Antique Korean Bandaji Chest Joseon Dynasty

A striking Korean Bandaji with beautiful patina circa 1800s of Joseon Dynasty. Bandaji is known as front-opening chest, and sometimes as wedding chest as it was often offered as part of the dowry. This piece was made in Pyongyang area in now North Korea. Constructed in basswood, which is rather plain and lacks grains, the chest was instead sumptuously decorated with nickel-copper (Paktong) plates, stripes and studs. Covering nearly the entire front of the cabinet, they metal plates were placed geometrically with symmetry. The surface of the plates was etched with symbols of longevity and happiness such as pines, peonies, crane, magpies perched on the rocks. On the large lock plate, there are two Chinese words "Fu" and "Shou" meaning "Fortunate" and "Longevity", indicating that the piece was probably made for a wedding. The front door drops to reveal a row of three small drawers (only one remained) and a large storage space used for beddings and blankets traditionally. Normally the interior would be covered with rice paper, now only the base is covered by a sheet of rice paper (a replacement at some point). The chest has two iron handles on the side and supported by a base with conforming decorative metal plates.
Examining the piece, it is evident that it is in its original form with all metal pieces intact. It was probably taken from North to South Korean before it travelled with the owner to America. It is an antique piece that visually shows deep patina with evidence of being used. But in our opinion, that is where the beauty lies. It presents with a strong sense of history. A piece that tells stories.
Among the collection of the Korean furniture, the largest in the world, in Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota, there is a nearly identical Bandaji (shown in the last picture; item no.1987.22.47). The placement of all the metal plates and the detailed decoration on the plates are very much comparable. It is likely that they share a very similar if not the same origin and maker.