Korean Two-Level Stacking Chests with Mirrored Persimmon Wood Panels

Known as Ich'ung Nong in Korean, this two-level stacking chests were made from pine in frame, supplement with book-matched persimmon wood panels for the facade and completed with white brass decorative hardware. Adhered to the classic prototype of one-piece Ich'ung Jang with the top plank protruding slightly out (Nong is normally squared off on top), the upper chest features a row of four small drawers on top of the storage unit with the open doors. The lower chest has panels in the same grid and the attached leg support. The compartmented facade showcases persimmon panels with symmetrically matched wood grains, creating an aesthetic beauty of geometry. Based on the configuration and patina. the piece is dated to early 20th century. It has a harmonious balance in design and a rather modern aurora.
The use of book-matched persimmon veneer is a rather unique phenomenon is Korea. The furniture makers take the advantage of the dramatic ink-black grains that occur naturally in the wood and use it to the full advantage of the visual appeal. The abstract pattern is bold and eye-catching, not unlike strokes in calligraphy or veins in the dream stones (Dali Mable), both of which were associated with scholars. With creative book-matching veneer, they can appear minimalistic, almost modern like as seen in this piece. The use of white thin brass is laconic on this piece, with the intention not to compete with the wood grains.
See two similar Ich'ung Jangs in the collection of Weisman Art Museum
Object number1987.22.8a-c Object number1987.22.16a-c.