Antique Japanese chest of drawers – Meiji / Taishō Period (c.1890-1926)
- Dimensions: Length: 91 cm Depth: 44 cm Height: 76 cm
- Style: Meiji
- Materials and Techniques: Paulownia (Paulownia spp.), Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)
- 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 low and horizontal format and well-balanced proportions, conceived as a functional piece of domestic storage. The composition is clear and restrained, articulated through a sequence of four wide drawers that emphasize its practical and architectural character.
The piece is crafted from a combination of paulownia (Paulownia spp.) and Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica). Paulownia provides structural lightness and stability, while Japanese cedar is used in secondary elements, contributing to smooth drawer movement and good performance in changing humidity conditions—an essential consideration in traditional Japanese interiors.
Original recessed iron pulls and discreet lock plates structure the façade with sobriety, while reinforced corners underline the durability of the construction. The darkened metal contrasts subtly with the warm tone of the wood, whose surface displays a deep and uneven patina, marked by scratches, abrasions, and softened edges consistent with long-term use.
The Meiji period (1868–1912) marked a profound transformation in Japanese society, during which traditional craft techniques adapted to new forms of domestic organization. Furniture from this era is characterized by its modularity, robustness, and a rational approach to storage. The use of paulownia reflects a material culture based on lightness, mobility, and durability, essential in everyday life in late 19th-century Japan.
With its dimensions, this tansu works naturally as a low chest of drawers, auxiliary storage unit, or a strong focal 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 chest of drawers can be combined with any of our chests or with our available antique console tables.
ONE OF A KIND
