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A 19th Century Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in London, GB
Japan, circa 1860
A mid nineteenth century Japanese Tansu chest of drawers, in pine wood, opening
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Pine
Two-Part Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted in Japan during the 20th century, this Kiri wood tansu chest is a fine example of Japan's
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Blanket Chests
Materials
Metal
Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in Faversham, GB
A superb Tansu chest from the late Edo to early Meiji period in kiri wood commonly known as the
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Oak
$3,274
Cedar and Pine Tansu Chest, Japan, circa 1890
Located in Culver City, CA
Cedar and Pine Tansu Chest
Japan, circa 1890
34.25”l x 18”d x 38.25”h.
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar, Pine
Antique Japanese Meiji Black Tansu Chest
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Japanese Meiji period six drawer tansu chest.
This façade showcases four large drawers followed
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
20th Century Japanese Tansu Chests on Custom Mounts
Located in Chicago, IL
A Tansu chest from Japan, separated with each piece on its own custom stand. Can be used as shown
Category
20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique Japanese Meiji period tansu chest of drawers dresser
Located in Yonkers, NY
Fine Japanese clothing tansu (chest of drawer), Sendai Prefecture, early Meiji period, ca 1870
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Tansu Chest from Japan, Showa Period, Mid-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A Tansu chest of drawers from Japan. Showa period, mid-20th century. Clear cedar, with elmwood in
Category
Vintage 1950s Japanese Showa Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Edo Period Tansu Chest in Cedar and Forged Iron
Located in London, GB
An Edo period Tansu chest, constructed from dark heavily patinated cedar with decorative forged
Category
Antique 1840s Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Late Meiji Period Keyaki Wood Traveling Tansu Chest with Seven Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese late Meiji period keyaki wood tansu chest from the late 19th century, with seven drawers
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Antique Japanese Meiji period tansu chest of drawers dresser
Located in Yonkers, NY
Fine Japanese Meiji period tansu chest of drawers ca 1870. The chest retains its original surface
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Meiji Period 19th Century Japanese Tansu Chest with Sliding Panels and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period tall tansu chest from the late 19th century, with drawers and sliding
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Japanese Meiji Period 19th Century Tansu Chest with Sliding Panels and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A tall Japanese Meiji period tansu chest from the late 19th century, with drawers and sliding
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Mounted Japanese Tansu Chest, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed to be versatile and portable, Japanese tansu chests were multipurpose storage cabinets
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Steel, Iron
Pair of 19th Century Tansu Chests with Fan Shaped Hardware
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of 19th Century Tansu Chests is from Japan and is made from Kiri Wood during the late
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Japanese Meiji Period Late 19th Century Tansu Chest in Sendai Isho-Dansu Style
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period tansu chest from the late 19th century in the Sendai Isho-dansu style, with
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Henredon Solid Pine 14-Drawer Japanese Tansu Chest of Drawers
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous 14-drawer Japanese tansu chest
By Henredon Furniture
USA, circa 1970s
Solid
Category
Late 20th Century American Anglo-Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Rare Pair of Meiji Period Keyaki
Elm
Tansu Chests
Located in San Francisco, CA
A good and rare pair of Japanese Meiji period keyaki (elm) wood tansu chests, each with beautiful
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
20th Century Japanese Tansu Chest in Two Parts
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted in Japan during the 20th century, this Kiri wood tansu chest is a fine example of Japan's
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Pine
$6,000 / item
Japanese Cedar Tansu Chest of Drawers, Edo Period, Late 18th Century
Located in New York, NY
A seven-drawer Japanese Tansu chest in cedar and elm wood. Edo Period, circa 1780. Original trim
Category
Antique 1780s Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Elm, Cedar
Vintage Japanese Tansu Chest, Three-Piece Set
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful vintage Japanese Tansu chest consisting three individual pieces that can be used
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Iron, Brass
$1,550 / set
Japanese Cherry Lacquer Tansu Chest, c. 1880
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed to be versatile and portable, Japanese tansu chests were multipurpose storage cabinets
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
This study and simple Tansu storage chest features a lightweight Fir Wood construction and black
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
$2,700
Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in Hudson, NY
Description: Japanese Sendai Chest, with iron hardware. 19th century.
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
$3,500
Japanese Meiji Period 19th Century Sendai Type Tansu Chest with Drawers and Safe
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period Sendai type tansu chest from the 19th century with ornate iron hardware
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Early 20th Century Japanese Tansu Chest on Custom Stands
Located in Chicago, IL
A Tansu chest from Japan, separated with each piece on its own custom stand. Can be used as shown
Category
20th Century Japanese Dressers
Japanese Meiji Two-Part Red Tansu Chest
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A Japanese Meiji two-part tansu chest from the mid 19th century, with Metal hardware of hand
Category
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th Century Tansu Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Six drawer chest with lock box. Beautiful handwrought iron hardware throughout.
