Antique Japanese tansu – Showa period (c.1927) #55

Antique Japanese Tansu – Showa Period (c.1927) Dimensions: Length: 85 cm Depth: 41 cm Height: 101 cm. Style: Showa. Materials and Techniques: Paulownia (Paulownia spp.) Place of Origin: Japan. Period: Early Showa Era. Date of Manufacture: Circa 1927. Condition: Good. Wear is consistent with age and use. Original Japanese tansu from the Shōwa period, in a compact vertical format with balanced proportions, designed as a functional domestic storage piece. The composition combines upper compartments with sliding doors and a series of drawers of various sizes, organised according to a clear and pragmatic logic. The piece is entirely made of paulownia wood (Paulownia spp.), a lightweight and stable species widely used in Japanese furniture for its resistance to moisture and excellent durability over time. The interiors of the drawers retain the characteristic light hue of paulownia, while the exterior surfaces exhibit a warm and even patina acquired over decades. The original iron fittings — circular plates, recessed handles, and corner reinforcements — structure the façade with sobriety and precision, highlighting the utilitarian and measured character of the whole. During the Shōwa period, Japanese furniture evolved towards more rational and efficient domestic forms, adapted to new lifestyles, while retaining traditional construction techniques. Pieces from this era are distinguished by their functionality, durability, and a deliberately restrained aesthetic. Visible signs of use — softened edges, surface marks, and chromatic variations — are consistent with its age and contribute fully to its wabi-sabi aesthetic, a testament to a piece designed for continuous domestic use. UNIQUE PIECE.