Korean Bandaji Chest 1900 Antique Golden Elm Brass Blanket Chest Tansu Oriental
A gorgeous, dazzling and very rare antique Korean Bandaji chest in lovely antique condition. Made in Korea, likely around 1900, this extremely impressive storage chest makes an outstanding display and statement piece and will add gorgeous golden colouring, superb quality and an aesthetic of refined Oriental grandeur to any interior.
Hailing from Korea’s Chosun dynasty (1392-1910), Bandaji chests were made for aristocracy and more decorative examples such as this one, with stunning brass work detailing and beautifully coloured woods, were used for chests to be kept in the women's domain of the home.
It's amazing to think of the history involved in the crafting of this fine object: not only would this have likely been a dowry chest given by parents to their daughter on her wedding day, but the precise golden Zelkova or Mountain Elm tree would have been chosen by the bride’s father upon her birth, then cut down and carefully stored for years, before being crafted into this fantastic piece upon her betrothment, to be gifted and used by the daughter in her bridehood. It would have originally been used for storing clothing, documents and valuables inside, and bedding on top during the day, hence why it is called a "blanket chest" in English.
As with all Bandaji chests, this features one door running the entire width of the chest and opens from the top down. The interior is adorned in striking red paper with black Korean writing, to match the back. It features jaw-droppingly attractive golden hued brass metalwork and hinges, including five impressively ornate and robust handles, studding and a heavy locking clasp.
Although strikingly impactful, the metalwork is sparingly used on this Bandaji chest to allow for the especially rare and rich golden colouring and beautiful grain patterning of the Zelkova wood to be appreciated, underpinned by the care and craftsmanship of the internal hidden joinery.
Compactly sized, reassuringly heavy and set on sleigh runners for ease of moving, this is one of the most attractive Bandaji chests we’ve seen and is an outstandingly decorative statement piece of the highest quality. It won’t fail to add gorgeous colouring and a fabulous look of bygone Eastern splendour to any setting.
CONDITION
This is in very good antique condition. Structurally sound and sturdy and expertly crafted for aristocracy, it has only minor hard-to-notice signs of its considerable age and use, including to-be-expected marks, knocks and bumps, which only add to its aged appeal. Overall it’s a simply stunning piece in lovely antique condition and if well looked after it should be just and dazzling in another century and more – please see the photos.
MEASUREMENTS
Height – 71.5cm, Width – 101cm, Depth – 41.5cm, Weight – 30kg.
DELIVERY
UK delivery price quoted, collection also available from Warwick. Please CONTACT US FOR INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY QUOTES - the current International delivery quote is just a place-holder.
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