Antique Japanese Tansu Chest – Meiji / Taishō Period (c.1868-1926) #81

Antique Japanese Tansu Chest – Meiji / Taishō Period (c.1868-1926) Dimensions: Length: 98 cm Depth: 44 cm Height: 106 cm. Style: Meiji. Materials and Techniques: Paulownia (Paulownia spp.) Place of Origin: Japan. Period: Late Meiji period, early Taishō period. Date of Manufacture: Circa 1868-1926. Condition: Good. Wear is consistent with age and use. Original Japanese Tansu from the Meiji period, in a vertical format with solid proportions, designed as a high-capacity domestic storage piece. Made from paulownia wood (Paulownia spp.), a lightweight and stable material, it features a robust construction intended for durability and mobility, essential qualities in late 19th-century Japan. The composition of four large drawers is accented by circular black iron fittings and side transport handles, clearly highlighting its original functional purpose. The surface retains a rich and deep patina, marked by signs of use consistent with its age, giving the piece a pronounced and authentic wabi-sabi aesthetic. A piece that is both balanced and powerful, ideal as a main chest of drawers, accent furniture, or a central piece in contemporary, Japanese, or eclectic interiors. The Meiji era marks Japan's transition to modernity while maintaining deeply rooted artisanal techniques. The paulownia tansu from this period reflect a material culture based on functionality, lightness, and sturdiness, meeting the demands of an ever-evolving daily life. UNIQUE PIECE.