Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21

Antique Korean Wedding Bandaji Chest Pyongyang Joseon Dynasty

About the Item

A striking Korean wedding Bandaji with beautiful original condition and patina circa 19th century of late Joseon Dynasty. Bandaji is known as drop front half-opening chest that was used to store family valuables and beddings. The Bandaji on offer was made in Pyongyang area in old Pyongan Do province in now North Korea. Constructed in pinewood, the chest was sumptuously decorated with white nickel-copper (Paktong) plates, handles, stripes and studs. Covering nearly the entire front of the cabinet, the metal plates were placed with eye-pleasing symmetry. The surface of the four large vertical plates was etched with motifs of "Double-Happiness" (an indication of the wedding occasion) on top under the handle, and four Chinese Hanja characters "Fu" (Fortune), Shou (Longevity), Kang (Health) and Ling (Peace) among the roundels of plum flowers, magpies and pine branches. The large handle on the center as well as the two smaller handles on top were chased with elaborate scrolling peony motifs. The large, raised studs were placed along the edges and bottoms. The front door drops to reveal a row of three small drawers with pulls and a large storage space used for beddings and blankets. The lining papers remain. The chest has iron handle on the side for easy moving and is supported on a well-carved aproned base. The piece appears original with all metal pieces intact. It was probably taken from North to South Korean before it travelled with the owner to America. It is a well-cared antique piece with patina, a piece of strong sense of history and tells stories. In our opinion, that is where the beauty truly lies. Among the collection of the Korean furniture, the largest in the world, in Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota, there is a similar Bandaji (shown in the last picture; item no.1987.22.28). The placement of all the metal plates and the detailed decoration on the plates are very much comparable.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 34 in (86.36 cm)Depth: 18.25 in (46.36 cm)
  • Style:
    Other (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    19th century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Attractive patina with scattered old gouges, nicks and scratches, mostly on top. All metalware appears original with some tarnish and verdigris accumulation in crevices. An old repair on the back edge the side panel. Interior with old paper lining.
  • Seller Location:
    Atlanta, GA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU945044630512

More From This Seller

View All
Antique Korean Bandaji Chest Pyongyang Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking Korean Bandaji with beautiful condition and patina circa 19th century of late Joseon Dynasty. Bandaji is known as drop front half-opening chest that was used to store fami...
Category

Antique 19th Century Korean Other Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Korean Bandaji Chest Pyongyang Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
Bandaji is known as drop front half-opening chest that was used to store family valuables and beddings. The Bandaji on offer was made in Pyongyang region of Pyongan Do (province) in ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Korean Other Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Korean Bandaji Chest Pyongyang Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking Bandaji from Nothern part of the Korean peninsula circa 19th century of late Joseon Dynasty. Bandaji is known as drop front half-opening chest that was used in traditional...
Category

Antique 19th Century Korean Other Furniture

Materials

Metal

Fine Antique Korean Wedding Bandaji Chest Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Korean Bandaji Chest circa late 19th century toward the end of Joseon Dynasty from Gyeonggi Do. Bandaji is known as drop front half opening chest and was traditionally used to stor...
Category

Antique 19th Century Korean Other Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Korean Bandaji Chest Pyongan Do Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique Korean wood Bandaji circa 19th century of Joseon Dynasty. Relatively rare, this Bandaji was likely from the southern part of the Pyongan province near Hwanghae province (i...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Korean Other Furniture

Materials

Metal

Fine Antique Korean Bandaji Chest Gangwha Island Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare Korean Bandaji Chest circa late 19th century (toward the end of Joseon Dynasty) from Gangwha Island off the coast of Gyeonggi Do (close to Seoul). The island is located in the...
Category

Antique 19th Century Korean Other Furniture

Materials

Iron

You May Also Like

Korean Wedding Bandaji Chest Joseon Dynasty style
Located in Buffalo, NY
Korean Wedding Bandaji Chest Joseon Dynasty style.A Korean Bandaji chest circa late early to mid 20th century of Joseon Dynasty. Known as drop fr...
Category

Vintage 1940s Korean Other Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Korean Joseon Dynasty Zelkova & Brass Bandaji Tansu Chest Trunk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Korean Bandaji chest or trunk featuring Zelkova elm frame with brass accents. The Korean name bandaji (literally meaning "half clo...
Category

Antique 19th Century Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Korean Joseon Dynasty Zelkova & Brass Bandaji Tansu Trunk Chest on Stand
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Korean Bandaji chest on stand or trunk featuring Zelkova elm frame with brass accents. The Korean name bandaji (literally meaning ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Korean Elm Bandaji Tansu Scholars Chest Wedding Cabinet Armoire 51"
Located in Dayton, OH
20th Century Korean Tansu Nong Bandaji tallboy wedding chests / cabinet / armoire made of elmwood featuring a two tone wood grain and brass hardware. Korean Bandaji chest or trunk f...
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Brass

Korean Wedding Chest, c. 1920
Located in Chicago, IL
This lacquered wedding chest dates to the early 20th century and was likely originally used as a bridewealth chest during a traditional Korean wedding ceremony. The exterior is finished with red and black lacquer and decorated with two round medallions conveying blessings of luck (?) and longevity (?). The medallions are surrounded by raised decoration resembling folk paper-cuts in the shape of floral wreaths and phoenixes. The chest opens from the top, secured with a brass lock plate in the form of a butterfly, a traditional symbol of a life of prosperity and joy. Vintage newsprint...
Category

Early 20th Century Korean Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Brass

Korean Wedding Chest, c. 1920
Located in Chicago, IL
This lacquered wedding chest dates to the early 20th century and was likely originally used as a bridewealth chest during a traditional Korean wedding ceremony. The exterior is finished with red and black lacquer and decorated with two round medallions conveying blessings of luck and longevity. The chest opens from the top, secured with a brass lock plate in the form of a butterfly, a traditional symbol of a life of prosperity and joy. Vintage newsprint...
Category

Early 20th Century Korean Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Brass

Recently Viewed

View All