Old Japanese chest of drawers – Taishō / Shōwa period (c. 1912-1945) #37

Antique Japanese chest – Taishō / Shōwa period (c. 1912-1945) Dimensions: Length: 91 cm Depth: 40 cm Height: 99 cm. Style: Taishō Materials and techniques: Paulownia (Paulownia spp.), Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) Place of origin: Japan. Period: Late Taishō period, early Shōwa period. Date of manufacture: Circa 1912-1945. Condition: Good. Wear is consistent with age and use. Original Japanese tansu from the Taishō period, in a vertical format with balanced proportions, designed as a high-capacity domestic storage piece. The composition features four wide drawers arranged in a clear and rhythmic vertical layout, highlighting its functional and architectural character. The piece is made from a combination of paulownia (Paulownia spp.) and Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica). The paulownia provides structural lightness and stability, while the Japanese cedar is used in secondary elements, promoting smooth sliding and good performance against humidity variations. This combination of woods is typical of Japanese furniture from the early 20th century. The original hardware — recessed handles, small decorative plates, and corner reinforcements — structures the façade with simplicity and precision. Their dark patina delicately contrasts with the warm tone of the wood, enhancing the utilitarian and measured aesthetic of the piece. The Taishō period (1912–1926) represents a transitional phase in Japan, during which traditional craftsmanship coexists with new domestic needs and a more rational organisation of interior space. The furniture from this era retains inherited construction techniques while adopting more readable compositions and greater formal sobriety. UNIQUE PIECE.