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Japanese Antique Black Tansu 1860s-1900s/Chests of Drawers Wabisabi mingei
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese chest of drawers.
It is a piece of furniture from the Meiji era
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique Large Tansu 1860s-1920s/Chests of Drawers Cabinet Mingei
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese black large chest of drawers.
It is from the Meiji period (1860s-1920s
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Japanese Antique Large Tansu 1800s-1900s/Chest of Drawer Cabinet Shelf Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a large black tansu from Japan.
Made of cedar tree.
Furniture from the Edo period to the
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Cabinets
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique Tansu 1860s-1900s / Cabinet Chests of Drawers Wabi Sabi Mingei
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese Tansu.
The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is made
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets
Materials
Cedar
19th Century Japanese Large Double Tansu with 18 Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century tansu consisting of two stacked tansus. A fantastic shop chest that would make a very
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Furniture
Materials
Wood
Japanese Tansu Chests
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Beautiful pair of Japanese Tansu chests. These are out of a great Palm Springs estate. These are
Category
20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
$5,000
Japanese 19th Century Tansu Chest
Located in East Hampton, NY
This handsome Japanese tansu chest was stripped of its red finish and waxed, giving it a simpler
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Metal
Late 19th Century Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Japanese wood Tansu chest of drawers with original iron hardware. Made in Japan circa 1870s.
Category
Antique 1870s Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Burled Elm Tansu Chest
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Japanese Meiji period elm wood tansu chest, early 20th century. With a black painted top above 4
Category
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Beautiful Japanese Tansu Chest with Two Drawers.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Japanese Tansu Chest with two drawers. Made of light Kiri wood and iron.
Category
20th Century Japanese Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Meiji Two-Part Red Tansu Chest
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Japanese Meiji two-part tansu chest from the mid 19th century, with round medallion hardware
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Japonisme Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Meiji Era Tansu Chest
Located in Peabody, MA
A late 19th century, Meiji period merchant's tansu chest in elmwood with remarkable metalwork inset
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Chic Black Lacquered Pre-War Japanese Clothing Tansu Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chic black lacquered pre-war Japanese clothing tansu chest. Made of lacquered Kiri (Paulownia) wood
Category
Vintage 1930s Japanese Japonisme Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Antique Tansu Chest of Drawers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
An antique painted softwood tansu chest of drawers with original black and deep red paint
Category
Antique 1860s Japanese Campaign Dressers
Japanese Early 20th Century Six-Drawer Tansu Chest with Iron Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Japanese tansu chest from the early 20th century, with six graduating drawers and iron
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Meiji Late 19th Century Tansu Chest with Drawers and Sliding Doors
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period wooden tansu chest from the late 19th century, with six drawers, sliding
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
Japanese Meiji Period 19th Century Red Lacquer Tansu Chest with Iron Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period six-drawer tansu chest from the 19th century with iron hardware and red
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Meiji Period 19th Century Black and Brown Tansu Chest with Nine Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period two-toned tansu chest from the 19th century with black and brown finish
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Lacquered Tansu Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
. Tansu are Japanese storage chests designed to be mobile, with different styles specially suited to the
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
$2,880
Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
A gorgeous mid-20th century Japanese pine tansu stacked chest with five drawers total, and black
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Pine
$3,800
Early 20th Century Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
Traditionally designed to be portable and functional, Japanese tansu chests were versatile storage
Category
Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Iron
Seven Drawer Japanese Tansu Chest with Iron Hardware
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1920s Japanese Tansu chest of drawers has three full width drawers at the top with two
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Furniture
Materials
Iron
Vintage Japanese Tansu Chest with Seven Drawers, Natural Finish
Located in Somis, CA
Beautiful Japanese Tansu chest features seven full length drawers and two sets of sliding doors
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Iron
Late 19th Century Meiji Period Kasane Tansu Chest on Chest
Located in Peabody, MA
A late 19th century, Meiji period Kasane Tansu chest on chest from the Yonezawa region of Japan
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Iron
Japanese Meiji 19th Century Kiri Wood Merchant
s Tansu Chest with Iron Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period kiri wood tansu merchant's chest from the late 19th century, with iron
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese 19th Century Meiji Period Tall Five-Drawer Clothing Tansu Chest
Located in Yonkers, NY
A tall Japanese Meiji period tansu clothing chest from the 19th century, with five drawers, dark
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Iron
Vintage Japanese Tansu Chest, 2 Tone, with Iron Hardware
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful vintage Japanese Tansu chest with four full capacity drawers. The visual contrast is
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Iron
Japanese Tansu Chests Night Stands Set of Two
Located in Somis, CA
A set of two vintage Japanese tansu chests. The two chests are identical except one has a slightly
Category
20th Century Japanese Furniture
Materials
Wood
All Original C. 1850 Japanese Tansu Chest, 2 Parts
Located in Chicago, IL
stands. When separated, the two drawer sets make excellent side chests.
