Korean Ich Un Nong Butterfly Cabinet - Ca 1910

This compact, practical, and attractive Korean cabinet dates to circa 1910. This style of cabinet would have been owned by a relatively wealthy family and would have been used for storing seasonal clothes in the women's quarters of the home, specifically the women's inner room (anbang). This traditional form of cabinet is called ich'ung nong (two unit stacked clothing chest) and can be distinguished by the two identical stacking storage units on a stand. 

Its most distinguishing feature is the butterflies are seen throughout the cabinet, a symbol of longevity. There are two handles in the shape of Chinese characters for happiness & long life flanked by bats, a symbol for happiness. 

The construction is from red pine (so namu) and paulownia (odong namu) woods with traditional yellow brass fittings. The chest separates into three parts. As with almost all Korean pieces, it is finished internally with hanji, traditional handmade Korean paper made using the inner bark of the mulberry tree. Its compact stature makes it perfect for smaller rooms or a study.

References:
A similar example can be found in the Mirbeol Folk Museum in South Korea.
For further reading see Korean Furniture: Elegance & Tradition by E R Wright and Man Sill Pai

From Korea

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