Catalog (14)

This is the only calligraphy by Kim Eung Won aka Soho (1855-1921) offered for sale anywhere. His skill was so revered that the prince Daewongun paid Kim Eung Won to paint many of the works for which the prince took credit. Ink on paper. Frame: 48 x 19 inches, 122 x 48 cm. Calligraphy: 37.5 x 13 inches (95 x 33 cm).

Calligraphy by Korea's Most Famous Calligrapher, O Se Chang aka Wichang (1864 - 1953), beautifully framed. Not only is O Se Chang the most renowned calligrapher in the most revered field of art throughout Korean history, his books on calligraphy have become the definitive texts on the subject. He is famous for his works in seal script, as in this example here. O Se Chang's calligraphy is prominently featured in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's exhibition on Korean calligraphy, Beyond Line: The Art of Korean Writing, including his work on loan from the National Museum of Korea. Frame: 64.5 x 19 inches, 164 x 48 cm. Calligraphy: 51.5 x 12.5 inches, 131 x 32 cm.

Rare Calligraphy by the Last Korean Princess Yi Bangja. Calligraphy has been the most revered field of art throughout Korean history. Here she renders in thick, vibrant brushstrokes the characters Ik and Su, which combine to give the meaning of "Peace of Mind means Long Life." Known for her painting and ceramics, this is a rare work of calligraphy created by one of Korea's most revered artists and beloved humanitarians. You now have the rare opportunity to own a beautiful work of art and an important piece of Korean history created by the last member of the royal household to reside in Korea's royal palace. Princess Yi Bangja devoted her entire life to the education of mentally and physically handicapped people, and worked tirelessly to support them. She is the subject of television and stage dramas, operas, movies, and books, including her autobiography, "The World is One." Frame: 25.75 x 16 inches, 65.5 x 40.5 cm. Calligraphy: 18 x 10 inches, 46 x 25.5 cm.

Rare Calligraphy by the Last Korean Princess Yi Bangja. Calligraphy has been the most revered field of art throughout Korean history. Here she renders in dreamy, languorous strokes the character Han, which means Unhurried, or Relaxed. Known for her painting and ceramics, this is a rare work of calligraphy created by one of Korea's most revered artists and beloved humanitarians. You now have the rare opportunity to own a beautiful work of art and an important piece of Korean history created by the last member of the royal household to reside in Korea's royal palace. Princess Yi Bangja devoted her entire life to the education of mentally and physically handicapped people, and worked tirelessly to support them. She is the subject of television and stage dramas, operas, movies, and books, including her autobiography, "The World is One." Frame: 16.5 x 15.5 inches, 42 x 39.5 cm. Calligraphy: 10.5 x 9.5 inches, 26.5 x 24 cm.

Large Artist's Proof of Munjado Calligraphy by the Famous Kim Ki Chang aka Unbo (1913 - 2001). Calligraphy has been the most revered field of art throughout Korean history. Despite being deaf, Unbo was one of Korea's most beloved 20th Century artists. His works are now sought by museums and collectors internationally. This is the original signed AP (Artist's Proof) of this large lithograph, where Unbo gives us a most creative rendering with anthropomorphic figures in the ancient style of figurative munjado calligraphy. 38.5 x 28.5 inches, 98 x 72.5 cm.

Rare Work of Munjado Calligraphy by Kim Ki Chang aka Unbo (1913 - 2001). Calligraphy has been the most revered field of art throughout Korean history. Despite being deaf, Unbo was one of Korea's most beloved 20th Century artists. His works are now sought by museums and collectors internationally. In this original signed offset print, Unbo gives us a dynamic rendering of the ancient style of figurative munjado calligraphy. The bird leaping out of the center character adds powerful life to the piece. 25.5 x 19.5 inches, 65 x 50 cm.

Contemplative calligraphy: Music, Writing, and Books by Lee Nam Ho aka Geum Choo (1908-2001). Lee Nam Ho is renowned as a painter. This is a rare and fine example of his calligraphy. Calligraphy has been the most revered field of art throughout Korean history. 51 x 13.5 inches, 129 x 34 cm.

Meditative calligraphy: Empty Your Heart and Mind by Lee Nam Ho aka Geum Choo (1908-2001). Lee Nam Ho is renowned as a painter. This is a rare and fine example of his calligraphy. Calligraphy has been the most revered field of art throughout Korean history. 26 x 12 inches, 65.5 x 31 cm.

