Wood - South Korea - 20th century

Large Korean bandaji, or traditional blanket and storage chest, dating approximately from the late 19th to the early 20th century.

The chest has the characteristic bandaji construction, with a broad hinged panel forming the upper half of the front. When lowered, this panel provides access to a large, undivided storage compartment. Iron carrying handles are fitted to both sides, and the chest stands on short block feet.

The front is exceptionally richly decorated with numerous hand-cut, pierced and riveted iron fittings. The dense, lace-like openwork is characteristic of elaborately decorated Korean furniture from this period. As no documentary provenance is available, the precise regional origin cannot be established.

The decoration includes numerous traditional auspicious motifs, including gourds, birds or bats, fish, tortoises, floral rosettes, circular medallions and architectural or pavilion-shaped elements. Such motifs were traditionally associated with protection, prosperity, happiness and longevity.

The chest retains its impressive central iron locking mechanism, together with a flat metal key or locking tool and decorative tassel. The iron fittings have developed an attractive dark patina.

The chest is in good antique condition. It shows surface wear consistent with its age, including minor scratches and scuffs, patination and oxidation to the ironwork, and a clearly visible lighter worn area on the top. The interior also shows normal traces of use. The photographs form an integral part of the condition description and should be examined carefully.

Material: dark-stained wood, probably linden, with pierced iron fittings
Origin: Korea, exact region unknown
Period: late 19th to early 20th century
Dimensions: approximately 109 × 46 × 88 cm
Weight: approximately [WEIGHT] kg