20th Century Vintage Jewelry Storage Mahogany Tansu Chest with Original Lock

Details

Description

This is slightly larger than many so-called "tansu" chests, which were originally traditional Japanese mobile storage units, often made of … Read more This is slightly larger than many so-called "tansu" chests, which were originally traditional Japanese mobile storage units, often made of wood, featuring intricate joinery and iron hardware. Originating in the Edo period, they served as storage for clothing, valuables, and tools. Tansu chests were designed to be portable, reflecting a nomadic lifestyle, and are now cherished as antiques. This has a much more "Western" feel than true Japanese or other Asian-area-originating small chests. It would fit seamlessly into any interior, either Western or Asian, with its boldly grained wood and bright brass elements.
This brass bound mahogany cabinet is probably mid 20th Century. This whimsical piece is being offered at almost 20 percent below its retail value.
Of rectangular section, the case fitted with two hinged cabinet doors opening to a divided interior with a stack of five short drawers next to a recessed area, over two long drawers, on bracket feet, with vibrant cast brass hinges, handles and escutcheons, the central motif depicting a lion on a stylized cloud-form base. I think the condition is fair to good. There are some staples in the joints of one of the small drawers that is bothersome. It originally had the segmented velvet drawer lining that holds rings and separates jewelry in this type of storage cabinet and it was removed and new simple velvet lining has been installed in the upper drawers.
Dimensions: 35 inches tall by 31 inches wide by 20 inches deep See less