Late 19th Century Traditional Korean Duiju Rice Chest - Solid Wood and Iron Hardware

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Description

A square-form chest from Korea circa end of 19th to early 20th century (End of Joseon to Korean Empire period).
… Read more A square-form chest from Korea circa end of 19th to early 20th century (End of Joseon to Korean Empire period).
Substantial solid-wood construction with beautifully figured grain, thick plank top, and traditional iron locking hardware with Korean auspicious motifs.
The sturdy bin-like piece supported by unadorned block feet was made from solid elm (Zelkova) and pine wood. Traditionally, it was used in the kitchen to store rice or other grains (known as Dwiju in Korean). The simple minimalistic design was to meet its practical vernacular functionality. With time the piece has incurred tremendous characters and patina yet still retains a strong presence with an attractive aesthetic that is full of folky charm. This seemingly humble piece will make a great statement piece that shows off a wabi-sabi and earthy beauty in any modern interior.
The prototype of the rice chest like this one was found in many Korean households during late Joseon period. Near square in form, the solid elmwood walls show off expressive grains. A flip-open top with insert posts opens from the top. Exposed mortise-tenon joints brace the four corners. The iron lock plate features four subtle Buddhism Swastika cutout design. The interior was lined with rice paper per tradition. As an honest antique piece, one can see wonderful and pervasive patina. All these characters make one meditate on the passage of time and wonder about the journey such a piece has undertaken. See less