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
$3,220
Japanese Lacquered Sendai Tansu Chest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed to be versatile and portable, Japanese tansu chests were multipurpose storage cabinets
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Iron
Japanese Matsumoto Stacking Tansu Chest, C. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed to be versatile and portable, Japanese tansu chests were multipurpose storage cabinets
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Iron
Japanese Sendai Tansu Chest with Floral Iron Hardware, C. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed to be versatile and portable, Japanese tansu chests were multipurpose storage cabinets
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Iron
Pair of Tansu Chests
Located in Chicago, IL
Tansu are Japanese chests, trunks or cupboards used for all types of storage. These chest were made
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Furniture
$3,980
19th Century Japanese Tansu, Chest of Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
All original, 19th century. Double stacked (two pieces) Japanese tansu cabinet with four drawers
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique Japanese Tansu Chest with 15 Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century Japanese shop chest. Original hand forged hardware. Hinoki wood. 15 Drawers for all
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Tansu, Chest of drawers, Late 19th Century
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Japanese Tansu cabinet in natural fir wood retaining original iron hardware, Meiji period, circa
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Japanese Tansu Chest on Stand, Early 20th century
Located in San Marino, CA
Japanese katanadansu, a low, wide chest originally designed to store sword blades without the hilt
Category
20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Charred Edo Period Wabi Sabi Tansu/Chest Of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A very well proportioned charred cedar & elm Japanese tansu from the early 19th C.
Both a
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Elm, Cedar
Late 20th Century Vintage Asian Hammered Metal Tansu Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fantastic vintage Asian chest of drawers. A chic natural wood cabinet with hammered metal
Category
Late 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Metal
Andrianna Shamaris Antique Japanese Wabi Sabi Wood Tansu Chest
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Kiri wood wabi sabi clothing chest from the 20th century in this hard to find miniature
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Japanese Tansu Chest, 19th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
Japanese tansu cabinet, chest of drawers, with classic lacquer finish, including the persimmon
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Cabinets
Materials
Iron
Vintage Nine-Drawer Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in Somis, CA
A vintage Japanese Tansu with nine elegant drawers.
The Meiji period piece has full capacity
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Black Japanese Tansu Chest, Meiji Period
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful vintage, Meiji Period, Japanese Tansu with seven full capacity drawers. Large, unique
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Part Charred Edo Period Tansu/Chest Of Drawers Wabi Sabi
Located in London, GB
A tall, 5 drawer part charred cedar & elm Japanese tansu from the early 19th C.
Both a beautiful
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Rare C. 1850 Antique Japanese 2-Part Tansu Chest with Original Patina
Located in Chicago, IL
Japanese storage tansu chests were used to hold clothing and other personal effects in a 19th
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Dressers
Materials
Pine
19th Century Korean Antique Tansu Chest / Semi-Closed Chest / Exhibition Stand
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
, etc.
It is the most orthodox shape of old Korean chests.
Regarding the condition of the item, part
Category
Antique 19th Century South Korean Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Chestnut, Pine
19th Century Tansu, Chest of Drawers, Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tansu with seven graduated drawers. All original hardware; hand-forged three leaf clover pulls
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Furniture
Pair of Tansu Chests on Iron Bases
Located in Chicago, IL
These handsome rectangular chests feature two drawers and detailed lock plates decorated with
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Furniture
Materials
Metal
Early Meiji Period Wabi Sabi Three Drawers Tansu/Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A nicely worn early Meiji period three drawer tansu.
Constructed in a combination of cedar
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Large Japanese Keyaki Wood Iron Mounted Tansu Chest with 8 Drawers
Located in San Francisco, CA
An outstanding Meiji period Japanese keyaki wood (elm) tansu of large size with 8 drawers, 3 large
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Meiji Period 19th Century Tansu Chest in the Sendai Dansu Style
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period tansu clothing chest in the Sendai Isho-dansu style, with hand-cut iron
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Vintage Japanese Low Tansu Chest with Iron Hardware
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful, Meiji Period, Japanese Low Tansu with two full size drawers. Large, unique, solid iron
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Vintage Japanese Tansu Chest with Sliding Glass Doors
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful vintage Japanese Tansu with five drawers and a pair of each glass and wood sliding
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Brass
Japanese Antique Black Storage 1860s-1920s/Tansu Chests of Drawers Sofa Table
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese storage.
It is an item from the Meiji era (1860s-1920s).
It is made of cedar trees.
A simple and beautiful drawer.
There is no waste.
