Korean Metalwork

A fine Korean iron box with intricate silver inlay dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The body of the box is made from iron of a heavy weight although the wear on t...

1900s Antique Korean Brass Fish Locks Set of Four Fish Shaped Lock 7.13 h x 3.5 w x 1.13 d Unrestored original vintage condition See all images for condition.

A bronze bowl shape vessel with fitted lid from Korean dated to 15-16th century (early Joseon Dynasty). In an elegant minimalistic form with thin wall and supported by a high foot ri...

A collection of three bronze bowls from Korean dated to 14-17th century (late Goryeo to early Joseon Dynasty). It consists of an early example with a slight curvy wall and a high foo...

A fine pair of Korean iron box with intricate silver inlays dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The matching circular boxes was most likely used to store tobacco lea...

A fine Korean iron box that was traditionally used to store tobacco leaves dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The box is made from iron and has a heavy weight, although the wears along the edges of the lid and base exposes a bronze metal color underneath, indicating the iron metal may contains a high level of copper. The surface was beautifully decorated with elaborate silver inlay that covers the entire surface except the base. The extraordinary workmanship depicts a pair of deer within the circled square (shape of heaven and earth) and a lined background on the long sides and a crane with spread wings on the shorter sides. Both animals were associated with longevity. Their eyes were highlighted with copper inlay, adding a lively touch to the animation. The lid is centered with a Chinese character "Xi" (Paired-Hui in Korean), which means double happiness. (In Chinese culture, it is often used in a wedding ceremony). The large symbol was set on geometrical background of tightly scrolling diamond pattern surrounded by stylized Ruyi mushroom heads, another floral longevity symbol. Archaic fret cloud band borders the entire perimeters of the lid and the container. Tobacco was introduced to Korean in the first half of the 17th century and gradually gained popularity. When the tobacco was started being smoked in shredded form instead of rolled leaves, there rose the production of the smoking accessories, with some in fine quality as luxury items for the elite. The accoutrement such as this box is a fine example made in late Joseon dynasty, using extensive silver inlay, a technique called "jjoeum-ipsa", in which the silver wires were hammered into the scorched iron surface to create the elaborate design. Similar boxes with variation of shape and motifs are in the collection of several major museums. Compare the box with item Gu 754 in the National Museum of Korea; item 22.78 in MET NYC and M.240:1, 2-1926 in V& A Museum in London. The most closely related example we found is item C232 in the collection of the Museum of East Asian Art...

An antique Korean bronze bottle of bulbous pear form with a long neck and flared open mouth from Goryeo Dynasty (918 AD-1392 AD) circa 12-13th century I...

An attractive Korean Goryeo Dynasty bronze bottle vase with traces of gilding, 11th - 12th century, Korea. The vase of typical form, with a short recessed foot supporting a pear s...

A tall and elegant antique Korean candlestick, circa 1900. The body crafted in two parts, and featuring circular brass reflector with a charming design of butterflies and magnolia...

Highly collectible pair of enameled copper mugs by South Korean artist Kwangho Lee. With their stunning and explosive design, these copper mugs are a ne...

An exquisite pair of Korean bronze pedestal offering bowls, Goryeo Dynasty, 13th-15th century, Korea. The Goryeo bronze bowls of generous proportions, with high sides and an ever so slightly everted rim. The bowls are supported on a pedestal base with a tall stem and wide, splayed ring foot. The bowls plain, save for a single engraved line circumscribing the splayed foot. The bowls with an amazingly rich and complex patina of mottled reddish browns from cuprite and dark greens from malachite. The bronze heavily cleaned to the European taste, removing most of the encrustations. Some areas of the bowls with rougher areas where the accretions could not be removed. Crafted in two parts in the spun bronze technique, then joined. The bowls are unusually thin for bronze, with the lathe lines still visible to the undersides. An unusual form and size for Goryeo period bronze utensils...

A stunningly patinated Korean Goreyo Dynasty ritual bronze bottle vase, 12th-13th century, Korea. The ritual bottle vase of pear shape. The squat body set upon a short foot with ...