Antique Japanese Funa Tansu (ship safe chest), made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood with elaborate heavy iron work, safe box has hinged door which opens to the right to reveal 4 small Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood drawers of differing sizes (one of which has a Chrysanthemum lock), the left hand door to the safe opens by sliding to the right revealing 2 small Kiri wood drawers, one large external drawer on top with large lock, Chrysanthemum iron work throughout including raised blossoms on the corners... Click for details

Unusual Antique Japanese Sakata Funa Tansu (Captain's ship safe), made of very heavy solid Keyaki (Zelkova) wood with lovely dovetail joints used in its construction. Original deep red-orange and black lacquer finish, iron hardware, Sakata area of Japan, Edo Period. Stunning original condition. Size: 10 1/2" high x 22 1/2" wide x 13" deep.

Beautiful Japanese antique choba tansu (merchant's chest), made of keyaki (elm) with sugi (Japanese cedar) interior, beautiful heavy iron hardware, sliders on top, bottom with removable locking bar (bo) over two drawers, lower right side with safe box, interior of safe with two small drawers, all original deep red translucent lacquer finish, Mikuni area, late Edo Period (mid 19th century). Size: 33 1/2" high x 36 3/4" wide x18 1/2" deep.

Antique Japanese merchant's chest (choba tansu), made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood with dark red lacquer finish, 4 exterior drawers and safe box with 2 small interior drawers, beautiful heavy iron hardware including elaborate bracing on front frame, wooden bracing on sides and back, from the Mikuni area, Edo Period (late 18th/early 19th century). Size: 32 1/2" high x 38" wide x 18" deep.

Gorgeous antique Japanese Kuruma tansu (wheeled chest), made of keyaki (elm) wood with all original finish and original heavy iron hardware, from the Etchu Area of Japan (ref. "Wadansu-shusei" by Kodansha), Edo Period c. 1830's. Size: 48 1/2" high x 56 1/2" wide x 29" deep. Exhibited: "Moving Cabinetry: Tansu from The Zentner Collection", Palo Alto Art Center, 2005.

Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest), original dark brown translucent lacquer finish, made of sugi (cryptomeria), iron hardware, one shelf on interior of slider compartment, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 43" high x 37 1/4" wide x 15 1/4" deep.

Beautiful and dramatic antique Japanese isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Nihonmatsu area, 2-sections, made with keyaki wood front and sugi wood frame, safe box with key, lovely original deep red/orange translucent lacquer finish, iron hardware, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 47 1/2" high x 45 1/4" wide x 18 1/2" deep.

Fantastic Funa-dansu from Sado Island. Keyaki (elm) wood with very heavy and ornate iron work on entire front face, interior behind bottom panel contains set of drawers with lacquered keyaki fronts and more iron work, early Meiji Period, keys. This chest has been published in several books and is one of the top fune tansus in the world. H 20", W 23", D 17".

Japanese isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Yamagata area, made of kuri (chestnut) wood and sugi (cryptomeria) wood with lovely original deep red and black lacquer finish, iron hardware with ivy leaf lock plates, hirute handles, safe box with two small interior drawers, Edo/Meiji Periods (circa mid 1800's). H 35-1/2", W 39-1/4", D 17-1/2"

Rare Mid Edo Period choba, merchant's chest, from the Sakata area, made of kiri (paulownia) wood with original patina (not refinished), nice iron hardware, interior (behind sliding panels) contains set of five drawers (three on the right, 2 on the left) and one hidden drawer. Incredibly rare Large oversized iron handles flanking each side of the chest.

Edo (1603 - 1868)

H 35-3/4", W 38", D 16-3/4".