It can also be us...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique Black Drawer 1800s-1860s/Tansu Chests of Drawers Wabi-Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese drawer.
It is from the Edo period (1800s-1860s).
It is made of walnut wood.
It is a beautiful drawer.
The design is simple and lean.
It is the ulti...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Japanese Meiji Period 19th Century Keyaki Wood Tansu Chest in the Sendai Style
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period keyaki wood tansu clothing chest in the Sendai Isho-dansu style, with hand
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Antique Japanese Tansu
Located in East Hampton, NY
Beautiful cedar clothing tansu chest in 2 pieces....
Category
20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
$2,450
Ueoki Tansu
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful two piece dark laquered tansu chest with upper sliding doors, eight drawers and
Category
20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
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Tansu Chests For Sale on 1stDibs
An assortment of tansu chests is available at 1stDibs. The range of distinct tansu chests — often made from wood, metal and cedar — can elevate any home. Tansu chests have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Tansu chests made by mid-century modern designers — as well as those associated with folk art — are very popular at 1stDibs. Not every interior allows for large tansu chests, so small tansu chests measuring 6.03 inches across are available at 1stDibs. Tansu chests have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Henredon, Baker Furniture Company and American of Martinsville are consistently popular.
How Much are Tansu Chests?
Tansu chests can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $2,492, while the lowest priced sells for $325 and the highest can go for as much as $28,000.
Finding the Right Commodes And Chests Of Drawers for You
Shopping for a commode or a chest of drawers?
Commode is the French term for a low chest of drawers, but it is also sometimes used to denote any case piece with a particularly intricate design. The commode dates to circa 1700 France, where it was used as an alternative to a taller cabinet piece so as to not obscure paneled, mirrored or tapestried walls. Coffers, or chests, which were large wooden boxes with hinged lids and sometimes stood on ball feet, preceded chests of drawers, a fashionable cabinet furnishing that garnered acclaim for its obvious storage potential and versatility. The term commode was also used to refer to a piece of bedroom furniture — a washstand or nightstand that contained a chamber pot.
As time passed, French and British furniture makers led the way in the production of chests of drawers, and features like the integration of bronze and ornamental pulls became commonplace. Antique French commodes in the Louis XV style were sometimes crafted in mahogany or walnut, while an Italian marble top added a sophisticated decorative flourish. This specific type of case piece grew in popularity in the years that followed.
So, what makes a chest of drawers different from a common dresser? Dressers are short, and chests of drawers are overall taller pieces of furniture that typically do not have room on the top for a mirror as most dressers do. Tallboys and highboys are variations of the dresser form. Some chests of drawers have one column of four to six long drawers or three long drawers in their bottom section that are topped by a cluster of small side-by-side drawers on the top. To further complicate things, we sometimes refer to particularly short chests of drawers as nightstands.
Even though chests of drawers are commonly thought of as bedroom furniture to store clothing, these are adaptable pieces. A chest of drawers can house important documents — think of your walnut Art Deco commode as an upgrade to your filing cabinet. Nestle your chest near your home’s front door to store coats and other outerwear, while the top can be a place to drop your handbag. Add some flair to your kitchen, where this lovable case piece can hold pots, pans and even cookbooks.
When shopping for the right chest of drawers for your home, there are a few key things to consider: What will you be storing in it? How big a chest will you need?
Speaking of size, don’t dream too big. If your space is on the smaller side, a more streamlined vintage mid-century modern chest of drawers, perhaps one designed by Paul McCobb or T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, may best suit your needs.
At 1stDibs, we make it easy to add style and storage to your home. Browse our collection of antique and vintage commodes and chests of drawers today.
Questions About Tansu Chests
- What is a step Tansu?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021A step Tansu is also known as a step Tansu chest. It originated in Japan with simplistic design and multi-purpose use. Step Tansu has a storage chest that doubles as a staircase to climb to higher-level rooms. Add aesthetic appeal to your home decor with a step Tansu chest or other storage pieces from 1stDibs.
- What is a Tansu chest?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021Tansu refers to Japanese portable storage chests. When tansu became a well-known feature of life in Japan — the chests’ emergence is said to be rooted in the Genroku era of the Edo period (1688–1704) — the country’s traditionally minimalist households had little to no proper seats, tables, or other pieces of furniture. Tansu were intended to be multipurpose cabinets. These case pieces were used to store things of everyday utility, such as clothing and various personal items. Tansu are regarded as collectible furniture with a timeless appeal. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary Tansu from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- What is a tansu chest used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A tansu chest is a Japanese cabinet designed for easy transportation and can store a variety of items, including clothes and personal items. Tansu chests often feature multiple compartments to keep items organized. Shop a selection of authentic tansu chests on 1stDibs.
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