Ancient Japanese Tansu Cabinet

Details

Description

Antique japanese tansu – meiji / taishō period (c.1890-1926)

dimensions: length: 98 cm depth: 45 cm height: 107 cm
style: … Read more Antique japanese tansu – meiji / taishō period (c.1890-1926)

dimensions: length: 98 cm depth: 45 cm height: 107 cm
style: meiji
materials and techniques: paulownia (paulownia spp.)
place of origin: japan
epoch:late meiji, early taishō period
date of manufacture: circa 1890-1926
condition: good. Wear commensurate with age and use.
original japanese tansu from the meiji period, with a vertical format and generous proportions, conceived as a high-capacity domestic storage cabinet. The composition is rich and asymmetrical, combining wide drawers, smaller side drawers, closed compartments, and interior shelving, all organized according to a strictly functional logic.

the piece is crafted entirely in paulownia (paulownia spp.), a lightweight and stable wood widely used in japanese furniture for its natural resistance to humidity and long-term durability. Drawer interiors retain the characteristic pale tone of paulownia, while the exterior surfaces display a warm, deep patina acquired through decades of use.

original wrought iron fittings—including circular lock plates, drawer pulls, side carrying handles, and corner reinforcements—articulate the façade and reinforce both the structural integrity and the graphic, architectural character of the piece. Their aged surface and uniform oxidation are fully consistent with the period.

the meiji period (1868–1912) marked a profound transformation in japanese society, during which traditional craft techniques adapted to new forms of domestic organization. Tansu from this era are characterized by their modularity, robustness, and a rational approach to storage. The use of paulownia reflects a material culture based on lightness, mobility, and durability—essential qualities in everyday life in late 19th-century japan.

visible wear on the surfaces—abrasions, marks, and subtle tonal variations—is coherent with its age and forms an essential part of its wabi-sabi aesthetic, testifying to an object designed for continuous domestic use.

with its dimensions (98 × 45 × 107 cm), this tansu works today as a main chest of drawers, storage cabinet, or a strong statement piece in contemporary, japanese, or eclectic 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 tansu can be combined with any of our sideboards or with our available antique benches.

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