Antique Japanese multi-drawer tansu (c.1868-1926)
- Dimensions: Length: 96 cm Depth: 43 cm Height: 102 cm
- Style: Meiji
- Materials and techniques: Paulownia (Paulownia spp.)
- Place of origin: Japan
- Epoch: Late Meiji, early Taishō period
- Date of manufacture: Circa (c.1868-1926)
- Condition: Good. Wear commensurate with age and use.
Original Japanese tansu from the Meiji period, conceived in a vertical format with well-balanced proportions and intended as domestic storage furniture. Made of paulownia, a light and stable wood traditionally valued in Japan for its resistance to humidity and climatic variation, the piece presents a solid and purposeful construction.
The composition of broad drawer fronts, together with circular black iron fittings and side carry handles, underscores its clearly utilitarian origin. The surface retains a warm, even patina, with traces of use consistent with its age, adding visual depth and a distinctive wabi-sabi character.
A versatile piece that can function as a chest of drawers, an auxiliary storage unit, or a focal element within contemporary, Japanese, or eclectic interiors.
Historical Context — Meiji Period
During the Meiji period, Japan underwent profound social and material transformation. Domestic furnishings preserved traditional craft techniques while adapting to evolving needs of organization and functionality. Paulownia tansu from this era embody a culture of practicality, where lightness, mobility, and durability played a central role in everyday life.
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 Tansu can be combined with any of our trunks or with our available antique coffee tables.
ONE OF A KIND
