Antique 19th Century Korean Elmwood Moridang (Headside) Chest
Description: An exquisite 19th-century Korean Moridang, or headside chest, traditionally used in the sleeping quarters for storing personal items. This piece is masterfully crafted from elmwood (keyaki), celebrated for its dramatic and figured grain. The front features two swinging doors adorned with traditional brass butterfly hinges and a central character medallion.
A unique discovery lies inside the doors, which are lined with original hand-calligraphed rice paper, adding a layer of scholarly history to the piece. The chest sits atop a complementary black-lacquered "butterfly" or "swallowtail" base, typical of Joseon-style furniture.
Condition: Fair to Good / Antique. The exterior shows significant character-adding wear, including some loss to the paper/veneer at the top left edge. The interior calligraphy remains remarkably legible with some expected foxing. The base is sturdy and in good condition.
Size: 29” W x 13.5” D x 25” H
Weight: Approx. 45 lbs
+Chest){kind=link}