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Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1920s/Tansu Chest of Drawers Cabinet Wabisabi Art
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 Old Small Drawer 1860s-1920s/Antique Tansu Chest of Drawers Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese small drawer. It is an item of the Meiji era (1860-1920) The material is cedar. There is a handle on the top so that you can carry it around. The shade of...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1920s/Tansu Chest of Drawers Cabinet Wabisabi Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese 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 Tansu Chest /1868-1912/ Drawer / Tv Board / Low Table / Mingei
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a drawer made around the Meiji era (1868-1912) in Japan. It seems that it was used as a tool box. I feel very lonely. It can be used as a TV board or low table. There a...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1920s/Tansu Chest of Drawers Cabinet Wabisabi Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese drawer. It is an item from the Meiji era, (1860-1920) The material is cedar. The shade of black is beautiful and the taste is wonderful. The condition i...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1920s/Tansu Chest of Drawers Cabinet Wabisabi Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese drawer. It is an item of the Meiji era (1860-1920) The materials are cedar and zelkova. The shade of black is beautiful and the taste is wonderful. The ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s/Tansu Chests of Drawers Wabi-Sabi Cabinet
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 grain of the cedar wood on the front is beautiful. The design is si...
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 cedar wood. It is a rugged and beautiful drawer. The design is simple and lean. It is th...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Meiji Period 19th Century Tansu Three-Drawer Chest with Handles
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period tansu chest from the 19th century, with three drawers, carrying
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Japanese 19th Century Meiji Tansu Traveling Chest with Multiple Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period tansu traveling chest from the 19th century with multiple drawers, and iron
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Antique Japanese Tansu Chest with Iron Hardware, Meiji Period
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful antique, Meiji period, Japanese Tansu with four large full capacity drawers. Unique
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Iron

Vintage Japanese Low Tansu Chest, Five Drawers, Sliding Doors
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful vintage, Meiji period, Japanese low Tansu with a large compartment and five full
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Iron

Low Four-Drawer Japanese Tansu Chest in Natural Finish
Located in Somis, CA
An elegant vintage Japanese Tansu in natural finish. Beautiful solid wood. Simple, elegant, solid
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Japanese Old Black Drawer / 1868-1920s / Tansu Chest / Mingei
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 th...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Early 20th Century Keyaki Wood Tansu Traveling Chest with Four Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese antique keyaki wood tansu chest from the early 20th century, with dark red lacquer
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Vintage Meiji Japanese Tansu Chest, Two-Tier Stackable Five Drawers
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful vintage Japanese Tansu with five full capacity drawers. The chest consists of two
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Iron

Japanese Exquisite Burlwood Antique Four-Drawer Tansu Chest, 100% Original
Located in South Burlington, VT
! This is an antique handcrafted wooden chest tansu with fine lines and a multitude of storage features
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood

Versatile Pair of Tansu Chests by Baker Furniture, circa 1960s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of modernist chests in the Japanese Edo era "tansu" style by Baker, circa 1960. Dark oak
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Korean Tansu Chest of Nine Drawers in Elm and Persimmon
Located in Peabody, MA
An elegant Korean tansu in elm and persimmon wood with chased brass hardware, consisting of nine
Category

20th Century Korean Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Brown Black Japanese Tansu Chest with Iron Hardware, 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

Large Vintage Japanese Tansu Chest, 3-Piece Set, Chests of Drawers
Located in Somis, CA
Beautiful 5' tall Meiji Period Japanese Tansu with 10 drawers of various sizes, shelve behind
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Brass

Japanese Meiji Period 19th Century Keyaki Wood Tansu Three-Drawer Clothing Chest
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period keyaki wood tansu clothing chest from the 19th century, with three drawers
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Taishō Period Early 20th Century Keyaki Wood Tansu Clothing Chest
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Taisho period keyaki wood tansu clothing chest from the early 20th century, with seven
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Pair of Antique Meiji Period Japanese Tansu Low Chests
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of antique late 19th century Meiji period lacquered Tansu chests. Originally a two part
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Vintage Meiji Japanese Tansu Chest in Natural Finish, Two Interlocking Tiers
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

Iron, Brass

Japanese 19th Century Meiji Kiri Wood Tansu Clothing Chest with Multiple Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period kiri wood two-section tansu clothing chest from the 19th century with
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

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 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

