Japanese Wooden Hibachi Tea Cabinet with Drawers, 1920s

Details

Description

Characterful Japanese hibachi chest made from keyaki (Japanese zelkova), with a very pronounced, flowing grain – a pattern known in … Read more Characterful Japanese hibachi chest made from keyaki (Japanese zelkova), with a very pronounced, flowing grain – a pattern known in Japanese as mokume. The lively wood grain continues beautifully across the fronts and sides.

Dimensions: height 38 cm, width 67 cm, depth 36 cm.

At the top is the original red-copper liner, which was traditionally filled with ash and glowing charcoal to warm the room and keep water hot for tea. At the bottom and on the right are five practical drawers with copper handles, and on the sides finely carved wooden handles make the piece easy to move. The hibachi also comes with a separate tray in the same keyaki wood, traditionally used as a small serving tray (obon) during the tea ceremony.

Today this piece is still perfect for a tea corner, but it also works beautifully as a unique plant stand: the copper liner is ideal for a potted plant, ikebana or a small still life, while the drawers offer handy storage for tea utensils, candles or other small items.

The chest is in good condition, with attractive signs of age and a rich patina that only enhance its character. See less