Small Traditional Japanese Wooden Tansu Chest, 1920s

Details

Description

Charming low Japanese tansu chest with a calm, simple silhouette and warmly aged wood grain. Originally this type of cabinet … Read more Charming low Japanese tansu chest with a calm, simple silhouette and warmly aged wood grain. Originally this type of cabinet was used as practical storage for tableware, tea utensils and kitchen goods, and it still carries that quiet sense of everyday domestic life.

Dimensions: height 43.5 cm, width 69 cm, depth 26 cm.

The tansu is divided into two sliding doors on the left, a compartment with a hinged door on the right and two drawers along the bottom. Behind the sliding doors and the little door you’ll find generous compartments for plates, tea bowls, pantry jars or papers. The drawers are ideal for cutlery, table linens or small stationery items. The wood has a beautiful deep brown tone with visible grain and an authentic patina from almost a century of use.

Thanks to its compact size this chest is not only practical but also perfect as a display piece: plants, ceramics, books or small artworks look wonderful on top. The dark body forms a striking contrast with fresh greenery or light glazes.

A charming detail: on the small door, two rings with a tiny heart-shaped element are attached to a cord, replacing the original metal pull that was lost. A subtle piece of history that hints at the daily life of its former owners.

An authentic storage piece from around the 1920s and a warm, atmospheric interior accent that fits effortlessly into Japanese, wabi-sabi or eclectic modern interiors. See less