Antique Tansu Japanese chest of drawers – Meiji / Taishō period (c.1868-1926)
- Dimensions: Length: 84 cm Depth: 44 cm Height: 99 cm
- Style: Meiji
- Materials and techniques: Paulownia (Paulownia spp.)
- Place of origin: Japan
- Epoch: Late Meiji, early Taishō period
- Date of manufacture: Circa 1868-1926
- Condition: Good. Wear commensurate with age and use.
Original Japanese tansu from the Meiji period, with a vertical format and compact, well-balanced proportions, conceived as a practical piece of domestic storage. The composition is structured through a sequence of four wide drawers, emphasizing its functional and architectural character.
The piece is crafted entirely from paulownia (Paulownia spp.), a light and stable wood highly valued in Japanese furniture for its resistance to humidity and dimensional changes. This choice allows for a robust yet lightweight construction, ideal for furniture intended to be durable and, when necessary, movable within the home.
The façade features original iron fittings, including recessed pulls, circular lock plates, and reinforced corner brackets. These elements provide both structural strength and a sober graphic contrast against the warm tone of the wood. The surface retains a deep, uneven patina, with visible wear, scratches, and softened edges consistent with decades of use, reinforcing its authentic wabi-sabi character.
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 modularity, durability, and a rational approach to storage. The use of paulownia reflects a material culture based on lightness, mobility, and longevity, essential in everyday life in late 19th-century Japan.
With its dimensions, this tansu works naturally as a chest of drawers, auxiliary storage cabinet, or statement 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 cabinets or with our available antique sideboards.
ONE OF A KIND
