Antique Japanese storage chest – Meiji period (c.1868-1912) #48

Antique Japanese storage chest – Meiji Period (c. 1868-1912) Dimensions: Length: 95 cm Depth: 40 cm Height: 98 cm. Style: Meiji. Materials and techniques: Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), galvanised corrugated sheets. Place of origin: Japan. Period: Meiji. Date of manufacture: Circa 1868-1912. Condition: Good. Wear is consistent with age and use. Original Japanese tansu from the Meiji period, in a compact vertical format with balanced proportions, designed as a functional domestic storage piece. The composition combines drawers, compartments with sliding doors, and organised interior storage spaces according to a clear and rational logic. The piece is primarily made of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), a wood valued for its lightness, stability, and resistance to moisture, widely used in Japanese domestic furniture. The back and base are clad in galvanised iron corrugated sheets, a technical solution introduced during the Meiji period to protect furniture from moisture, insects, and climatic variations, particularly in storage areas or semi-industrial domestic spaces. The façade features a simple and structured composition, with drawers fitted with original iron handles and plain closing plates. The contrast between the warm patina of the wood and the dark metal highlights the architectural character of the whole. The interiors of the drawers retain a lighter hue, while the exterior surfaces exhibit a deep and even patina acquired over time. UNIQUE PIECE.