Old Japanese work table – Showa period (c. 1926-1970) #59

Antique Japanese Work Table – Showa Period (c.1926-1970) Dimensions: Length: 120 cm Depth: 74 cm Height: 75 cm. Style: Showa. Materials and Techniques: Shorea (Shorea spp.), Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) Place of Origin: Japan. Period: Early Showa Era. Date of Manufacture: Circa 1926-1970. Condition: Good. Wear corresponds to age and use. Original Japanese table in Shōwa style, designed as a work and everyday use piece, both within the home and in small domestic workshops. Its wide and stable format reflects a time when functionality was paramount and furniture needed to withstand continuous use without losing its formal clarity. The piece is made from a combination of Shorea (Shorea spp.) and Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica). The dense and durable Shorea is used for the structure and tabletop, providing strength and stability, while the Japanese cedar is used for secondary elements and drawers, allowing for smooth sliding and balanced behaviour in response to humidity variations. The design features a wide rectangular tabletop resting on a robust structure, reinforced by low crossbars ensuring overall stability. Discreet and functional integrated front drawers are provided for storing tools, documents, or everyday items. The deep patina of the tabletop, marked by visible signs of use, perforations, and pronounced wear on the edges, attests to a real and continuous working life. The beginning of the Shōwa period (circa 1926–1945) marks an important transition in Japanese architecture and furniture, where the tradition of wooden construction coexists with an increased need for functionality and durability. Following the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, structures were reinforced and more stable and rational solutions were prioritised. UNIQUE PIECE.