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Vintage Japanese Tansu Chest in Natural Finish, Set of Two
Located in Somis, CA
An elegant vintage Japanese Tansu consists two individual chests that can be used separately
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Vintage Japanese Tansu Chest, Dresser with Four Trays and Drawers
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful vintage Japanese Tansu dresser with four shallow pullout trays and four full capacity
Category
20th Century Japanese Furniture
Materials
Wood
Japanese Antique Wooden Drawer / Tansu Chest / 1868-1926 / Meiji Era
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a Japanese drawer made around the Meiji-Taisho era (1868-1926) in Japan.
Very simple and beautiful shape.
Drawers can be taken in and out smoothly.
There are no major defect...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Cedar
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.
The condition is good without any major
Category
Antique 19th Century Korean Archaistic Furniture
Materials
Pine
Japanese Tansu with Hand Forged Hardware
Located in Chicago, IL
This two part Tansu chest is from Japan and was made from pine wood, circa 1900. The piece features
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Pine
Henredon Solid Pine 14-Drawer Japanese Tansu Chests of Drawers, Pair
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of 14-drawer Japanese tansu dresser chests
By Henredon Furniture
USA, circa
Category
Late 20th Century American Anglo-Japanese Dressers
Materials
Brass
20th Century Japanese Old Shelf Drawer / Tansu Chest / Wooden Exhibition Stand
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is made of paulownia wood and cedar wood.
The front is made of paulownia wood, the sides and back are made of cedar, and the top is made of cedar.
It is from the early to mid Show...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Furniture
Materials
Other
Meiji Japanese Tansu Chest, Eight-Drawer with Black Iron Hardware and Key
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful vintage Japanese Tansu with eight full capacity drawers. The finish is an unique orange
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Japanese Tansu with Black Color Hardware
Located in Chicago, IL
This two part Tansu chest is from Japan and was made from paulownia wood, circa 1900. The piece
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Metal
19th C. Bleached-Out Two Part Japanese Tansu Wabi Sabi
Located in London, GB
A bleached-out 19th C. (early Meiji) Japanese two part campaign tansu/chest of drawers
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Japanese Tansu with Black Color Hardware
Located in Chicago, IL
This two part Tansu chest is from Japan and was made from paulownia wood, circa 1900. The piece
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Japanese Tansu with Black Hardware
Located in Chicago, IL
This two-part Tansu chest is from Japan and was made from pine wood, circa 1900. The piece features
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Metal
Pair of 19th c. Japanese Chests
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great pair of narrow 33" high matching tansu chests. Can be separated or stacked for one tall chest
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Isho Tansu
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Red lacquered tansu (chest of drawers)used for storing clothes.
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Dressers
Materials
Iron
Pair of Tansu Bedside Tables
Located in Houston, TX
(Meiji period) tansu chests (sendai-dansu) in hard keyaki elm with interior drawers of sugi wood
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
$7,400 / set
Japanese Two Section Tansu from Nihonmatsu Meiji Era
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
19th century Meiji period Japanese two-section Tansu chest in lovely original condition.
The two
Category
Antique 1880s Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Tansu with Tsuru-Kame Decoration
Located in Peabody, MA
An antique 19th century Japanese Meiji period two piece tansu chest in red lacquer and akamatsu
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Two-Piece Tansu Cabinet with Sliding Doors and Eleven Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese antique two-piece Tansu chest cabinet from the 19th century with two sliding doors, 11
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Aka Dansu
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful two piece red laquered tansu chest with two sliding doors, 11 drawers and security
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Meiji Period Two-Part Tansu Clothing Chest with Butterfly Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period two-part tansu clothing chest from the 19th century, with round medallion
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Metal
Japanese Tansu with Black Hardware
Located in Chicago, IL
This two-part Tansu chest is from Japan and was made from pine wood, circa 1900. The piece features
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Sideboards
Materials
Metal
Pair of 19th Century Japanese Choba Tansu on Custom Steel Stands
Located in Chicago, IL
Tansu chests. Crafted from exquisite pine and fine iron fittings and hardware, each chest represents the
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Steel, Iron
19th Century Korean Chest
Located in Houston, TX
work and handles. This rare blanket chest is similar to a Japanese Tansu chest and is finished in a
Category
Antique 19th Century Korean Cabinets
Materials
Nickel
Japanese Tansu Cypress Chest
Located in Sheffield, MA
Japanese Tansu red cypress chest has black iron fittings including locks and 1 large drawer, 1
Category
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Meiji Merchant
s Chest or Tansu
Located in London, GB
A Meiji period portable merchant's chest or "Tansu" in kiri wood with wrought iron mounts and
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Henredon Tansu Style Mahogany Campaign Chest
By Henredon
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Midcentury tansu style mahogany campaign chest by Henredon. Features a low, two drawer design with
Category
20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Korean Tansu Scholar
s Chest Asian Cabinet
Located in West Hartford, CT
Asian scholar's chest configured with four upper drawers over lower cabinet. Beautifully appointed
Category
Mid-20th Century Korean Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Elegant Pre-War Japanese Tall Tansu Clothing Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Pre-War Japanese Tall Tansu Clothing Chest.
Category
Vintage 1930s Japanese Japonisme Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique Japanese Tansu Clothing Chest Bo Ishu-Dansu
Located in Portland, OR
Antique clothing chest with upper locking drawers. Taller than standard indicating this was made
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Metal, Iron
Japanese Antique Medicine Chest 1860s-1900s/Chests of Drawers Storage Tansu
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A drawer containing old Japanese medicine.
