An antique Japanese 3 section Isho Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Upper section has two sliding doors behind which is a 1/2 split level shelf with 3 side by side drawers below. Center and bottom sections each have 2 large drawers for abundant clothes storage. All original bronze and iron hardware with an acquired original patina.
Age: Late Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)
Dimensions: 35 3/4" Wide by 55 3/4" High by 15 3/8" Deep
An antique Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware. Three drawers with a pair of hinged doors that open to a spacious interior with two side by side drawers. This area was used to store the merchant records and books while all the drawers were used to secure valuables and provide easy access to merchant tools and accessories.
Age: Late Meiji-Taisho (1910-1920)
Dimensions: 29 3/4" Wide by 29 3/4" High by 14 3/4" Deep
Japanese antique small single section mizuya tansu (kitchen chest), hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood frame, with beautiful keyaki (elm) wood drawer fronts, three compartments with sliding panels all with black lacquer frames: top sliders with keyaki wood panels, middle sliders with textured glass, bottom sliders with glass backed by wooden lattice work; 6 drawers of various sizes, warabite shaped drawer pulls, Taisho Period.
Size: 43 1/4" high x 32" wide x 13 7/8" deep.
An antique Japanese Ranma (transom) made of Akita Sugi (Cryptomeria from Akita prefecture) and Hinoki (Cypress). Natural Urushi black lacquer frame. Hand carved scene featuring a good luck turtle with longevity tail admiring an old Plum Blossom tree with scatterings of Bamboo underneath.
Age: Taisho Era (1912-1920)
Dimensions: 73 1/4" Wide by 14 1/2" High.
A unusual example of an antique Japanese three section Tansu chest called Ishodansu made of Toneriko (Japanese Ash) and Katsura woods. Original bronze hardware including the Warabite handles and the kissing duck handle backplates. This one-of-a-kind Tansu highlights Yosegi (Marquetry) incorporated into the beautiful Japanese Ash burl. Upper section has two horizontal rolling siding doors hiding a split level display shelf with three side by side drawers below...
Antique Japanese Funa Tansu (ship safe chest) made from beautiful Kuri (Chestnut) wood. It has two front sliding panels with an iron lock in its center, and two handles incised auspicious designs. The interior is shelved with a side locking drawer, accented with red lacquer. Three drawers run along the bottom of the chest with squared kakute style iron handles.
Size: 22 3/4" high x 26 1/2" wide x 17 3/4" deep.
A gorgeous Japanese isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai region, with a red lacquer Sugi (cedar) frame and Keyaki (elm) front drawers in its original, rich honey finish. Each drawer opens with mokko (melon) style handles on lotus back plates, and is adorned with elaborate scrolling vine iron locks. The bottom safe box holds three red lacquer front drawers, and hides away a secret back compartment.
Meiji period (1868-1912)
Size: 46.5" L x 23.5" W x 34.5" H
Antique Japanese kyodai (vanity box with mirrors). With three hinged mirrors that close inward. The back mirror swivels up and down. The box has 8 drawers of various sizes. The box is carved with peony flowers. The backs of the mirror panels are carved so that when it is closed they display large peony flowers on one panel and a fu-dog on the other. Carved all over with a faceted texture and finished with red and black negoro lacquer...
Japanese small kiri storage box with a bamboo carrying handle. It has two small squared drawers, one long, thin bottom drawer with a warabite handle, and a lift away panel with a spacious storage area.
Size: 12.5" height, 11.5" width, 6.25" depth
Antique Japanese gyosho bako, or merchant's chest, in a tall and slender style with many drawers. It is made of kiri (paulownia) wood with a dark brown lacquer. The drawers bear an emblem faded from age, perhaps once used to label the contents inside. The very bottom drawer has an iron locking plate. Edo age (1615-1867).
Exhibited in Palo Alto Cultural Center.
Size: 36" height, 11" width, 14" depth
Japanese tall Kiri wood Hibachi, low relief Lacquered Bird on Grape vine, Ca. late Meiji period, 1910's, 11 1/4" high, 5 1/2" wide-widest part, 4 1/2" x 5" wide-top rim, the condition is good.
Japanese antique large bench carved all over with dragons in swirling clouds, a total of 8 dragons, large oni demon face and birds flying over waves on apron just below seat, seat lifts up for storage, a beautiful and dramatic piece, Meiji Period.
Size: 46" high x 57" wide x 23" deep.
Antique Japanese kyodai (box with drawers and mirror). Made with burled mulberry wood with intricate grain. The interior is all kiri (paulownia) wood with a wiped lacquer finish inside the drawers. The box has 5 drawers of various sizes for storing personal items. The spandrel under the mirror is carved with a bird flying in front of a full moon and tall grasses. Original beveled glass mirror which swivels up and down...
Antique Japanese two-section Mastumoto tansu, made from sugi (cedar) wood with mokko (melon) handles mounted on elaborate handle backplates typical to the region, large round center lock plates with incised kiri leaf mon, or family crests. It has the original red lacquer finish and is extremely shiny.
Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)
Size: 42.5" height, 34" width, 16.5" depth
Antique Japanese small very fuctional storage box made of kiri (paulownia) wood with a warm brown lacquered finish. The style of handle on each of its drawers is called 'hirute'. Meiji age (1868-1912)
Size: 14.5" height, 12" width, 15.75" depth
Antique Japanese Unusual Solid Keyaki storage Box. Original condition and finish. Shows natural wear for a piece of this age. Two small drawers for storage with iron hardware. Open face top for storage of papers.
Meiji Period
Dimensions: 8" High X 16 1/2" Long X9 1/2" Deep
Japanese small headside box for storage of small personal items, three small drawers, nice grain, Taisho Period.
Total size: 8" high x 13 1/4" wide x 9 1/2" deep.
Antique Japanese Yonezawa two-section lacquered tansu. Made from Kiri wood (paulownia) front with Sugi (cedar) wood frame Its drawers open with iron mokko/melon style handles, and with large, round lock plates incised with kiri leaf mon as well as fan-shaped corner hardware. Side lockbox has two small drawers within.
Original Charming lacquer finish.
Late Edo early Meiji Period (circa 1850's - 1900)
Size: 45.25" height, 44" width, 16.75" depth