19th Century Korean Scholar Desk Ch'aeksang Joseon Dynasty

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Description

Known as Ch'aeksang or Soan, this small Korean desk was made from zelkova wood (Korean Elm) with secondary pine and … Read more Known as Ch'aeksang or Soan, this small Korean desk was made from zelkova wood (Korean Elm) with secondary pine and supplement with simple brass hardware fittings. The piece is dated circa late 19th to early 20th century (Joseon period). Served primary as a floor desk, it was normally placed in the center of men's study by tradition, therefore known as scholar's table. The low profile was conducive for the user who sat directly on the floor. The piece, taking the form of the prototype sutra desk originally used by the monks in the Buddhism temple to read manuscript, features a top plank with raised edges covered in brass plates. This detail was to prevent the falling off the scrolls from the table. The top displays expressive grains from the elm wood, a poetic touch beloved by the literati. The storage space of the desk consists of a center compartment with opening doors fitted with brass hinges, flanked by four equal-sized drawers with pulls. The multiple spaces help better organize the assortment of scholar items. The desk is raised on carved curvy cariole legs connected by stretches. The brass fittings on the front were kept simple, in keeping with the ideal of humbleness of the Confucius society. As a freestanding table, the back was nicely finished. The brass lock and key are present.
The piece is well preserved with only very minor nicks along the edges and presents with a warm patina.
Reference: For scholar's desk of similar form see F2020.18.6 in the collection of Asian Art Musuem San Francisco and L2022.2.8 in the collection of Brooklyn Musuem. See less