Korean Antique Furniture

Our Korean Antique Furniture collection celebrates the exceptional craftsmanship of traditional Korean cabinetry. Each piece—carefully selected and restored in our Wiltshire workshops—embodies both function and artistry, balancing refined joinery with elegant restraint. Made from native woods such as zelkova, persimmon, and burr elm, these cabinets and chests represent a living tradition of Korean design and symbolism.

Traditional Forms of Korean Furniture

The most iconic form is the Bandaji (반닫이), or blanket chest—used to store bedding and linens within the warm inner rooms of traditional hanok houses. Distinguished by its front-opening lid and decorative ironwork, the Bandaji reflects both practicality and social status. Equally elegant are the Morijang (모리장) and Ich’ung Jang (이층장) cabinets, often created as wedding gifts, featuring butterfly and bat motifs symbolising happiness and longevity.

Other distinctive types include the Tong Kwe (돈궤) or coin chest, designed for merchants to store currency and documents, and the Nong (농) stacking chests—modular units that could be moved easily between rooms. Together, these designs capture the uniquely Korean balance between proportion, purity, and practicality.

Symbolism in Korean Furniture

Traditional Korean furniture often carries rich symbolism expressed through brass mounts, carved panels, and inlaid details. Butterflies and bats represent happiness and long life, while clouds and cranes evoke peace and transcendence. Brass fittings were not merely decorative—they symbolised protection and prosperity, their luminous surfaces reflecting the household’s fortune and harmony.

Craftsmanship & Restoration

Many examples within this collection date from the Joseon Dynasty (조선, 1392–1897) through the early 20th century, when every cabinet and chest was crafted by hand using traditional joinery techniques. Our restoration process preserves these historic details—ensuring each Korean chest and stacking cabinet retains its original integrity while being ready for modern interiors.

For collectors and designers, Korean antique furniture offers a serene dialogue between utility and art—its quiet geometry and subtle sheen pairing beautifully with Japanese Tansu and Chinese furniture within an elegant East Asian aesthetic.