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Antique Japanese Chobako (merchant's box) with five drawers; two small drawers side by side on the top over three drawers in a vertical row. This box is made all of Hinoki (Japanese Cypress) wood with the exception of the drawer interiors which are made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood.
The drawers graduate in size with the smallest on the upper portion of the box and the largest on the bottom. An interesting and unique feature Is how the round iron lock plates mimic this graduation of size with the smallest on the top two drawers and the largest lock on the bottom drawer. Traditionally the lock plates of the bottom three drawers would be of equal size making this box a special custom made piece for the previous owner.
Iron hardware also includes corner bracing on the frame and Warabite shaped drawer pulls. Evidence that this box was once used to store writing materials can be seen with the wonderful ink marks on the inside of the drawers. It would have been important to have locking drawers to keep things like signature seals safe.
Age: Late Edo Period (circa early 1800's)
Dimensions: 18" high x 12" wide x 15 1/4" deep
The drawers graduate in size with the smallest on the upper portion of the box and the largest on the bottom. An interesting and unique feature Is how the round iron lock plates mimic this graduation of size with the smallest on the top two drawers and the largest lock on the bottom drawer. Traditionally the lock plates of the bottom three drawers would be of equal size making this box a special custom made piece for the previous owner.
Iron hardware also includes corner bracing on the frame and Warabite shaped drawer pulls. Evidence that this box was once used to store writing materials can be seen with the wonderful ink marks on the inside of the drawers. It would have been important to have locking drawers to keep things like signature seals safe.
Age: Late Edo Period (circa early 1800's)
Dimensions: 18" high x 12" wide x 15 1/4" deep
SOLD
item #1428936
