This mini table, or Soban, is made of ginko wood and lacquer. It features a peony flower pattern which expresses hope for wealth and glory. This table is popular in north part of Korea. Overall, fifteen layers of black lacquer were applied.
Length 50 cm
Width 37 cm
Height 29.5 cm
© Jonggu Lee
© Jonggu Lee
© Jonggu Lee
© Jonggu Lee
Jonggu Lee
- Cabinetmaker
- Seoul, South Korea
- Master Artisan
Contact
Korean, English
Hours:
By appointment only
By appointment only
Phone:
+82 1097836006
+82 1097836006
© Jonggu Lee
The art of waiting
- • Jonggu was a photographer before he turned to woodwork
- • He was taught by a Soban master and a lacquerware master
- • He finds joy in repetition
Jonggu Lee was a photographer for 20 years. He majored in photography and he applied it to woodworking where he built up his sense of sight. To him touching trees with his hands takes away his stress. When he started working in wood, his experience in photography was useful in the process of understanding proportions. He became acquainted with Soban by chance, but never looked back and is currently in his 13th year of making Soban. There are more than ten rounds of applying sandpaper and lacquer, then repeating the sandpaper. Throughout the process, he develops patience and experiences the art of waiting. Using the traditional method, artist Jonggu Lee makes various types of Soban with hand tools and lacquer finish.
Read the full interviewWorks
Photo: © Jonggu Lee
Moran pattern table
Photo: © Jonggu Lee
Sculpture big round table
This round table in ginko wood and lacquer was inspired by the Bongsudan Jinchando, a national treasure silk painting from 1795 capturing a royal banquet during the Joseon Dynasty. More than 15 layers of red lacquer were applied.
Height 31 cm
Diameter 62 cm
Photo: © Jonggu Lee
Half moon table
This half moon console table is made of ginko wood and ecarlate lacquer. It is carved with traditional Korean patterns.
Length 44 cm
Width 30.8 cm
Height 35.5 cm
Photo: © Jonggu Lee
Three colour round table
Three colour round table is intended as a coffee table and made of ginko wood and lacquer. To create the cylinder bases, the wood was repeatedly dampened with water to make it flexible. The top is a mix of hemp and sticky rice with a lacquer finish.
Height 15 cm
Diameter 52 cm
Photo: © Jonggu Lee
Three Hojokban
Three tables made of ginko wood and lacquer. This traditional type of table is called “Hojokban” in Korea. Each table top is a different colour, and has a different meaning. Yellow represents the ground, the red is for humans and the blue stands for the sky.
Height 21 cm
Diameter 48 cm
Find Jonggu Lee in the itinerary
Seoul: crafts inherited from dynasties
10 locations
With our selection of ceramicists, silversmiths, textile workers and lacquerers, explore how contemporary artisans in Seoul are reimagining craft disciplines and techniques that have been cultivated in Korea for centuries.
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