Rare Antique Joebawi, Korean Woman's Winter Hat of Fur and Silk. This elegant and uniquely Korean hat, with a most beautiful form, would have been worn by a Choson period woman of high-class. You can see such hats in period paintings, and now only on this website, as you will not likely see another for sale. 13 inches (33cm) tall.
Rare Antique Korean Palace Guard's / Soldier's Hat (Chonlip). A striking and rare find. There is a similar example in the Staatliche Museum in Berlin, and there is one in the Rijks Museum voor Volkerkunde in Leiden. You can see both in "The Korean Relics in Western Europe" (published by the Korea Foundation) on page 18 and page 58. 12w x 4h inches, 30w x 10h cm.
Antique Tanggeon Horsehair Cap for a Korean Gentleman Scholar's Top Knot. It was believed that your hair was a gift from your parents, so when a gentleman reached the age of 20, he never cut his hair and kept it in a top knot. The top knot would be put into a cap like this. This cap was then covered by a hat. A Joseon Dynasty gentleman wore a hat at all times, even at home. 6h x 6w inches, 15h x 15w inches.
Old Korean gat with original silk chin straps. Nothing says 'Korean' more than a Gat, a traditional Korean Gentleman Scholar's Hat made of Horsehair. This gat has a nice curvature and sheen. Most gat you will see today are not genuine antiques made of horsehair, but are imitations constructed of wire mesh. You have to see this gat in person to appreciate the fineness of the horsehair weaving. 10.5w x 4.5h inches, 16.5w x 11.5h cm.
Nothing says 'Korean' more than a Gat, a traditional Korean Gentleman Scholar's Hat made of Horsehair. This gat has a nice curvature and silhouette. Most gat you will see today are not genuine antiques made of horsehair, but are imitations constructed of wire mesh. The brim is disconnected in places, but this gat is in otherwise good condition. You have to see it in person to appreciate the fineness of the horsehair weaving. 11.5w x 6h inches, 29w x 15h cm.
Gorgeous, Old and Rare Octagonal Embroidered Lady's Box with Pairs of Lavishly Plumaged Phoenix, Cranes, Ducks on Stylized Waves, Sun, and Pine Trees. The phoenix was long favored by royalty and the aristocracy as a symbol of dignity, elegance, and a prosperous future. Phoenix in pairs, as seen here, symbolize a happy and prosperous marriage. Cranes and ducks mate for life and symbolize eternal love. The sun, waves, and pine trees symbolize long life and eternity. The character in the center mea... Click for details
Fine and Lavishly Embroidered Spoon and Chopstick Case (Sujeohjip). The spoon symbolizes sustenance and life, so it was appropriate for it to be kept in such a beautiful embroidered case full of propitious symbolism. Cranes mate for life, so the pairs of cranes here symbolize eternal love, and their chicks symbolize a happy family, the pine tree that protects them symbolizes long life, the stylized waves and rocks at the bottom are also longevity symbols, the lotus is a symbol of purity, the car... Click for details
Old Korean Yulswepae (Key Ornament) with Lovely Embroidered Symbols of Love and Purity. The day that the Korean housewife would inherit the keys to the house from her mother-in-law would be one of her most proud and happy days, so a beautiful key ornament would be required to adorn her most prized possession, the keys to the gate and all the rooms of the house. The butterfly here is a symbol of marital bliss, the peonies symbolize love and prosperity, the pair of ducks, who mate for life, symbol... Click for details
Old Korean Yulswepae (Key Ornament) with Embroidered Symbols of Love and Purity. The day that the Korean housewife would inherit the keys to the house from her mother-in-law would be one of her most proud and happy days, so a beautiful key ornament would be required to adorn her most prized possession, the keys to the gate and all the rooms of the house. The peonies here symbolize love and prosperity, the pair of ducks, who mate for life, symbolize eternal love, the stylized waves on which the d... Click for details
This finely embroidered bojagi is the oldest bojagi we have ever had. It would have been used as a beautiful way of covering food. The thick paper lining would protect both the food and the cloth. The loop handle on the top would be used to remove the bojagi from the dining table, and could be used to carry the bojagi, after neatly folding it as shown in the second photo here. Peonies, a symbol of prosperity, adorn the center. Azaleas, one of Korea's most beloved flowers, adorn each corner of th... Click for details