Japanese storage tansu chests
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Pine
Antique 19th Century Japanese Tansu Chest, Wabi Sabi, Cedar Wood, Meiji Era
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful patinated wooden small tansu from Japan. Tansu chests are very popular throughout Japan
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Primitive Dressers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Tansu Chest in 2 parts
Located in East Hampton, NY
Wonderful old two part Japanese tansu with side locks.... can be separated for use as nightstands
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Amazing Restored Pair of Vintage Modern Tansu Chests by Baker
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fabulous modern interpretation of the traditional Japanese "Tansu" chest by Baker, circa 1970
Category
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Materials
Wrought Iron
1860s-80s Japanese antique wabi sabi Black Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
From Kanto or Tohoku area, Japan.
This mid-size, black Urushi lacquered Tansu chest of drawers is
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
1860s-80s Japanese antique mid size Urushi Tansu chest of drawers, wabi sabi
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Mid-size, Dark reddish brown Urushi lacquered Tansu chest of drawers made of Sugi cedar - a product
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Late 19th Century Japanese Ko Tansu Chest
Located in Sacramento, CA
Late 19th century Japanese Ko Tansu wooden chest of drawers. The chest has five drawers and one
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Metal
1860s-80s Japanese Edo antique wabi sabi Black Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
From Toyama pref., Hokuriku area, Japan.
This mid-size, black Urushi lacquered Tansu chest of
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Japanese antique mid-size tansu chest of drawers, 1849. late Edo era. wabi sabi
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
This 175 years-old Tansu chest of drawers, is a product of late Edo period.
Made of thick, quality
Category
Antique 1840s Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood, Cedar
1860s-1910s Japanese antique wabi sabi Black Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
From Hokuriku area, Japan.
This tansu chest of drawers seemed to be in the vein of Kusuri dansu
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood, Cedar
1852 Edo Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
From Tohoku area, Japan.
Mid-size, dark reddish brown Urushi lacquered Tansu chest of drawers
Category
Antique 1850s Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Large Charred Edo Period Tansu/Chest Of Drawers
Located in London, GB
An unusually tall, 6 drawer charred cedar & elm Japanese tansu from the early 19th C.
Both a
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
19th Century Japanese Shop Tansu, Chest of Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century Japanese double stacked (two tansus) with drawers. Can be separated into two separate
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Japanese Antique, Tansu , Chest of Drawers Meiji Period, 1879
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This is a very old tansu. It was made in Japan in the 12th year of the Meiji era (1879).
It has a
Category
Antique 1870s Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
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
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 Antique BK Drawer 1860s-1920s/Tansu Chest Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese drawer.
It is an item of the Meiji era (1860-1920)
The material is paulownia wood, which is a high-class material.
The shade of black is beautiful and the ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Japanese Meiji Period 19th Century Tansu Chest with Sliding Chest and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
Japanese Meiji period Tansu clothing chest from the 19th century with two sliding doors, six
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Antique Small Drawer 1860s-1920s/Tansu Chest of Drawers Cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
An old Japanese small drawer.
It is an item of the Meiji era (1860s-1920s)
The material is cedar.
The shade of black is beautiful and the taste is wonderful.
The drawer also ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s/Tansu Chests of Drawers Storage Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese drawer.
It is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is made of cedar wood.
It is miraculous that all the handles are still intact.
These drawers a...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique Black Drawer 1860s-1900s / Tansu Chests of Drawers WabiSabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese drawer storage.
It is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is mainly made of cedar wood.
The handle fittings are made of iron.
The design is simp...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
A Large Two Section Cedar Wabi Sabi Japanese Tansu/Chest Of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A large heavily patinated two part Japanese Meiji period tansu.
Constructed in cedar with brass
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass, Iron
1860s-1920s Japanese antique rustic wabi sabi mid tansu chest of drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Antique mid-size tansu with 4 drawers - product of Meiji to Taisho period (estimate 1868-1926
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Antique Japanese Low Tansu Chest with Iron Pulls
Located in Somis, CA
A 19th century Japanese low Tansu with two large exterior drawers and 2 small drawers behind a lift
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Iron
Meiji Japanese Low Tansu Chest, Crane Bamboo Hardware
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful vintage, Meiji Period, Japanese Low Tansu with two full size drawers. Large, unique
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Vintage Japanese Tansu Chest with Four Pullout Trays
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful vintage round corner Japanese Tansu with four shallow pullout trays and three full
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Iron, Brass
Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Chests of Drawers Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese drawer.
It is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is made of cedar wood.
The handles are made of iron.
These drawers are rugged and beautiful.
The de...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s / Tansu Chests of Drawers Wabi Sabi Storage
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese drawer.
It is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is made of walnut wood.
The handles are made of iron.
These drawers are rugged and beautiful.
...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
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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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