Antique Japanese tansu chest, made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. The tansu has four large drawers, the bottom two of which are locked with a vertical locking bar also made of kiri wood. The two top drawers have wonderful large iron lock plates in the shape of peony flowers with raised flower buds. The corners of each drawer are reinforced with chrysanthemum shaped ironwork. The lower right side has a safe box with a hinged door reinforced with iron cross bracing. The drawer pulls are square in form and hand foraged. On the top drawer, a house shaped owner's brand can be seen. The same mark is repeated on the side of the tansu. Nigata Area. Edo Period. Size" 40 1/2" high x 42" wide x 17" deep.