Large Striking Korean Ton-kwe Chest Persimmon Wood Joseon Dynasty

Description

A large Korean top-lid chest on block feet circa late 19th century Joseon Dynasty. Known as coin chest (Ton-Kwe in … more A large Korean top-lid chest on block feet circa late 19th century Joseon Dynasty. Known as coin chest (Ton-Kwe in Korean), this type of chest was originally used for storing money. The larger versions were probably used to store other valuables. They were always made with strong hardwood and heavy-duty cast iron hardware and lock plate for the obvious reason. The chest on offer is a rare and striking example of Ton-Kwe made completely from solid persimmon wood (Kam Namu in Korean). Its most likely origin was from the southern province of the Korean Peninsula, Jeolla do where the trees grow. Rarely used in the west, the hard wood was grown in East Asia and priced for its large linear ebony grains that appears as abstract ink strokes. The chest was fitted with heavy iron hinges, fishtail brackets and lock plates. Their rustic raw texture forms a beautiful contrast with the smooth lacquered wood surface. With its minimalistic rectangular form and the striking dark grains in abstract strokes, it appears strangely modern as an object of art that defies time. The interior retains the paper lining of ink calligraphy, but this was mostly likely from a later period. less