Antique Japanese Tansu in Wood

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Antique Japanese Tansu – Meiji / Taishō Period (c.1868-1926)Dimensions: Length: 124 cm Depth: 43 cm Height: 99 cmStyle: MeijiMaterials and … Read more Antique Japanese Tansu – Meiji / Taishō Period (c.1868-1926)Dimensions: Length: 124 cm Depth: 43 cm Height: 99 cmStyle: MeijiMaterials and techniques:Paulownia (Paulownia spp.), Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)Place of origin: JapanEpoch: Late Meiji, early Taishō periodDate of manufacture: Circa 1868-1926Condition: Good. Wear commensurate with age and use.Original Japanese tansu from the Meiji period, conceived in a vertical format with balanced proportions and composed of four wide front drawers. Crafted entirely from paulownia, a light and stable wood highly valued in Japanese furniture for its resistance to humidity and climatic variation.Circular black iron fittings, together with reinforced corner mounts, lend the piece a strong graphic presence while emphasizing its functional origins. The surface preserves a warm, authentic patina, with traces of weathering that enhance its wabi-sabi character and attest to its history as a domestic storage piece.Historical Context — Meiji PeriodThe Meiji period marked a time of profound transformation in Japanese society, where traditional craftsmanship was combined with emerging functional demands. Tansu from this era retained inherited construction techniques while adapting to increasingly organized and practical interiors. The use of paulownia reflects a culture of mobility, durability, and lightness, essential to everyday life in late 19th-century Japan.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. See less