Mid 19th Century Korean Wedding Bandaji Chest Joseon Dynasty Original Invoice

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One of the most beautiful Korean Bandajis we have had with original patina circa mid-19th century of late Joseon Dynasty. … Read more One of the most beautiful Korean Bandajis we have had with original patina circa mid-19th century of late Joseon Dynasty. Purchased in Seoul in 1987 and still retains its original hand-written invoice (dated to 1840s). Essentially a Korean drop front half-opening chest, Bandaji was widely used in the household to store family valuables, clothes and beddings. This particular piece on offer was made in Pyongyang area in now North Korea as a wedding chest indicated by the specific auspicious symbols on the metal hardware. Constructed in pearwood, a relatively rare wood type from northern peninsular, which is rather plain and lacks grains but mellowed into a lovely yellow color, the chest was instead sumptuously decorated with nickel-copper (Paktong) plates, hinges, stripes and bosses. Covering much of 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 lock (with key), flanked by a pair of pulls in the bat form (symbol of luck). The middle row has two cloud-form hinges alternate with four large vertical pairs of rectangular hinges. The lower row features a large fish plate (symbol of abundance) flanked by two crane plate (bird of longevity and royalty). Shorter strips and low-relief bosses lined up the side and bottom edges. The large plates were all decorated with chased motifs of auspicious symbols including, a pair of mandarin ducks (symbol of happy marriage and couple mated for life), four Hanji character Fu (fortunate), seasonal flowers and plants: pine, bamboo, plum, chrysanthemum and hibiscus. The front door drops to reveal a large storage space. The chest is supported by a base with conforming decorative metal plates and hoof feet carved with archaic key pattern. The lock and key are present.
Examining the piece, one can clearly see that it is in its original condition with wonderful patina incurred through its long life. The wood, the metal, call displays a beautiful surface that aged by time. It was probably taken from North to South Korean before it travelled with the owner to America. It is an antique piece enhanced by time and with lots of characters, and in our opinion, that is where the beauty truly lies. It presents with a strong sense of history. A piece that tells stories.
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 (shown in the last picture; item no.1987.22.47).
A similar chest is also illustrated on plate 32 on page 52 in the book "Traditional Korean Furniture" by Edward Reynolds Wright and Man Sill Pai. See less