Ancient Japanese Tansu – Meiji/Taishō Period (c.1868-1926) #25

Ancient Japanese Tansu – Meiji/Taishō Period (c. 1868-1926) Dimensions: Length: 97 cm Depth: 43 cm Height: 104 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 corresponds to age and use. Original Japanese tansu from the Meiji period, in a vertical format with balanced proportions, featuring four wide drawers at the front. Entirely made of paulownia wood (Paulownia spp.), a lightweight and stable species particularly valued in Japanese furniture for its resistance to humidity and climatic variations. The circular black iron fittings, combined with corner reinforcements, give the piece a strong graphic presence while highlighting its structural function. The surface retains a warm and authentic patina, marked by the passage of time, which enhances its wabi-sabi character and its status as a historical domestic piece. The Meiji period is characterised by a profound transformation of Japanese society, where traditional craftsmanship adapts to new functional needs. The tansu of this era preserve inherited construction techniques while responding to a more rational and practical domestic organisation. The use of paulownia reflects a culture based on mobility, durability, and lightness, essential to daily life in late 19th-century Japan. It is in excellent condition, except for the characteristic imperfections of any antique, due to the passage of time. UNIQUE PIECE.