Najeon Sansu Patterned Three-Tier Chest Bestowed by King Gojong to Be Designated as National Folk Cultural Heritage

Exquisite Late Joseon Najeon Craftsmanship
Distinctive Features of Tongyeong Furniture

Front view of Najeon San-su patterned three-tier chest. Cultural Heritage Administration

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 23rd that the traditional piece of furniture known as the "Najeon Sansu Patterned Three-Tier Chest," which is said to have been bestowed by King Gojong to the American missionary Henry Gerhard Appenzeller (1858?1902), is scheduled to be designated as a National Folk Cultural Heritage.

The Najeon Sansu Patterned Three-Tier Chest is one of the three-tier chests that were considered essential household items prepared for the marriage of royal or upper-class children in the late Joseon period, and it is estimated to have been made in the late 19th century.

Measuring 114.9 cm in width, 54.6 cm in depth, and 180.3 cm in height, this chest features intricate designs of landscapes, figures, characters, flowers, fruits, and tortoiseshell patterns in multicolored mother-of-pearl on a black lacquered surface, adorning both the front and sides. Inside the six doors on the front, there are paintings of fantastical rocks and flowers rendered in bright and vivid colors.

The Najeon Three-Tier Chest exhibits the typical characteristics of traditional furniture from the Tongyeong region in South Gyeongsang Province. The protruding top panel is made short, the entire front structure is crafted in a flat style, and traditional mother-of-pearl techniques such as cutting and pleating are comprehensively applied, making it of high academic value.

Inside the Najeon Sansu Patterned Three-Tier Chest. Cultural Heritage Administration

The Najeon Three-Tier Chest was kept by the Appenzeller family for generations until it was donated in 2022 to the Paichai Academy History Museum by Diane Krom, Appenzeller's great-granddaughter.

Appenzeller entered Joseon in 1885, where he taught English and modern subjects to young people. In 1887, he established the Bethel Chapel (now Jeongdong First Methodist Church) in Jeongdong, Seoul, and contributed to the development of modern education and missionary work in Korea. He died in a ship accident in 1902 while traveling from Incheon to Mokpo.

The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "This is a rare example illustrating the relationship between the imperial family of the Korean Empire in the late 19th century and Western missionaries. Three-tier chests of the same size and style are extremely rare both in Korea and abroad."

The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to finalize the designation as a National Folk Cultural Heritage after a 30-day public notice period and a review by the Cultural Heritage Committee.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.