Korean Medicine Chest with Drawers Yakchang

Description

A Korean medicine or apothecary chest with curved leg support circa the first quarter of the 20th century. Known as … more 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 and Accessories" by Mathieu Deprez. less