Antique Japanese chest in dark colour – Meiji / Taishō period (c.1868-1926) #13

Antique Japanese chest in dark colour – Meiji / Taishō period (circa 1868-1926). Dimensions: Length: 58 cm Depth: 38 cm Height: 36 cm. Style: Meiji / Taishō Materials and techniques: Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) Place of origin: Japan. Period: Late Meiji period, early Taishō period. Date of manufacture: Circa 1868-1926. Condition: Good. Wear is consistent with age and use. This compact Japanese chest was designed as a portable and protective container for storing personal items, documents, or textiles. Its reduced proportions and reinforced construction indicate intensive use, related to both transport and domestic storage. The piece is made from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), a wood valued for its lightness, ease of working, and resistance to moisture. The exterior features a dark lacquer finish, originally intended to protect the wooden structure. The iron fittings reinforce the corners and edges, while the central locking system and handle highlight its original function as a secure and mobile chest. The lighter interior reveals the natural grain of the cedar and retains signs of use consistent with its age. The exterior surface shows wear, losses of lacquer, and softened edges, forming a sincere and homogeneous patina that enhances its wabi-sabi aesthetic. At the transition between the Meiji and Taishō periods, Japanese furniture adapted to new forms of mobility and domestic organisation. Chests of this type reflect a material culture based on protection, durability, and efficiency, while preserving traditional craftsmanship techniques and a sober aesthetic. With its dimensions, this chest can now serve as a low chest, side table, coffee table, or sculptural piece in contemporary, wabi-sabi, or eclectic interiors. UNIQUE PIECE.