Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made of kuri (chestnut) wood in warm brown lacquer finish. Each drawer face is decorated with elegant iron hardware accenting. The middle of the chest has two sliding doors with a center locking pin, with two more drawers and shelving within. Keys are included. Dates from late Edo period c1850. Size: 28" height, 30" width, 16.25" depth

The Hiramaki-e technique, which dates from the latter part of the Heian Period (794-1185), was preceded by Togidashi maki-e, a technique in which not only the design, but the whole surface is covered with clear lacquer after the sprinkling of metal powder. The lacquer is then polished down to reveal the design.

The Japanese letter box is decorated in low relief of mountainous terrain and a stylized linear mist or cloud line. The interior ground is lacquered and sprinkled with gold... Click for details

Stunning Antique single section burl keyaki bar tansu from the Nigata region of Japan. The front panels are beautiful quarter sawn burl keyaki hardwood.. Top and bottom drawers have central hand forged kiri leaf mon (family crest) over iron locks. Original finish in stunning warm translucent lacquer tones.

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Size: 36" height X 34.25" width X 17" depth

Very Unusual Antique Japanese large safe box made all of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood, door has elaborate six drop-in hinges (when door is unlocked it can be lifted completely off), other hardware inlcludes heavy iron cross and corner bracing, heavy side handles, and warabite shaped drawer pulls on the two interior drawers, the outside of the box is finished with it's original reddish orange translucent lacquer finish. Edo Period (circa 1850's) Size: 41 1/2" high (42" high including... Click for details

Rare Antique Japanese two section isho tansu (clothing chest) from Sado Island. Beautiful burl keyaki (elm) wood front with original lacquer finish, interior all kiri (paulownia) wood, four large drawers with three smaller drawers on the right, safe box in lower right hand corner with three small interior drawers also with keyaki fronts and iron hardware. One drawer has a secret compartment. Unusually beautiful and elaborate iron hardware with pierced, incised and raised details: the top two... Click for details

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made with solid keyaki wood on entire front and top with beautiful patina and dramatic grain. The top drawer and locking bar have elaborate iron hardware including locks with one key. The locking bar has ironwork in the form of a stock of bamboo and locks three drawers. The bottom portion of the chest has sliding panels with vertical slats and the lower right of the chest has a safe box with two small interior drawer also made of keyaki wood.... Click for details

A rare and beautiful kiri (paulownia) wood tansu from the Matsumoto region of Japan. The tone and texture of the wood grain pairs nicely with the elaborate iron hardware. Its drawers pull open with sturdy iron "mokko" melon style handles with large incised backplates. Two drawers towards the bottom of the piece secure into place with a short locking bar. The drawer interiors are been lined with old rice paper. All original finish and hardware and in excellent condition. Edo Age c1850. Size:... Click for details

Antique Japanese cho bako made of keyaki (elm) wood with beautiful grain and original translucent lacquer finish, iron hardware including edge bracing, lock plates, hirute shaped drawer pulls on the front, warabite shaped handles on the sides. Five drawers with one drop in panel and hidden compartment. Comes with one key. From the Sakata area of Japan. Edo Period. Size: 17 1/2" high x 21 3/4" wide x 16 1/2" deep.

Japanese keyaki and persimmon wood choba tansu, beautiful keyaki grain on front with a frame that is edged in persimmon wood, there is a compartment with sliding panels made of solid burl wood with a stepped shelf on the interior, the safe box has a key and two small interior drawers also with keyaki wood fronts, inside the safe box is a very hidden secret compartment (detail shows writing on hidden panel door). Meiji Period. Size: 32 3/4" high x 32" wide x 14 1/4" deep.

Rare Japanese keyaki wood choba tansu with 15 exterior drawers (3 interior drawers) and a locking bar, keyaki (elm) wood front and frame with dramatic grain and lacquer finish, elaborate iron metal wood including moko shaped drawer pulls, locking bar has iron work with bamboo motif, the safe box has a key and the three small drawers on the inside are made all of kiri wood with handles to match the front exterior, Edo Period, Makuni area. Size: 38" high x 34" wide x 14 3/4" deep.