Storage Chest Korea, Choson period, 1800s zelkova and ash with brass hardware, 34 inches (86.4 cm) high Gift of William H. Downs 1932.10

This style of chest, known as a blanket chest, was actually used for storing clothing, though there would often be blankets folded on top. The Korean name, half-closing chest (bandaji), describes the construction of the chest with its hinged drop-front panel. The elaborate brass decoration includes the auspicious bat, rooster and coin motifs, symbolizing good fortune, dawn, and wealth respectively. Worked into the lock-plate are two Chinese "double happiness" symbols, suggesting that perhaps the chest was part of a wedding dowry. A date corresponding to 1872 is engraved into the brass latch.


To Korea