Small antique Japanese chest with drawers – Meiji / Showa period (c.1890-1945) #93

Antique Japanese hibachi from the Meiji period, made around 1900 from a combination of paulownia, Japanese cedar, copper, and iron, designed as a domestic heating piece for everyday use in traditional Japanese interiors. This type of furniture, known in its elongated form as nagahibachi, was used as a portable brazier to heat small rooms and accompany domestic life. Beyond its thermal function, it also provided a supplementary surface and small side drawers intended for accessories, tobacco, or everyday items. The structure reveals the characteristic lightness of kiri wood, valued in Japan for its stability, low density, and resistance to moisture. The three side drawers, metal handles, and inner copper basin enhance its utilitarian character, while the simplicity of the design reflects the functional elegance of the late 19th century. The surface shows signs of use, wear, and a warm patina developed over time, qualities that now naturally align with interiors of wabi-sabi sensibility. It can now be used as a side table, conversation piece, or decorative accent with a strong historical and material character. Details Dimensions: Width: 62 cm Depth: 39 cm Height: 30 cm Style: Meiji Materials and techniques: Paulownia (Paulownia spp.), Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), copper, and iron; structure assembled with a metal inner basin and side drawers Place of origin: Japan Period: Meiji period (1868–1912) Date of manufacture: Circa 1900 Condition / Observations: Good. Wear consistent with age and use, with visible marks on the wood, slight oxidation, and beautiful patina. The inner copper basin and metal elements retain their functional and decorative presence.