Han Furniture

This is a beautiful 19th Century Shop Chest in the Tansu family. It has original wavy glass sliding doors in the upper portion of the cabinet. The lower portion is made up 5 rows o...

A two-tier stacking storage cabinet on comforting stand, known as Nong in Korean, circa early 20th century (end of Joseon to Korean Empire Period). Each cabinet is fitted with a pair of paneled doors opening in the center to ample storage. The upper cabinet also has a row of four small drawers on top. The stacking cabinet directly sit directly on top of the support stand. Constructed in pine frame with exposed finger joints, they were simply finished in black lacquer on top and the sides. The facade of the cabinets, however, showcases meticulously chosen persimmon wood panels. The striking wood veneer with the bold black grains were perfectly matched in mirrored fashion. Visually arresting, the dark wood grains appear like bold strokes on an abstract ink painting. The yellow brass hardware is of relatively smaller sizes with subdued motifs in order not to overtake the beauty of the wood. They consist of drawer pulls, corner brackets, petal-form hinges and larger lock plates with cutout coin design. The interior was stripped clean showing the natural wood and some residues of old lining rice paper. We can trace the Nong cabinet on offer here to the more southern providences of the Korean Peninsula where Persimmon trees grow and were harvested, such as Jeolla Do or Chungcheong Do. The wood was beloved by Korean furniture makers in Yi dynasty and used on eye-catching pieces to emphasize the natural beauty of the wood. Examining the piece, one can see extensive and deep patina incurred from its age and previous use, yet the cabinet remains aesthetically stunning as an antique piece with an unexpected modern flare. For a similar two-tier chest with near identical configuration, size and wood used, see relic no 007182 in the collection of National Folk Museum of Korea in Seoul. The piece is also illustrated on the cover as well as page 46 of the book "Korean Antique...

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 Chinese Qing Dynasty period red lacquered trunk from the 19th century, with round metal hardware. Created in China during the 19th century, this red lacquered trunk features a rect...

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 fine example of a 18th/19th century walnut two part stepback cupboard, its upper case with a molded cornice surmounting two doors with original glass panels, opening to two interio...

A Korean medicine or apothecary chest with curved leg support circa the first quarter of the 20th century. Known as Yakchang in Korea, the chest was used to sort and store herb medicines in its many small drawers. The prototype was originated in China, but this piece is distinctively Korean because of the classic style of the brass hardware. the configuration of the storage space in the lower part, the shape of the leg support and the wood paneling details. The upper part features thirty-six drawers with divided in six rows, each with a brass pull ring and two herb names in Hanja, carved and gilt. The lower part has a bi-door panels open to a storage compartment, which is flanked by four more drawers. Closer examination of the construction reveals that the frame and the drawers were made from Paulownia wood, which has an insect-repelling quality. The frame was painted and lacquered dark while the drawers remained natural. The front panels of the drawers and the doors were all made from Zelkova wood, showcasing its lovely linear dark grains. The interiors of the drawers are very clean and free of odor (have not been extensively used to store medicine). To compare with another Medicine Chest, see illustration on page 47 in "Korean Antique Furniture...

Korean Tansu Elmwood Chest with Iron Hardware, 20th Century This elegant Korean Tansu Bandaji, more commonly known as a tallboy wedding chest or blanket...

A late 19th century large carved cabinet from Dong Yang city, Zhejiang province, China. This cabinet is a distinct design of cabinets from this region, who are famed for their wood c...

Impressive Asian campaign style cabinet featuring two large front doors that open to reveal a drop down writing desk and fitted with numerous storage drawers. Adorned with opulent brass hardware, hinges, and pulls. Rare Tansu...

A beautiful example of a late 19th century Korean elmwood cabinet with brass mounts, four small fitted drawers over three sets of fitted banded burl paneled double doors which open t...

An outstanding 19th century American Cherry two piece Corner Cupboard in the original dry varnish surface. This is an exceptionally nice large all original two piece cupboard...