Antique Japanese box with drawers – Late Meiji Period (c.1890-1910)
- Dimensions: Length: 29 cm Depth: 18 cm Height: 20 cm
- Style: Meiji
- Materials and techniques: Sugi (Japanese cedar)
- Place of origin: Japan
- Period: Late Meiji
- Date of manufacture: Circa 1890-1910
- Condition: Good. Wear commensurate with age and use.
apanese portable storage piece from the late Meiji period, crafted in solid wood and composed of a hinged top lid, two small front drawers, and a larger lower drawer.
This is a hybrid object, halfway between a box and a tansu, conceived for the storage of personal belongings, documents, utensils, or small valuables. Its compact scale, the presence of a metal carrying handle on the lid, and the overall robustness of the construction suggest a practical and potentially itinerant use within a domestic or semi-professional context.
The wood presents a deep, dark, and remarkably stable patina, with clear traces of prolonged use: worn edges, small cracks, impacts, and surface marks accumulated over time. This aging is entirely consistent with a piece from the late 19th century and forms an essential part of its character and authenticity.
Based on its straight grain, soft texture, and structural lightness, the piece appears to be made primarily of sugi (Japanese cedar), the most common wood used for this type of furniture during the Meiji period. In areas subject to greater stress—such as the front frame or base—a slightly denser wood may have been employed, a common practice in this type of construction.
The original metal fittings—including hinges, handle, and drawer hardware—are made of wrought iron with a simple, functional design and uniform surface oxidation. The two upper drawers, of small format, and the deeper lower drawer with a curved metal pull retain their original structure and show interiors free of modern interventions.
The reinforced and closely fitted top lid completes a piece designed to be frequently handled, opened, and closed, reinforcing its reading as an object of daily use rather than a static piece of furniture.
The piece is in good structural condition, with visible yet coherent wear and no invasive restorations. Quiet and restrained, it possesses a strong material presence and integrates naturally into contemporary interiors or curated collections of authentic Japanese furniture.
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 can be combined with any of our tv furniture or with our available antique benches.
ONE OF A KIND
