Large 1980s Japanese Tansu Chest Cabinet With Beautifully Figured Wood

Details

Description

Impressive vintage Japanese tansu chest dating to the 1980s, combining abundant storage with beautifully figured wood and traditional decorative metalwork. … Read more Impressive vintage Japanese tansu chest dating to the 1980s, combining abundant storage with beautifully figured wood and traditional decorative metalwork. The cabinet is constructed in three stacked sections and features a versatile arrangement of drawers, sliding doors, and hinged cabinet doors. The upper section offers concealed storage behind four sliding panels with an interior shelf in each side, and a large open space in the center. Below are three drawers. The central cabinet opens to reveal removable slatted trays on the left and shelving on the right. The lower section provides eight drawers in varying sizes.
The richly figured exterior wood, likely keyaki (Japanese zelkova), displays dramatic, flowing grain throughout the front and sides. Contrasting light wood is used for the drawer boxes and cabinet interiors. Traditional dovetail joinery is visible in the drawer construction, along with original Japanese assembly markings on some of the drawers. A particularly beautiful feature is the traditional metal hardware. Large circular pierced escutcheons on the central doors feature intricate floral motifs with small brass-toned chrysanthemum accents, complemented by gracefully curved metal pulls on the drawers and recessed pulls on the sliding doors. A working key is included and fits the single lock on the large cabinet doors.
At just over 70 inches wide and high, this is a substantial statement piece with exceptional storage capacity. Its relatively shallow 17.5-inch depth keeps the profile surprisingly streamlined, making it well-suited as a bedroom dresser, linen chest, or distinctive storage piece in a living or dining space. Unlike many older tansu chests, this one is very functional for everyday use. The drawers and doors open nicely. We purchased it from a Japanese woman who bought it in the 1980s in Japan and then had it shipped to the States.

70.5” wide, 17.5” deep, and 71” high. See less