An Analysis of Design Elements in Chosun Dynasty Furniture

조선조 가구에 나타난 의장요소의 분석 -단층장, 이층장, 삼층장을 중심으로-

The purpose of this study was to identify the design characteristics of the multi-leveled chest(jang) which was the main furniture of the master bedrom(anbang) in the Chosun Dynasty. The major findings and conclusions were: 1. The front view of the multi-leveled chest were composed of a protruded top panel(kaepan), drawers, folded doors, sectional panels(chwibyok kan and morum kan) and base stand(madae) in general. Variety in the front view found more frequently in single level chests than bi- or tir-level chests. 2. The overall dimensions of each type of chest increased with increase in number of levels, but the height of the sectional parts decreased. That is, the overall proportion of the single level chests were 10 : 9, bi-level chests were 5 : 6, and tri-level chests were 2 : 3. The proportion of 1 : 1, 4 : 5, 1 : 3, 1 : 4, 1 : 5 were found often in the sectional parts such as drawers, doors, chwibyok kans and morum kans. 3. In general, the surface treatments were subtle. Carved or inlayed ornamentation were seldom seen, and most chess were finished with clear lacquer to show the natural wood grain. There were no distinctive characteristics of surface ornamentation characteristic of any one type of chest. 4. The general patterns of the metal ornaments were spade(yowidu), round, bow, rectangular(yakgua), bat and flower shapes. The multi-level chests were decorated with more metal ornament types compared with the single-level chests. 5. In conclusion, there was more variety in all the design elements in the single level chests compared with the other types of chests. The bi-and tri-level chests were quite stylized in composition, size, proportion, surface treatment, and metal ornamentation.