Rare Korean Pakch'on Bandaji Chest Joseon Dynasty

About the Item

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 “Sung Sun I” style Bandaji, the chest is distinctive with the finely pierced ironwork hardware with lace-like design that covers a large portion of the frontal surface. “Sung Sun” is an onomatopoeic word in Korean that represents the sound the wind makes when blowing rapidly through a hole. Constructed in tightly grained red pine wood, the chest has a nearly square form rested on two block feet. The elaborate ironwork hardware is distinct in their large and bold forms with recognizable cut-out design. Unique shapes include the swallow tail hinge in the center and the "Namdaemun" (South Gate) plate underneath. The pull on the front (and also the two on the sides, to a lesser extent) is unusually large and almost square in form. There is no lock. The interior is rather clean and lined with a thin rice paper. Purchased in South Korea circa 1980s, the piece was in an American collection since. It has an insurance appraisal from Sotheby's from 1997. Examining the piece, it is evident that it is in its original form and shows a nice patina incurred in its long life. It was probably taken from North to South Korean during the war and was sold on the antique market. Such story-telling piece presents with a strong sense of history and cultural importance. 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 nearly identical Bandaji. It is illustrated on plate 31 on page 51 in the book "Traditional Korean Furniture" by Edward Reynolds Wright and Man Sill Pai. Another nearly identical Bandaji is illustrated on page 75 of "Korean Chests Treasures of the Yi Dynasty" by Wickman. Another similar Pakchon Bandaji is held in the collection of Minneapolis Musuem of Art, Accession Number2000.269.3.

Dimensions:

Height: 35 in (88.9 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 cm)Depth: 17 in (43.18 cm)

Style:

Other (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Metal,Wood

Place of Origin:

Korea

Period:

Late 19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

19th century

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. Fine antique condition with nice patina from use and age, some wood hair lines, old marks, scratches and small bumps on the edges as expected. No lock.

Seller Location:

Atlanta, GA

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU945038579692

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