In Korean, the term 'soban' refers to a small table used for dining or as a side table in a room. In traditional homes, the distance between the kitchen and the dining area was considerable, and brassware or earthenware was commonly used. Therefore, the soban was crafted from sturdy and durable wood, capable of withstanding weight while remaining easy to carry. Furthermore, since each person used their own individual table, they were typically made in smaller sizes. Various types of soban exist depending on their purpose, such as those used as trays (to cover the top of furniture), leg shapes, and regional styles.
This particular soban features a circular tabletop, specifically a round table with a relatively wide surface. It was crafted using black lacquerware, a type of lacquer decoration that produces a black color by adding iron oxide to the lacquer during the process. Black lacquerware, along with red lacquerware, which produces a red color, were exclusively used in royal courts or by the upper class. This round soban is considered to have been used by the upper class, given the materials used. This black lacquerware round soban is characterized by its simple circular line carvings on the tabletop, cloud-shaped legs, and elaborate openwork decoration of the four legs, inlaid with arabesque patterns. Each leg has a tenon that fits into the tabletop. Despite its somber color, the round table features detailed decorative elements.