An antique Japanese Kuruma Choba Tansu (wheeled merchant chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the full moon style lock plate and interior Warabite handles. Hinged doors open to a 12 sectional compartment area where valuables were organized and stored. Below are two drawers where additional storage was used. At the base lies two metal retractable pulls used to roll the tansu forward and backwards with wheels corresponding the the same movement below. This is a very unusual and rare wheel design since most wheeled chests were made to travel sideways.
Age: Late Edo Period (1850-1860)
Dimensions: 34 1/2" Wide by 38 1/8" High by 17" Deep