Antique storage furniture – Meiji / Taishō period (c.1868-1926) #98

Antique Commode – Meiji / Taishō Period (c.1868-1926) Dimensions: Length: 78 cm Depth: 39 cm Height: 77 cm. Style: Meiji. Materials and Techniques: Paulownia (Paulownia spp.) Place of Origin: Japan. Era: End of the Meiji period, beginning of the Taishō period. Date of Manufacture: Circa 1868-1926. Condition: Good. Wear is consistent with age and use. Original Japanese tansu from the Meiji period, compact in size and with balanced proportions, designed as a versatile domestic storage piece. Despite its modest width, the piece features a rich and asymmetrical composition, combining drawers of various sizes, closed compartments, and storage spaces organised according to a strictly functional logic. Made from paulownia wood (Paulownia spp.), a lightweight and stable species widely used in Japan for its natural resistance to moisture and durability, this tansu is distinguished by a solid construction intended for daily use. The interiors of the drawers retain the characteristic light hue of paulownia, while the facades and outer structure display a warm and even patina acquired over time. The wrought iron fittings — circular plates, handles, and corner reinforcements — punctuate the facade and highlight the piece's graphic and architectural character. Their ancient, regular oxidation is well integrated, enhancing the authenticity of the whole. The sliding side door provides access to a compartmentalised interior space, intelligently complementing the organisation of the furniture. Visible signs of use on the surface — marks, abrasions, slight chromatic variations — are consistent with its age and contribute fully to its wabi-sabi aesthetic, a testament to an object designed to last and be used. UNIQUE PIECE.