Japanese Chest of Drawers in Wood

Details

Description

Antique Japanese chest of drawers – Taishō / Showa Period (c.1920-1970)

Dimensions: Length: 91 cm Depth: 43 cm Height: 76 … Read more Antique Japanese chest of drawers – Taishō / Showa Period (c.1920-1970)

Dimensions: Length: 91 cm Depth: 43 cm Height: 76 cm
Style:Taishō
Materials and techniques:Paulownia (Paulownia spp.), Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)
Place of origin: Japan
Epoch: Late Taishō, early Showa period
Date of manufacture: Circa 1920-1970
Condition: Good. Wear commensurate with age and use.
This Japanese tansu from the Taishō period features a low and horizontal format, with a well-balanced composition combining drawers of varying sizes and upper compartments, creating a clear and orderly visual structure. Its design follows a precise domestic logic, intended for the storage of textiles, personal belongings, and everyday household items.

The cabinet is made from a combination of paulownia (Paulownia spp.) and Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica). Paulownia, light and dimensionally stable, is primarily used for the drawer bodies, while Japanese cedar appears in the structure and secondary elements, providing strength and good resistance to humidity. This material pairing is typical of early 20th-century Japanese furniture.

The front is articulated through a sequence of drawers fitted with original wrought-iron pulls and discreet circular lock plates. The hardware, sober and functional, provides a graphic contrast to the warm tone of the wood. The surface retains a deep and even patina, with visible wear, abrasions, and softened edges that speak to long-term use and authentic aging.

During the Taishō period (1912–1926), Japanese furniture evolved toward more restrained and rational forms, preserving traditional craftsmanship while embracing greater formal clarity. Tansu from this era reflect a balance between tradition and early modernity, where proportion and function play a central role.

With its dimensions, this tansu works naturally as a low chest of drawers, auxiliary storage unit, or supporting piece in contemporary, Japanese-inspired, or wabi-sabi interiors.

The state of conservation is optimal, except for the characteristic imperfections of any antique produced by the passage of time.

Give a point of originality to your home with a unique piece, which merges with the contemporary style bringing personality to your home. This antique Japanese chest of drawers can be combined with one of our benches or with our available antique trunks. See less