Small antique Japanese tansu – Meiji/Taishō period (c. 1890-1926) #26

Small antique Japanese tansu made of paulownia wood (Paulownia spp.) with drawers and sliding doors, dated between the end of the Meiji period and the beginning of the Taishō period, circa 1890–1926. This compact Japanese tansu was used in domestic interiors to store documents, textiles, or personal items. Its low structure and the organisation of its compartments allowed for the orderly storage of various objects in traditional Japanese homes. The piece is made of paulownia wood (Paulownia spp.), a highly valued material in Japanese furniture for its lightness, stability, and natural resistance to moisture. These properties made it an ideal material for the preservation of textiles and papers. The furniture combines several drawers of different sizes, a central compartment with sliding doors, and a wider lower drawer. The metal fittings and corner reinforcements provide strength and reflect the functional aesthetic characteristic of tansu furniture. The surface retains a deep natural patina with signs of use, a result of the passage of time and the daily use of the furniture. These marks contribute to the authentic character of antique Japanese furniture.