Oonoya Butsudan Furniture

Wooden armchair covered with ropes by the Véronique de Soultrait workshop. Seat cushion upholstered in natural fabric by CMO. Kidney wedge embroidered by the Maison Duchénoy. All man...

A Korean medicine or apothecary chest with curved leg support circa the first quarter of the 20th century. Known as Yakchang in Korea, the chest was used to sort and store herb medicines in its many small drawers. The prototype was originated in China, but this piece is distinctively Korean because of the classic style of the brass hardware. the configuration of the storage space in the lower part, the shape of the leg support and the wood paneling details. The upper part features thirty-six drawers with divided in six rows, each with a brass pull ring and two herb names in Hanja, carved and gilt. The lower part has a bi-door panels open to a storage compartment, which is flanked by four more drawers. Closer examination of the construction reveals that the frame and the drawers were made from Paulownia wood, which has an insect-repelling quality. The frame was painted and lacquered dark while the drawers remained natural. The front panels of the drawers and the doors were all made from Zelkova wood, showcasing its lovely linear dark grains. The interiors of the drawers are very clean and free of odor (have not been extensively used to store medicine). To compare with another Medicine Chest, see illustration on page 47 in "Korean Antique Furniture...

An unusual large Chinese altar table in hardwood, with simple straight legs and plank top, with an open apron. Would make a great dining table if r...

A two-tier stacking storage cabinet on comforting stand, known as Nong in Korean, circa early 20th century (end of Joseon to Korean Empire Period). Each cabinet is fitted with a pair of paneled doors opening in the center to ample storage. The upper cabinet also has a row of four small drawers on top. The stacking cabinet directly sit directly on top of the support stand. Constructed in pine frame with exposed finger joints, they were simply finished in black lacquer on top and the sides. The facade of the cabinets, however, showcases meticulously chosen persimmon wood panels. The striking wood veneer with the bold black grains were perfectly matched in mirrored fashion. Visually arresting, the dark wood grains appear like bold strokes on an abstract ink painting. The yellow brass hardware is of relatively smaller sizes with subdued motifs in order not to overtake the beauty of the wood. They consist of drawer pulls, corner brackets, petal-form hinges and larger lock plates with cutout coin design. The interior was stripped clean showing the natural wood and some residues of old lining rice paper. We can trace the Nong cabinet on offer here to the more southern providences of the Korean Peninsula where Persimmon trees grow and were harvested, such as Jeolla Do or Chungcheong Do. The wood was beloved by Korean furniture makers in Yi dynasty and used on eye-catching pieces to emphasize the natural beauty of the wood. Examining the piece, one can see extensive and deep patina incurred from its age and previous use, yet the cabinet remains aesthetically stunning as an antique piece with an unexpected modern flare. For a similar two-tier chest with near identical configuration, size and wood used, see relic no 007182 in the collection of National Folk Museum of Korea in Seoul. The piece is also illustrated on the cover as well as page 46 of the book "Korean Antique...

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...

An antique wood table from Korea from late 19th century (end of Joseon Dynasty). This type of light weight table is called "Soban" in Korean. which means "Small Tray". It was widely used primarily as individual dining table to present and serve foods, but also as small desk, incense burner holder...

Known in Korean as Sabang Takja (Four-Direction Shelf), this cubic etagere consists of four tiers: three open shelves and the lower storage, which is further divided into a row of th...

A small Korean antique box circa late 19th century of Joseon Dynasty. The square form box was constructed with thick hardwood planks on all side (appears to be elm) with a noticeable...

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...

Large Tibetan storage chest with traditional hand painted Dragons Tibet Wood, Iron, Paint 19th century. 27 x 59.5 x 22.5 in./ 69 x 151 x 57 Height on custom display St...

Korean Wedding Bandaji Chest Joseon Dynasty style.A Korean Bandaji chest circa late early to mid 20th century of Joseon Dynasty. Known as drop fr...

A Korean black lacquered wood low table with elaborate inlay works circa late Joseon dynasty (late 19th century to turn of 20th century). The low table, supported by slightly curved ...