Antique Japanese drawer box – End of the Meiji period (c. 1890-1910) #25

Antique Japanese box with drawers – End of the Meiji period (c. 1890-1910) Dimensions: Length: 29 cm Depth: 18 cm Height: 20 cm. Style: Meiji. Materials and techniques: Sugi (Japanese cedar) Place of origin: Japan. Period: Late Meiji. Date of manufacture: Circa 1890-1910. Condition: Good. Wear is consistent with age and use. Portable Japanese storage piece from the late Meiji period, made of solid wood and consisting of a hinged top lid, two small front drawers, and a larger lower drawer. This is a hybrid object, halfway between a box and a tansu, designed for storing personal items, documents, utensils, or small valuables. Its compact format, the presence of a metal handle on the lid, and the overall sturdiness of the construction suggest practical and potentially mobile use, in a domestic or semi-professional context. The wood exhibits a deep, dark, and very stable patina, marked by clear signs of prolonged use: worn edges, small cracks, dents, and surface marks accumulated over time. This aging is perfectly consistent with a piece from the late 19th century and constitutes an essential part of its character and authenticity. With its straight grain, soft texture, and structural lightness, the piece appears to be primarily made of sugi (Japanese cedar), the most commonly used wood for this type of furniture during the Meiji period. In areas subject to greater stress — such as the front frame or base — a slightly denser wood may have been used, in line with the usual practices of the time. UNIQUE PIECE.