Detail

`A special stamp on traditional Korean culture has been issued to demonstrate the wisdom and aesthetic sensitivity of our ancestors by showcasing utensils they used in their daily lives. Introduced in the fourth series is soban, a small portable wooden dining table. The soban featured in the stamps are preserved at Ewha Womans University Museum. Gujok-ban - 19th century. 28.7cm in height. 39.5cm in diameter. Gujok-ban is a table with legs bent inward like those of dogs. The top of this round, dog-legged table is made of zelkova wood sculpted with the Chinese character 壽, denoting longevity, as well as Cheondo, a mystical peach that is said to grow in Heaven, and a crane, another symbol of longevity. These symbols were applied with thin black lacquer while the edges were painted with reddish lacquer to highlight the symbols. The thick legs of the table without any embellishment gives an impression of masculinity. Gujok-ban, characterized by its functionality, is a unique handicraft enhanced with mother-of-pearl inlay. Punghyeol-ban - 19th century. 27.5cm in height. 43.5cm in diameter. Punghyeol-ban is a multi-purpose tray-cum-table carried on the head which was used to deliver lunch to government offices, to an outdoor meal or just to dine. Also called Beonsang, this table has a hole to enable the carrier to see forward while carrying the food that can also serve as a grip. The hole is sculpted in beautiful lines in the shape of Punghyeol, which are holes in rocks discharging a cool breeze in hot summer months. This table combines functionality and ornate embellishment. Ilju-ban - 19th century. 26.3cm in height. 36.5cm in diameter. The table top of Ilju-ban is supported by a single column and was thus called Dangak-ban (single-column table) or Woedari-soban (one-legged dining table). Ilju-ban was used to serve liquor and simple relishes, a bowl of water, medicine or fruits. The engraved column resembles four strings twined, and is elaborately sculpted with Dangchomun, the shapes of vines, to display balanced aesthetics. Haeju-ban 19th century. 25cm in height. 32.4cm x 28.8cm in width Haeju-ban, made in Haeju in Hwanghae-do province, displays aristocratic charms but is very ornate and thus frail in structure. The table top is made of a single plank of gingko wood and two wooden blocks are sculpted with the character 卍, the Buddhist emblem. The stool connecting these two wood blocks is relatively short in order to impart a sense of simplicity.`