Antique Korean Table Top Chest With Drawers Joseon Dynasty

Description

A small tabletop storage cabinet made from Paulownia wood and lacquered in black and decorated with yellow brass hardware circa … more A small tabletop storage cabinet made from Paulownia wood and lacquered in black and decorated with yellow brass hardware circa 1900s of late Joseon dynasty. With two drawers for storage and a top lid that opens as a large tray with the long lock latch turned into the support. This type of small chest was traditionally used in woman's quarter for holding combs, jewelry and small makeup items, an important piece of the daily life of a lady, The brass fittings with scrolling Yuyi designs were incised with foliate motifs. A fish-form lock with key is present. The piece is possibly from Gyeongsang Province in the Southern tip of the Korean Peninsula.
The chest was purchased from Asia Fine Art in Minneapolis, and it retains the original gallery card with description of estimated age and origin.
To see two similar chests in the collection of the Weisman Art Musuem, see object number 1989.7.35 and 1989.7.36. less