A lacquered wooden 'Mouri jang' headside chest, Korea, Joseon (Yi) dynasty (1392–1910)
Elm and elm root. With brass hinges and decoration. Width 106. Depth 44 Height 86 cm. Key included.
Renovated and reinforced. Missing parts, veneerdamages, dry cracks, loose parts.
Provenance
From the Stenbeck Collection.
More information
In Korea during the Yi dynasty, there was a strict separation of men and women. And women were not considered of any importance to the family. The most senior male was the supreme ruler, and when the women was waiting for her husband, or whether she was herself alone, the quilts and mattresses were placed on the warm floors of a womans room, where a so called Mouri Jang (head chest) was close, containing clothes, nightwear and other tjhings which the sleeper per haps needed close at hand.
These chests are single story clothes chest, often made with upturned tops and are usually pretty and delicate.