Old Japanese Tansu merchant chest – Taishō / Shōwa period (c. 1912-1945) #36

Antique Tansu chest from a Japanese merchant – Taishō / Shōwa period (c. 1912-1945). Dimensions: Length: 91 cm Depth: 39 cm Height: 108 cm. Style: Shōwa. Materials and techniques: Paulownia (Paulownia spp.) Place of origin: Japan. Period: Late Taishō period, early Shōwa period. Date of manufacture: Circa 1912-1945. Condition: Good. Wear corresponds to age and use. Original Japanese tansu chest, made during the Taishō period – early Shōwa era, a phase marked by the formal refinement of traditional Japanese furniture and a more subdued aesthetic, without compromising on craftsmanship quality. The piece is entirely made of paulownia wood (Paulownia spp.), known in Japan as kiri. This lightweight, stable wood, naturally resistant to moisture, was widely used for storing textiles, kimonos, and personal effects, thanks to its excellent preservation properties. The composition is clear and balanced, featuring four large drawers reinforced by discreet fittings at the corners and on the fronts. The recessed handles and circular metal latches give the whole a functional and austere character, representative of early 20th-century Japanese taste. The straight grain of the paulownia, combined with the warm patina acquired over time, gives the piece a serene and timeless presence. Its clean design makes it particularly versatile, integrating naturally into both contemporary interiors and wabi-sabi or Japandi spaces. A piece that is both honest and elegant, originally designed for everyday use, and which today finds its place as a chest of drawers, low sideboard, or decorative storage unit. It is in excellent condition, with the exception of the characteristic imperfections of any antique, due to the passage of time. UNIQUE PIECE.