Stationery Chest

Mungap¸ an abbreviation of mungugap, meaning a stationery chest, is a short single-step dresser used to store documents and stationery. It is often made of pine or paulownia wood. The front panels are made of lumber and decorated with beautiful patterns of bamboo strips and mother-of-pearl, while feldspar is used sparingly for the concealed lock or the handles. The chest is developed to suit a sedentary lifestyle, with a height made for comfortable use when sitting down. The chest was used both in the main bedroom and the guestroom. A brush stand, a water bottle for making ink, viewing stones, and orchid pots may be placed on the top board so that the chest may double as a display stand. The chest shown here has a pair of doors and is made of pine and sawleaf zelkova wood. It was made using thin panels overall, and thin panels were also used to reinforce the thicker panels at the front, into which the doors are inserted. The legs are decorated with carved cloud patterns on the front, while the back of the legs is engraved with curves of simplified cloud patterns. The four doors on the front are each attached with a nickel flower ornament. A concealed lock is built into the third door so that it must be opened before the other three doors can be opened. Under the top board of the inside are three drawers with a handle, which are used to easily store small items.