Wrap · Table
Table cover
A food-table cover with a lifting knob, laid over a set table to keep off flies and dust or keep food warm.
- For
- Covering a laid table of food; carrying a table
- Wraps
- Not a wrap: covers a food table (상)
- Cloth
- laid as a square
- Closed with
- Sewn-on corner tie
- Level
- Easy
Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (상보/밥상보): summer covers of 사 or 모시 with a 꼭지 to keep out flies and dust; winter 겹보 or 솜 covers keep heat; corner strings made carrying the table easier; oil-paper linings (식지보/유지보). Paired red and blue 주발보 marked a couple's bowls.
- 1Pick the season's cover: sheer silk or ramie in summer, lined or padded in winter.
- 2Hold the cover by the knob (꼭지) at its centre.
- 3Lower it over the laid table so it hangs evenly.
- 4To move the table, tie the corner strings (끈) round the table to hold everything.
History & tradition
Joseon to mid 20th century, everyday household cloth
A 상보 was laid over a table of food until it was eaten. Summer covers were made of sheer silk or ramie with a knob (꼭지) on top to lift them, keeping out flies and dust; winter covers were lined or padded to keep food warm. Some had oiled paper lining (식지보), and corner ties helped carry the table. Many were patchwork, and paired blue and red bowl covers distinguished husband and wife.
Patchwork table covers are among the most collected and reproduced bojagi today, and are made by contemporary jogakbo artists.