Furniture from the Meiji era. (1860s-1900s)
The materials are zelkova and cedar.
This is very rare.
It's a miracle that all the drawe...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Fine Japanese Edo Period Keyaki Choba Tansu
Merchant
s Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine Japanese late Edo period keyaki wood (elm) Choba tansu (merchant's chest) with multiple
Category
Antique 1850s Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Antique Black Medicine Chest 1800s-1860s / Tansu Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
perspective.
This is a very old black medicine chest made in Japan.
The furniture is from the Edo period
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Tansu
Located in San Marino, CA
Japanese Tansu
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers
$1,900
Japanese Antique Black Drawer Chest 1716s-1736s / Tansu Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a very old Japanese black wooden chest of drawers. The entire piece carries a profound
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Antique Tansu 1860s-1920s / Chest of Drawer Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old chest of drawers made in Japan.
This piece of furniture dates back to the Meiji
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Chestnut, Cedar
Japanese Antique Medicine Chest / Tansu Drawer Cabinet / 1887-1896s Wabi-Sabi
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese medicine chest.
It's called "Medicine Tansu" in Japan.
The medicine tansu
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Copper, Iron
Japanese Tansu Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
A Tansu cabinet from Japan. Four drawers with ornate hardware. Meiji period (late 19th-early 20th
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Thai Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
$5,937
19th Century Tansu
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th c. hinoki wood low tansu shop cabinet, all original hardware. Twelve drawers, bamboo nail
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Commodes and Chests of Drawers
$4,545
Antique Japanese Tansu
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th c. tansu with four drawers on contemporary iron base. Beautiful iron work! Can work as a pair
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
$3,740
Japanese Edo Tansu
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Japanese edo tansu with the date marked on the bottom, 1840. Two sections of drawers that can be
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
$2,900
19th Century Tansu
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th c. Japanese tansu with four drawers on contemporary iron base. Beautiful iron work! Can work
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
$3,740
19th Century Tansu
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th c. Japanese tansu on iron base. Consists of two pieces with a total of four large drawers and
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
$3,740
Elegant Persimmon Tansu
Located in San Francisco, CA
An elegant Japanese persimmon wood clothing tansu in 2 parts, the upper stage consisting of 3 long
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
$2,950
Japanese Antique Tansu 1800s-1860s/Chests of Drawers Cabinet Sideboard Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Japanese old tansu with wheels.
It is called "KURUMA NAGAMOCHI" in Japan.
Furniture from the end of
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Japanese Antique Tansu 1800s-1860s/Chest of Drawers Cabinet Sideboard Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese chest.
In Japan this is called "Kuruma Nagamochi".
Furniture from the end
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Late Meiji Period Tansu Clothing Chest with Sliding Doors and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
An Antique Japanese Meiji period Tansu clothing chest from the early 20th century, with iron
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Antique Chests of Drawers 1860s-1900s/Tansu Commodes Cabinet Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese drawer.
Furniture from the Meiji era. (1860-1900s)
The material is like cedar.
It is a simple and beautiful design.
The drawer moves smoothly.
Colors u...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique Craftsman Chests of Drawers 1860s-1900s/Tansu Storage Cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese craftsman's drawer storage.
This item is from the Meiji era (1860s-1900s).
It is made of cedar wood.
It looks like Japanese craftsmen used to store their t...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique Chests of Drawers 1800s-1860s/Tansu Storage Cabinet Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese drawer.
It is an item from the Edo period (1800s-1860s).
It is a simple and beautiful drawer.
There is no waste.
This is black and beautiful.
Why is it...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique Chests of Drawers 1860s-1920s/Tansu Commodes Cabinet Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese drawer.
Furniture from the Meiji era. (1860-1920s)
The material is like cedar and zelkova.
Japan at that time was very poor, and only wealthy families coul...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Japanese Antique Chests of Drawers 1860s-1920s/Tansu Storage Cabinet Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese drawer.
It is an item from the Meiji era (1860s-1920s).
It is made of cedar wood.
Simple and beautiful furniture with no waste.
The drawers move smoot...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique Chests of Drawers 1800s-1860s/Tansu Storage Cabinet Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese drawer.
It is an item from the Edo period (1800-1860s).
It is made of cedar wood.
A simple and beautiful drawer.
There is no waste.
This is black and b...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique Tansu 1860s-1900s / Chests of Drawers Cabinet Box Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Japanese old large box.
It was made in the Meiji era (1860s-1900s).
It is made of paulownia wood, which is famous for its high-class materials.
It has insect repellent and deodora...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1920s/Tansu Storage Chests of Drawers Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese craftsman drawer storage.
The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1920s).
It is made of cedar wood.
It appears to have been used by Japanese craftsme...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique Chests Of Drawers / Tansu Storage / 1868-1912s / Wabi-Sabi
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese cabinet.
It seems to be around the Meiji period, and the material is made of cedar.
There are 20 drawers of 3 different sizes.
The handle is a black metal ...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Antique Wooden Chest of Drawers/1868-1920/Meiji Period/Tansu
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
We have a unique Japanese aesthetic sense.
And only we can introduce unique items through our purchasing channels in Japan and the experience we have gained so far, in such a way tha...
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique Small Chests of Drawers 1860s-1900s /Tansu, Wabi-Sabi
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This small drawer was produced in the Meiji period.
This furniture was made by applying traditional techniques used in Japanese shrines. Our craftsmen have carefully repaired it.
T...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
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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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