A Tiny Koryo Gilt Bronze Guanyin Charm (Guanseum)

Korean: Metalwork Pre 1492: item #962486

Shown here, greatly enlarged, is a tiny gilt bronze Korean charm of Guanyin from the Koryo (Goryeo) Dynasty (A.D. 918-1392). Guanyin (Gwanseum / Gwan-eum) is here depicted carrying her familiar bottle of holy water (“Kan Lo”), secured to her waist with a loosely braided rope. The textile of her garment is indicated with cross-hatching at front and back. A short, tube-like cylinder (partially lost) corresponding to the figure’s right arm functioned as a channel to thread this tiny charm. Dime... Click for details

A Koryo Dynasty Silver Spoon and Chopsticks

Korean: Metalwork Pre 1492: item #921060

Early to mid Koryo Dynasty (932-1392). Korean spoons of the early Silla Dynasty are indistinguishable from their Chinese prototypes and may have actually been imported; however, Korean spoons by the Koryo Dynasty had already assumed a unique form not seen in China or Japan. Early- and Mid- Koryo period spoons have elongated handles with an elegant curve and an elliptical or leaf-shaped reservoir with a pointed tip. The handles typically end in either a forked (“swallow-tail”) shape or a knob... Click for details

Antique Korean Scholar's Portable Ink Well and Brush

Korean: Metalwork Pre 1900: item #917397
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Rare Choson Period Korean Scholar's Portable Ink Well and Brush (Mukho). See Horim Museum's site to see 3 similar mukhos. This one is very special, as it includes the original brush, and is exquisitely carved copper with traces of silver inlay. Please look at the close-up photos here of the key fret pattern (based on ancient pictographs of thunder) on the handle, the pullocho mythical longevity plant on the back of the well, and especially the creative Dragon in Pullocho-Shaped Clouds on the lid... Click for details

Pair of Very Rare Iron Butterfly Candle Sticks

Korean: Metalwork Pre 1900: item #871596
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Pair of Very Rare Iron Butterfly Candle Sticks (Chotdae). The butterfly is a symbol of blissful marriage in Korea. Exquisite and Exceedingly Scarce. 34.5 inches (88cm) tall.

Korean Butterfly Blue Enamel Hair Pin

Korean: Metalwork Pre 1940: item #871219
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Korean Blue Enamel Butterfly Hair Pin, 7.5h x 2.5w inches, 29 x 6.5 cm.

Korean Floral Bouquet Enamel Hair Pin

Korean: Metalwork Pre 1940: item #871218
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Korean Enamel Floral Bouquet Hair Pin. 3.5h x 2.75w inches x 9 x 7 cm.

Korean Floral Enamel Hair Pin

Korean: Metalwork Pre 1940: item #871210
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Korean Enamel Floral Hair Pin, 2h x 1w inches, 5h x 2.5w cm.

Antique Korean Collar Iron

Korean: Metalwork Pre 1920: item #838634
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Antique Korean Collar Iron, strung up for display as a unique and cultural decoration. 13.5 inches (34cm) long.

Antique Korean Clothes Iron

Korean: Metalwork Pre 1910: item #838633
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Antique Korean Iron for Removing Wrinkles from Clothes. A hot stone would have been placed in the iron and then the iron would be passed over the clothing to remove wrinkles. The pan has a chrysanthemum design, the Korean symbol of prosperity. Strung up for display as a unique decoration. 16 inches (40.5cm) long x 6.5 inches (16.5cm) wide.

Stunning Blue Enamel Woman's Dagger and Chopsticks

Korean: Metalwork Pre 1910: item #838089
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A Rare and Stunning Blue Enamel Eunjangdo, Woman's Dagger and Chopsticks Set beautifully designed with the classic motif of Tigers under Pine Trees, with Butterfly and Bat symbols of good fortune, the Chrysanthemum symbol of prosperity, and the Lotus symbol of purity. Eunjangdo, an ornamental dagger, was worn mostly by women of rank as a chest pendant and a symbol of their social standing. This dagger also served as a tool to save women from personal humiliation or peril, not by attacking an ass... Click for details