Korean Scholar's Objects

An elegant Korean serving tray / personal dining table, carved and joined zelkova (keyaki) wood, Joseon Dynasty, mid 19th century, Korea. The elegant and sturdy tray table, known as...

A set of five carved wood print blocks from Korea circa 1900s (late Joseon to early Korean Empire period). Constructed and hand-chiseled from hardwood, the printing blocks were finel...

A charming Korean keyaki (Japanese elm), lacquer, and mother-of-pearl inlaid personal accessory chest for a woman, Joseon Dynasty, early 19th century or earlier, Korea. The small ac...

A six-panel painted folding floor screen from Korea circa early 20th century. This type of screen is called Chaekgeori (books and things) which is quite unique to Korea. It became popular at the end of 18th century favored and encouraged by King Jeongjo (1752-1800) as a political tool to promote social conservatism such as the traditional Confucianism value, especially considered important in a time when waves of new ideology influx came to Korea. Initially commissioned for the royal court, they became increasingly popular with the scholars of noble and affluent households and were used widely in their halls and studies. Early screens were painted with trompe-l’oeil bookcases displaying books and arrays of collectibles. Later, the bookcases were eliminated to focus on the assemblage of neatly stacked books and objects of scholarly pursue. On this screen, the six panels were neatly presented and framed in woven brocade borders. Among the stacked volumes, one can find many fine porcelain vases with flowers, potted orchids, pen holders with brush pens and scroll paintings, incense burner, ink stone, teapot, fan with ink painting, vessels of fruits, exotic plants such as lotus, plumeria and even a pair of glasses. It feels like a pleasant visual measure hunting for the viewers. Several words in Chinese found their way into the picture as well, including filial (xiao), longevity (shou) and luck (fu). The painting was done in a meticulous way with no details overlooked and also with a rather western still-life dimensional perspective. In a rather unusual maximal but also minimalistic way, the screen exudes a historical charm with a folky flair but appears modern at the same time. Each panel is 17.5"w by 70.2"h. For general information on the subject see reference: Chaekgeori the Power and Pleasure of Possessions in Korean Painted Screens...

A ceramic stem bowl with high cylindrical pedestal foot in white glaze from Korea, circa 18 centuries of late Joseon Dynasty. By shape, this piece appears to be a ceremonial vessel t...

An antique Korean ritual incense burner circa 19th century, late Joseon dynasty. It was made in Bunwon Kiln in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Do, near Seoul. The ceramic container has a thickly b...

A small Korean water dropper in rectangular form with beveled edges, circa early 19th century of the Joseon Dynasty. The milky white porcelain pie...

A small Korean ceramic water dropper in square form circa 19th century late Joseon Dynasty. It features an underglaze blue painting of a full cluster of ...

A ceramic dish with high cylindrical foot in white glaze with a cobalt blue underglaze inscription from Korea, circa 18-19th century Joseon Dynasty. This is a classic ceremonial vess...

A small Korean ceramic water dropper in square form on four corner feet, circa 19th century late Joseon Dynasty. The piece features an underglaze blue pa...

A small ceramic stemmed dish with high cylindrical foot in white glaze with a cobalt blue underglaze inscription in the center from Korea, circa 18-19th cent...

A lovely Korean ceramic water dropper in the form of a sitting dog circa 19th century late Joseon Dynasty. The charming animal form features underglaze blue paint outlining the furs ...

A fine porcelain water dropper from Korea circa 19th century of the late Joseon Dynasty. Water dropper is one of the essential scholar objects in the Confucius Joseon society where ink calligraphy was considered an important cultivation of an educated man. The water dropper is a small contained made to drop the water onto the ink stone to grind the ink stick for writing. These miniature objects were made in various forms as little wonders as a desktop accessory for the Scholar's study. The water dropper on offer was made of porcelain and covered in a grey celadon glaze. It was molded in the form of a beach with finely sculpted stalk and leaves. A slight red was dotted on the two openings. The surface also has a carved grape or pomegranate motifs under the glaze. There is some slightly running of the celadon glaze on top. The base has residues of kiln grits. Although the peach form was perhaps one of the most common ones among the Korean water droppers...

A ceramic dish with high cylindrical foot in white glaze from Korea, circa 19th century Joseon Dynasty. By shape, this piece is most likely a ceremonial vessel that was used to make offerings on the altar. Although without inscription, we can't rule out that it could be a household item for occasions that were less formal. Such as a private shrine in the household. During Joseon dynasty, the social morals were largely centered on the principles of Confucianism that originated from China. Many ritual ceramic wares were produced for rituals and worships on all level of the society. The ware were often modeled after the archaic bronze ware that elevated them from the aesthetic of daily use pieces. High foot dish like this were made in both round and square shape to suite different use but they were all distinguished with the inscription for their exclusive ceremonial purpose. Of elegant form and harmonious proportion, this stem dish...

Old Korean garment brush used for hemp textile as scarce exposed type without covered grip, early 20th century, approx. L 24cm (9.44in), in used conditio...

A Korean blue and white porcelain water dropper in a rare hallowed out doughnut shape from Joseon Dynasty circa 1800s. The octagonal water droppe...

A Korean seal paste box, signed. 4 ½ inches wide by 1 ½ inches tall

A Pair of Wooden Clogs (Namaskin), Korea, Joseon Dynasty, 19th Century with curved tips. Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Dimensions: Height: 12.5cm. Width: 28cm. Depth: ...

A Korean ceramic water dropper in the shape of a mountain from late Joseon Dynasty circa 1850-1900s. The lovely piece takes a shape of a rugged mountain peak with crags and furrows, ...

A ceramic bowl with celadon glaze from Korea, circa 14th century (late Goryeo Dynasty). The particular shape of the bowl suggests that it is likely a "Bo" (Chinese) or "Hattara" (Japanese "Oryoki"). This is a Buddhism term derived from Sanskrit word "patra", which means "vessel that contains just enough". The container was used traditionally by Buddhist monks to ask for alms (donated foods by laymen). The deep volume and the wide opening are conducive to its utility function. The bowl is covered in a jade-color celadon which has very fine and uniform crackles throughout. Upon close inspection of the exterior wall, one can detect a very light brush of white slip circumventing the body. The white slip brushing technique only became popular from 15th century on as a landmark of the Buncheong ceramics...