Large Striking Korean Ton-Kwe Chest Persimmon Wood Joseon Dynasty

A large Korean top-lid chest on block feet circa 19th century of Joseon Dynasty. Known as coin chest (Ton-Kwe in Korean), this type of chest was originally used for storing money. Th...

A Korean top-lid chest on elevated carved legs circa late 19th century of Joseon Dynasty. Known as coin chest (Ton-Kwe in Korean), this type of chest was originally used for storing ...

A striking Korean Bandaji with lots of original 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 now North Korea and was clearly intended as a wedding chest. Constructed in limewood (also known as Lindenwood), which is rather plain and lacks grains, the chest was instead sumptuously decorated with nickel-copper (Paktong or white copper) plates, stripes and studs. Covering nearly the entire front of the cabinet, the metal plates were placed with eye-pleasing symmetry pattern. The top row is centered with a large square lock plate with latch and a heavy fish lock (no key), flanked by a pair of pulls set on plates in longevity mushroom pattern (lingzi). The middle row has a large cloud-form hinge in the center, flanked by three vertical pairs of rectangular hinges. The lower row features a large embossed and chased square plate with a character "Double happiness" in the center, a Hanja character reserved for the wedding ceremony. On both sides, large pair...

A Korean Bandaji chest circa late 19th century of Joseon Dynasty, from Gyeonggi Do (Central to South of Korean Peninsula where Seoul is located), likely Namhansanseong subtype. Known...

A small Korean antique box circa late 19th century of Joseon Dynasty. The square form box was constructed with thick hardwood planks on all side (appears to be elm) with a noticeable...

An antique Korean wood Bandaji circa 19th century from the late Joseon Dynasty. Rarely available, this Bandaji was from Pakchon area in Pyongan Do (in nowadays North Korea). Known as...

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...

Antique Korean Bandaji chest or trunk featuring Zelkova elm frame with brass accents. The Korean name bandaji (literally meaning "half clo...

Antique Korean Bandaji chest on stand or trunk featuring Zelkova elm frame with brass accents. The Korean name bandaji (literally meaning ...

This is a Korean large wood cabinet/chest. The cabinet has two drawers at the top with C-shaped iron handles and below it, there are 3 compartments....

Korean drop front chest. The original dark lacquer has mellowed to an attractive orange and red. Covered with black metal strapping and decorated metal.

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...