Antique Japanese 2-section kaidan tansu, or step/stair chest of drawers. Made of solid Keyaki (elm) hardwood, the bold woodgrain is well-complimented by the original deep red lacquer finish and heavy iron hardware. With original set of keys.
Exhibited at the Prestigious SF Fall Art and Antique show, 2017.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 55" L x 26 1/8" D x 80" H

Antique Japanese tansu from the Iwayado area. Made with Sugi (cypress) wood frame and dramatic Keyaki (elm) burl front panels, in original red/orange lacquer finish. The extensive iron plating is incised into flowers and Kiri leaves; The top drawer features a large flying Phoenix as its lock plate. The two drawers below are kept secure by the original lock bar with working key included; To the right is a hinged door with a large iron Fu Dog lock plate, holding two Keyaki front lacquered drawers... Click for details

Antique Japanese small tansu from the Sakata region, with original red lacquer top and sides and black lacquer front. The top and bottom drawer are decorated by large iron lock plates, incised with a bamboo forest, blossoming cherry trees, and small flying birds. The corner hardware on the face of each drawer also show floral motifs.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 33.75" L x 15.5" D x 18.75" H

Antique Japanese small tansu from the Sakata region, with original red lacquer top and sides and black lacquer front. The top drawer's iron lock plate is incised with the image of a flying crane and pine branches; The bottom drawer's lock is incised with an ancient turtle with many tails. This imagery represents good health and longevity. Key is included.

Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 32.75" L x 15.75" D x 20" H

Japanese 2-section isho tansu (clothing chest of drawers), from the Kyoto area. The chest is made with Sugi (cypress) wood in the original glossy red lacquer finish a lacquering process know asiro-urushi (色漆), literally "color lacquer"and has 11 drawers with charming heart-shaped keyholes and black iron warabite pulls. The top section houses a large open compartment behind two Keyaki (elm) sliding panels in a dark finish, with black lacquer frames.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)... Click for details

Antique Japanese small merchant's box. Although this tansu has the appearance of a gyosho bako (peddler's box), it does not have loops for carrying straps. It was probably custom made for a merchant's raised platform area. All of the drawers feature hand forged iron lock plates and mounts. One of the smaller drawers is stained with ink meaning it would have stored an ink pen for receipts and accounting. Made with all Kiri (paulownia) wood.

Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions:... Click for details

Antique Japanese choba-ko tansu (small merchant's chest), made of natural Kiri (paulownia) hardwood (original finish). The chest holds a large open compartment with a single shelf behind two large doors, lined with 7 outer drawers. Each drawer opens by a squared, black iron handle. The smallest bottom-left drawer acts as a money collection box, with a coin slot right above it.

Edo Period (1680-1868) c1800

Dimensions: 23" L x 8.75" D x 20.5" H

Antique Chinese hardwood buffet cabinet, with two sets of front swinging doors, each with round lock plates and hinges. The interior of each side holds a single middle shelf, with two small drawers below.

Republic Period

Dimensions: 69” L x 18” D x 34” H

Japanese antique choba tansu (merchant's chest) with kannon-biraki cabinet doors (opening outward on hinges). The doors open to reveal one interior shelf. These door panels as well as the safe box door are both removable. (The hinge pins are built into the door side of the lock and slot into the hinges on the tansu frame.) There are 6 drawers of various sizes. The safe box on the lower right hand side has two additional small interior drawers. The tansu is made all of kiri (paulownia)... Click for details

Antique Japanese ko tansu (small chest of drawers). The piece is made with Sugi (cypress) hardwood top and sides, while the front is made with Kuri (chestnut) wood, with the original red lacquer finish and black lacquer frame. The piece holds five drawers of various sizes with heavy iron lingzhi form lock plates, and warabite style handles.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 25" L x 9" D x 22.75" H