 11d x 10.25h inches, 40w x 28d 26h cm.

Rare Korean Shaman's Fan Painting used for Home Rituals

Korean: Paintings Pre 1900: item #803314
0200

This Shaman's Fan Painting is a rare piece that would have been used by the Mudang (Shaman) strictly for rituals conducted in homes. The center figure is the Chesok Buddha, God of the Home, flanked by the Sun and Moon Spirits. Next to them are the Dragon God of the Sea and the Mountain Spirit with a Tiger. The figures on the left are Three Generals, and on the right we see the Shaman holding a ritual fan and Three Scholars alongside her to aid her in the ritual. The Seven Stars of Ursa Major, or... Click for details

Korean Buddhist Painting of Lord of the Dead, Very Rare

Korean: Paintings Pre 1900: item #803236
0199

Korean paintings of fierce deities are rare, so this particularly fine rendition of Yama (Hyonwang) is a great find for the serious collector of Korean art or Buddhist art. Compare it to the Korean painting of Yama in the Museum of Korean Buddhist Art in Seoul. Yama is Lord and Judge of the Dead and Master of Hell. Portraits of Yama are more common in Tibet, so we have included here a Tibetan Yama painting that makes for a fun comparison. Note the classic Korean way of depicting clouds and sea i... Click for details

Rice Cake Press with Good Luck Pattern, Tteoksal

Korean: Folk Art Pre 1900: item #803046
0198

Tteoksal used for pressing patterns with auspicious meanings into rice cakes. They also serve a very nice decorative function when they are hung from a kitchen wall, a popular way of displaying them. 2.75w x 2.5h inches, 7w x 6h cm.

Rice Cake Press with Good Luck Pattern, Tteoksal

Korean: Folk Art Pre 1900: item #803045
0197

Tteoksal used for pressing patterns with auspicious meanings into rice cakes. They also serve a very nice decorative function when they are hung from a kitchen wall, a popular way of displaying them. 4.25d x 2.75w x 2h inches, 11d x 7w x 5h cm.

Rice Cake Press with Good Luck Pattern, Tteoksal

Korean: Folk Art Pre 1900: item #803044
0196

Tteoksal used for pressing patterns with auspicious meanings into rice cakes. They also serve a very nice decorative function when they are hung from a kitchen wall, a popular way of displaying them as evidenced by the hole at the top. 7d x 2w x 2h inches, 18d x 5w x 5h cm.