Kitchen chest, Chosôn dynasty, 1800-1900, pine and zelkova wood

Three-tier kitchen cabinet, framed in pine with many small zelkova (elm) panels dividing the main surfaces, it is composed of a single-level chest on top of a two-tier chest. A central door with iron hinges and lock fittings gives access to each section, all of which have bases. The cabinet stands on short legs, and there are plain aprons below the front and sides of the botton tier. On the top level, a pair of drawers veneered in zelkova surmounts the door section.

This kitchen cabinet was used to store utensils and foods. This excellent piece of furniture is a typical kitchen cabinet from Gyeonggi-do Province, with a pine wood frame and zelkova wood panels. The centre panels on the front and sides are connected to the wooden frame by mortise and tenon joints. The metal fittings are made of wrought iron, but the lock was recently manufactured.

This kitchen chest could have been found in the food storage area of a well-to-do household. Purchased from Christies, London, Chinese and Korean Works of Art, 10-11 April 1984, Lot 354.

This is a three-tier kitchen cabinet, framed in pine with small zelkova panels dividing the main surfaces. It is composed of a single-level chest on top of a two-tier chest. A central door with iron hinges and lock fittings gives access to each section, all of which have bases. The cabinet stands on short legs, and there are plain aprons below the front and sides of the botton tier. On the top level, a pair of drawers veneered in zelkova surmounts the door section. Zelkova is a hardwood known for its dramatic grain patterns. Both it and pine are grown in Korea.

FE.10:1 to 9-1984