Antique Japanese pair of rare black lacquer dowery tansu for clothing. These fine lacquer cabinets would have held folded clothing and been carried to a brides home containing her dowery of fine textiles. Hinged doors open to reveal 4 shelves inside. Hardware includes 5 hinges on each door, corner bracing, handles for carrying by hand and by pole, and large lock plates all of which are incised with scrolling floral details and made of bronze. Finished inside and out with black lacquer and decorated with gold gilt family mon (crests) of three dots - Hoshi (star) and a variation of Kaji (paper mulberry leaf). These were the husband's and wife's family mon in honor of their wedding and the bringing together of their two families. Each chest sits on a wood and black lacquer base.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 42" high x 39" wide x 21" deep (including stands)