The Honest Charm of Joseon Folkcraft

In my opinion, calligraphy is harder than ceramics, and ceramics are harder than wooden furniture. So when it comes to entering the world of Native Joseon aesthetics, the best starting point is small wooden pieces—like stationery boxes or inkstone cases. Or perhaps a humble soban (a traditional Korean low table).

These kinds of objects fall into what we usually call folk art. That is, something that exists between art and product—folk between art and product.

The beauty of Korean folk craft lies in its simplicity—in its lack. These weren’t pieces made for royal courts. They were used by ordinary people in daily life. There’s no gold leaf, no extravagant patterns. Just everyday materials, put together with utilitarian intent. But give them 200 years, and they begin to carry a richness—like a stew that’s been simmering forever. That’s the charm of native Joseon artifacts.

The more I see them, the more I fall in love. I truly believe these Joseon-era pieces are one of the most underrated “blue-chip” assets still available today. When you consider their beauty and historical value, the prices almost feel too good to be true.

So I say—may everyone enjoy them freely. That ultra-minimal metalwork on the hardware? It’s no joke.

🍉 Joseon-Era Wooden Box

🍉 295,000 KRW

PS – Currently at the top floor of Shinsegae Main Store’s The Heritage (Luxury Hall 2), there's an exhibit featuring Joseon-era objects alongside works by contemporary artists. It’s pretty striking to see native Joseon pieces displayed in the same space as ultra-luxury brands like Chanel. That contrast… it really says something.

#soobaakvintage

#soobaakfolkart

#koreanantiques #nativejoseon

#joseondynasty #mingei #folkcraft

The Timeless Beauty of Joseon Patchwork Bojagi

Joseon Patchwork Bojagi

Joseon Patchwork Bojagi

Joseon Patchwork Bojagi

Joseon Patchwork Bojagi

Joseon Patchwork Bojagi

Joseon Patchwork Bojagi

Joseon Patchwork Bojagi

patchwork

Among all things native to Joseon, my absolute favorites are bowls and patchwork bojagi. Amidst the countless unassuming pieces, there are those rare, unexpectedly beautiful ones. There's an irony to it—things created with the intention of being beautiful often feel forced, and in the end, they fail to truly be beautiful.

So far, I’ve bought four pieces of patchwork bojagi for Soobaak. Three have found new homes, and this is the last one. Of all the bojagi I’ve had, this is the largest and the one with the deepest sense of originality. When hung on a window where the light filters through, it is simply breathtaking.

In the past, even fabric scraps were cherished. People would gather these remnants and stitch them together by hand, creating patchwork bojagi. I often describe our sensibilities with the word ‘jeong-han-mak’—and I feel like this bojagi embodies that sentiment, each fragment carrying about 20% of that essence.

Just a side note—while the market determines its value, in my heart, Joseon patchwork bojagi remains one of the finest works of art. I only hope it finds a worthy home.

🍉 Native Joseon Original Patchwork Bojagi

🍉 125cm x 131cm🍉 500,000 KRW

🍉 Early 1900s American Quilting Blanket _ Tumbling Blocks

🍉 200cm x 210cm

🍉 995,000 KRW

• Made in USA

#SoobaakVintage

#SoobaakFolkArt

#수박빈티지 #수박포크아트

#수박골동품 #네이티브조선

#JoseonDynasty

Soobaak Folk Art: Native African Mask

The highlight of my recent buying trip to New York was discovering a Native African supplier. While it would be amazing to bring back a full container of goods, that’s beyond Soobaak’s current scale. For now, our selection will include some vintage textiles and curated objects like this mask, carefully filtered through Soobaak’s lens.

Herbie Hancock Head Hunters (1973) album cover

Native African Wooden Mask

Native African Wooden Mask

Native African Wooden Mask

Native African Wooden Mask

Native African Wooden Mask

Native African Wooden Mask

Native African Wooden Mask

I have a heartwarming story from the buying process. I was so captivated by the Native African items that I selected them with reckless enthusiasm—only to realize I was about $1,200 short in cash. I asked the vendor if I could send the remaining amount later from Korea. To my surprise, he agreed without hesitation, trusting me with such a significant amount. I believe this trust stems from the credibility built by my past dealings with other Korean partners. It’s truly gratifying to feel that kind of recognition and trust.

At Soobaak, we like to balance spaces with a mix of products, artworks, and crafts—roughly in a 5:3:2 ratio. This balance keeps the space from feeling too predictable, adds just the right amount of commercial appeal, and creates warmth.

This Native African mask fits perfectly into the craft category. When selecting craft items, I lean towards pieces with a hint of modern DNA rather than something entirely traditional. This allows them to blend seamlessly with the furniture and artworks I already have.

This particular mask was traditionally worn by men during festivals, funerals, or when welcoming esteemed guests. As with many objects of this kind, its symbolism revolves around prosperity and protection. The horns and teeth signify a fierce determination to safeguard their people.

I had seen similar masks during visits to inspiring spaces, so when I spotted this one in New York, I didn’t hesitate to bring it back. Isn’t it just adorable? I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Thank you, as always, for your support.

🍉 Antique Native African Wooden Mask

🍉 Face only: Width 22.5cm | Height 25cm

🍉 Including horns: Width 22.5cm | Height 40cm

🍉 600,000 KRWFun Fact: A similar piece was auctioned at Sotheby’s in 2008 for $10,755 (approx. 14.5 million KRW).

P.S. The last photo is from a select shop in Osaka.

#SoobaakVintage

#SoobaakFolkArt

#NativeAfrican

#GolibauleMask

#Golibaule