Reading Table

Kyeongsang is a reading table. It generally consists of a tabletop fixed on both sides with rolled-up edges, and four legs embellished with carvings in the shape of cloud and vines or bamboo joints. The body includes drawers displaying engravings of motifs such as an elephant eye or a Buddhist ceremonial scepter. As the name suggests (kyeong means Buddhist scriptures and sang means a table), it was originally used in Buddhist temples for reading the scriptures. Its rolled-up tabletop was designed to prevent scripture scrolls from falling. The rolled-up edges were generally made in two ways. One is to attach a separate rolled-up edge to the tongue made on the tabletop, and the other is to fit a separate rolled-up edge into the groove on the tabletop. Though kyeongsang was usually made of pinewood, paulownia wood, lime wood, spruce wood, and shiny xylosma wood, many favored locust wood in particular due to its beautiful and fine grains. The reading table shown here has rolled-up edges attached to the tongues of the tabletop and extended outwards. Three drawers in two tiers were engraved with the motif of a Buddhist ceremonial scepter, with one motif on either side of the strut of the lower drawer, and one motif each on the two upper drawers. The side and back panels were also engraved with the motifs. Ring-shaped handles were attached to the strut of the lower drawer and to the center of the motifs on the upper drawers. Legs extended from the corner pillars were adorned with carvings in the shape of bamboo joints, and wooden rods were attached to the bottom of the legs using penetrated mortise and tenon joints.