A Study on Changes of Furniture Hard Ware in Korea - From the Joseon Era to Modern Times -

한국 가구 하드웨어 변화 연구 - 조선시대부터 현대까지 -

This article was intended as fundamental materials to recognize the current status of furniture hard ware in Korean market and to fix the identity of Korean furniture, by investigating and comparing the furniture hard ware used in the Joseon era and in modern times by type, function, shape and material. The analysis of furniture hard ware of the Joseon era and modern times from the view of functional aspects was oriented to the hard ware necessary to open and close the door & drawer on one side, and to that being attached to the main body of furniture not to scratch the wood by another wood on the other side, and from this the following conclusion was drawn. First of all, "Gwangdoojung" - a kind of spike- and metal decoration on the edge of the furniture disappeared, while the function-oriented hard wares have been diversified in modern times, from the perspective of the change of kinds. Second, the functional aspect of the furniture hard ware was emphasized in modern times than the Joseon era. In other words, the hard wares of the Joseon era came into view due to their strong appeal to decoration, whereas those of modern times were mostly hidden or moderated, keeping the function substantially. Third, the hard wares from the Joseon era were shown in concrete and detailed shape motivated by natural objects and furthermore even gloriously, but the modern hard wares are simple & basic geometry, from a formative point of view. Fourth, the material aspects present that the Joseon era's hard ware was mainly cast iron, whereas that of modern times shows the diversification from metal to even plastic. Finally, the recent trend in naming of the hard wares is the words of foreign origin. This resulted from that the foreign names of hard wares are valid also after import process in Korean market, so the domestic development of hard ware as the essential factor for the furniture design is urgently necessary to establish the identity of Korean modern furniture.