Bookcase

Meoritjang is a pillow-side chest placed near the head of a mattress. Unlike typical large multi-tiered closets, this chest consisted of one tier, and was called dancheungjang, meaning one-tiered chest. It was also called aegijang (baby chest) or beoseonjang (chest for socks). Its low height was designed for items to be put into and taken out of the chest while sitting. This chest with drawers and hinged double doors usually stored clothes, and boxes and other household items were placed on the top board. The meoritjang shown here is a pillar-shaped chest, consisting of a top board, a body, and four legs. The top board was made with a flat wooden panel, which was secured to the pillars of the body with corner props to prevent it from warping downwards. There are three drawers in the upper body. Attached to each drawer was a semi-circular metal plate, to which a hidden lock, with only the keyhole being outwardly visible, and a ring-shaped handle were affixed. A brass circular plate and floral-shaped corner fittings were attached to the hinged double doors at the center of the body, and the doors were connected to the body using circular hinges. The lower part of the body has decorative wood panels, and finely carved wood panels were attached to the bottom, which was supported by four legs carved to resemble those of a dog.