Antique Korean Wedding Bandaji Chest Pyongyang Joseon Dynasty

A striking Korean wedding Bandaji with beautiful original condition and patina circa 19th century of late Joseon Dynasty. Bandaji is known as drop front half-opening chest that was used to store family valuables and beddings. The Bandaji on offer was made in Pyongyang of Pyongan Do province in now North Korea. Constructed in pinewood, the chest was sumptuously decorated with white nickel-copper (Paktong) plates, handles, stripes and studs. Covering nearly the entire front of the cabinet, the metal plates were placed with eye-pleasing symmetry. The surface of the four large vertical plates was etched with motifs of "Double-Happiness" (an indication of the wedding occasion) on top under the handle, and four Chinese Hanja characters "Fu" (Fortune), Shou (Longevity), Kang (Health) and Ling (Peace) among the roundels of plum flowers, magpies and pine branches. The large handle on the center as well as the two smaller handles on top were chased with elaborate scrolling peony motifs. The large, raised studs were placed along the edges and bottoms. The front door drops to reveal a row of three small drawers with pulls and a large storage space used for beddings and blankets. The lining papers remain. The chest has iron handle on the side for easy moving and is supported on a well-carved aproned base.
The piece appears original with all metal pieces intact. It was probably taken from North to South Korean before it travelled with the owner to America. It is a well-cared antique piece with patina, a piece of strong sense of history and tells stories. In our opinion, that is where the beauty truly lies.
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 similar Bandaji (shown in the last picture; item no.1987.22.28). The placement of all the metal plates and the detailed decoration on the plates are very much comparable.