Rare and Important Work of Calligraphy by the man designated in every textbook in the East and West as the Pioneering Father of 20th Century Art in Korea, An Jung Sik (also spelled Ahn Jung Sik), 1861-1919 (pen name Simjeon), calligrapher, scholar, royal court painter (he painted the portraits of the last two kings of Korea), and co-founder of KOrea's first modern art school. Paintings by An Jung Sik are by law not allowed to leave Korea, so they are rare in the West. His works of calligraphy are even more rare. So it is with pride that we offer what may be the only An Jung Sik calligraphy ever offered for sale outside of Korea. Calligraphy is regarded as the highest art form throughout East Asia. An Jung Sik studied calligraphy in China and Korea, and helped establish the Seoul Calligraphy and Fine Arts School in 1911, and co-founded, along with O Se Chang, the Association of Painting and Calligraphy Artists in 1918. Kim Eun Ho, Yi Sang Beom, and Jang Seung Eop are just a few of his students who went on to fame as some of Korea's greatest artists. An Jung Sik himself studied under the man widely regarded as one of the most important 19th Century Korean artists, Jang Seung Eop (pen name Owon). This is a large piece at 61 x 22 inches, 155 x 56 cm. An Jung Sik's calligraphy is currently prominently featured in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's exhibition on Korean calligraphy, Beyond Line: The Art of Korean Writing.

Rare Two-sided Carved Image and Calligraphy on Light Zelkova Wood by the renowned Lee Nam Ho (1908-2001). Calligraphy has been the most revered field of art throughout Korean history. The calligraphy translates to "The Way of Zen". The exotic zelkova wood itself is a work of art, with its luxurious grain and vigorous form. Lee Nam Ho has shaped the wood into a striking work of art adorned with strong and expressive calligraphy strokes on one side, and a stunning image of a man in traditional attire and the mythical divine Girin beast. A contemplative and rich work of art. You will not find another like it. 24 x 18 inches, 61 x 45.5 cm. Ready-to-hang with an iron hook and ring already installed on the top. This will display nicely and make a beautiful statement in the home or office.

Very Rare Calligraphy by Kang Se Hwang aka Pyo Am (1713-1791), artist, calligrapher, art scholar and critic, and one of the most important figures and the most influential scholar-painter of 18th Century Korea. Calligraphy by Kang Se Hwang is so rare that the only other example that we know of in America is a very similar work in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, illustrated on pages 172-173 of the recently published, Pathways to Korean Culture: Paintings of the Joseon Dynasty by Burglind Jungmann. The left and right margins bear the signed and sealed authentication of the most renowned expert on Korean calligraphy, Kim Sun Won aka Mae San, celebrated calligrapher and host of the television show Jin Pum Myung Pum, the Korean equivalent of the Antiques Road Show. Mae San's authentications are highly valued and can be found on pieces in museum collections throughout Korea. 25 x 11 inches, 63.5 x 28 cm.

Calligraphy by the Joseon Dynasty's Last Prime Minister, Lee Wan Yong aka Ildang (1858 - 1926). He was prime minister of Korea in 1906 - 1910. Lee is Korea's most infamous traitor, the "Benedict Arnold of Korea", for signing the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty in 1910. Connoisseurs begrudgingly acknowledge his great talents as a calligrapher, but the disdain with which he is regarded keeps the demand, and thus the prices of his work very low. Mounted on sky blue silk. Scroll: 74.5 x 17.5 inches, 189 x 44.5 cm; Calligraphy: 51.5 x 12.75 inches, 131 x 32.5 cm.

Very Rare Goryeo Dynasty Gan Chal Calligraphy by the famous scholar Jeong Yi Oh aka Gyo Eun, born 1347. Frame: 19 x 19 inches, 48.25 x 48.25 cm; Calligraphy: 12 x 12 inches, 30.5 x 30.5 cm.

Memorial to Kim Koo by Chung Young Gok aka Kang Ho, a friend of Kim Koo. The second and third photos here are of Chung Young Gok with Kim Koo. The calligraphy states that it was composed on the occasion of a 1978 memorial ceremony to Kim Koo (1876 - 1949), the leader of the independence movement during Japan's occupation of Korea. The ceremony was at Baek Beom Sa Buddhist temple. The four main characters read: Su San Bok Hae, and translate: longevity like the mountain and good fortune like the sea. Wishes of good fortune are offered to Kim Hak Dae, a friend of Kim Koo and Chung Young Gok. Kim Hak Dae was at the memorial ceremony with Chung Young Gok. This work is an important piece of Korean history. Kim Koo is one of the most important figures in Korean history. His portrait will be on the new 100,000 Korean Won bill. Frame size: 64.25 x 18.5 inches, 163.5 x 47 cm; Painting size: 50 x 12 inches, 127 x 30.5 cm.