North Korean Bandaji

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

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...

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...

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...

Fine & early 19th century Korean Tansu Nong Bandaji tallboy wedding chests or cabinet made of elmwood featuring ornate brass floral, butterfly, bird and sauwastika accents. The swastika symbol, ? (right-facing or clockwise) or ? (left-facing, counterclockwise, or sauwastika), is an ancient religious icon in the cultures of Eurasia. It is used as a symbol of divinity and spirituality in Indian religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Acquired from Moby Dicks Maritime Antiques in the 1970s. Antique Korean Bandaji chest...