Kind · By use
Table/food cover
A sangbo covers a tray or table of food, often patchwork, with a loop at the centre to lift it.
- Meaning
- 'table cloth' (床 small dining table + 褓)
- Made of
- Ramie (summer), silk
- Era
- Joseon (1392–1910) to today
Covers a meal tray or table of food. It usually has a loop or knot at the center for lifting, and many are patchwork (조각상보). Patchwork 상보 are typically about 2 폭 square.
In museum collections
History & tradition
Joseon to 20th century households
In a Korean home meals were carried to each person on a small tray table, so covers were needed to keep food clean between the kitchen and the room. Light ramie covers were used in summer and padded ones in winter, and a loop or knot at the centre let the cover be lifted off. Many surviving patchwork bojagi were made as table covers.
Patchwork table covers are among the most popular bojagi made today, used as table linen or hung as wall pieces.
Researched with medium confidence.