Scholar's Accouterments (chaekgori)

The Chinese-style books on screens of this type are usually depicted closed, stacked in sets wrapped in slipcases. Joseon-dynasty scholars sat on thin cushions on the floor and worked at small, portable desks. Chaekgori is a Confucian theme, directly related to the scholarly aspiration of the landed gentry, the scholar-officials of the Joseon-dynasty government. Yet, bookstack screens were popular in the homes of commoners, as well, symbolizing the Confucian ideals of education and self-improvement, and perhaps providing inspiration to the family's children.

For a full discussion of chaekgori screens, see Kay E. Black and Edward W. Wagner, "Court style Ch'aekkori," in Hopes and Aspirations: Decorative Paintings of Korea, exh. cat. (San Francisco: Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, 1998), 21-35; also Black and Wagner, "Ch'aekkori Paintings: A Korean Jigsaw Puzzle," Archives of Asian Art 46 (1993): 63-75.