Japanese Meiji Choba-Dansu Tansu, 1890s

Details

Description

Characterful Japanese tansu, dating from the late Meiji period, ca. 1890–1910.

Dimensions: height 90 cm, width 90 cm, depth 41 … Read more Characterful Japanese tansu, dating from the late Meiji period, ca. 1890–1910.

Dimensions: height 90 cm, width 90 cm, depth 41 cm.

This atmospheric Japanese cabinet is made from warm reddish-brown wood with dark iron hardware. The combination of wide drawers, smaller compartments, elegant handles, corner fittings and decorative lock plates gives the piece a strong and authentic presence.

The layout is practical and beautifully asymmetrical, with a wide upper drawer, several larger drawers on the left and centre, a vertical row of smaller drawers on the right, and a generous drawer at the bottom. One small front panel is missing; this originally most likely covered two small drawers. In use, this is not very disturbing, as the drawers are now directly accessible and practical to use.

This type of tansu was used in Japan as a functional storage cabinet and relates closely to the tradition of choba-dansu, or merchant-style tansu, where practical storage and decorative character come together.

The cabinet has a beautiful timeworn patina, with normal signs of use and age, light wear to the wood and natural ageing to the iron fittings. These traces give the piece warmth, history and character.

Today, this tansu works beautifully as a low cabinet, display piece or atmospheric base for plants, ceramics, books, textiles or Japanese objects.

An authentic and highly decorative Japanese tansu with elegant proportions, strong patina and generous practical storage. See less