Japanese Antique Black Cabinet 1860s-1900s / Tansu Chests of Drawer Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese black storage cabinet. This furniture is from the Meiji Period (1860s-1900s). It is made of cedar wood. Simple and beautiful, with no extra decoratio...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Cedar

Japanese 19th Century Meiji Period Sendai Clothing Tansu with Bronze Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
bronze hardware. Born in Japan during the 19th century, this wooden Tansu chest is a fine example of
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Late Edo Period-Meiji Period Japanese Old Storage Box /Small Antique Tansu Chest
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
We have an aesthetic sense peculiar to Japanese people. And we introduce the unique items that only we can do, the route of purchasing in Japan, the experience value so far, and the...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Furniture

Materials

Cedar

19th Century Korean Kyonggi Province Bandaji Chest
Located in Rio Vista, CA
wrought iron pierced grill work and iron handles. This rare blanket chest is similar to a Japanese Tansu
Category

Antique 19th Century Korean Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Japanese Meiji Period Natural Wood Tansu Clothing Cabinet with Iron Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
Meiji period Japanese tansu chest will bring a serene presence to any bedroom, living room or foyer.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

A 2-Part Japanese Tansu
Located in Chicago, IL
This late-19th Century Japanese Tansu chest was used to store clothing and other personal effects
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 Sideboards

Materials

Metal

Vintage Japanese Tansu with Eight Drawers and Sliding Doors
Located in Somis, CA
Beautiful vintage Japanese Tansu chest features eight drawers and sliding doors. Two Interior
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Iron

1860s-1910s Japanese antique cabinet, wabi sabi tansu medicine chest of drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
This large shop cabinet, tansu chest of drawers, is in the vein of Kusuri dansu (Medicine
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Cypress

Japanese 19th Century Kiri Wood Tansu Clothing Chest with Three Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese kiri wood tansu clothing chest from the 19th century with three drawers and brass
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood

Japanese Step Tansu Double Sided
Located in Somis, CA
This is a wonderful double-sided Japanese Step Tansu chest. Full storage capacity with 7 drawers of
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Early 20th Century Japanese Iron Bound Tansu
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed to be portable and functional, Japanese tansu chests were versatile storage cabinets used
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Furniture

Materials

Iron

Henredon Pan Asian Tansu Campaign Mahogany Bachelor Chest
By Henredon
Located in Southampton, NJ
A bachelor chest in the Japanese Tansu style by Henredon of Morganton, North Carolina, USA. Made
Category

Vintage 1980s American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century Six-Drawer Japanese Tansu Shop Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wide six-drawer shop chest with original bamboo nails and decorative iron hardware. A handsome
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

" Tansu " Japanese
Located in Kastrup, DK
Japanese Tansu , pinewood with original iron hardware. " Meiji period " 1868 - 1912 gentle restored
Category

20th Century Japanese Japonisme Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Japanese Antique Tansu 1860s-1920s / Chest of Drawer Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
old chest with drawer storage. This furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1920s). It is mainly
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Wooden Drawer/1800-1912/Wabisabi Storage Chest/Tansu
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese wooden drawer. It was made roughly from the late Edo period to the Meiji period (1800-1912). It is made of cedar wood and has a beautiful rustic grain. A...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Chest of Drawer 1860s-1920s / Tansu Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This account is operated by five different companies. I, on the other hand, specialize in Japanese antiques and selected items. With 20 years of experience, I am re-proposing Japanes...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Medicine Chest / Drawer Tansu / 1800-1868s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese medicine chest, which is called "medicine tansu" in Japan. The black part
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Cedar, Straw

Japanese Antique Medicine Chest / Drawer Tansu / 1868-1912s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese chest called "medicine chest" in Japan. It is believed that it was
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Taishō Tansu Clothing Chest in Isho-Dansu Style with Five Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Taisho period wooden tansu clothing chest from the early 20th century in Isho-dansu
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Tansu 1800s-1900s/Chests of Drawers Cabinet Shelf Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a black chest from Japan. Made of cedar tree. Furniture from the Edo period to the Meiji
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Tansu 1800s-1860s/Chest of Drawers Cabinet Sideboard Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a Japanese chest with old wheels. In Japan, this is called "Kuruma Nagamochi". Furniture
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Black Chests of Drawers, 1800s-1860s / Tansu Storage Cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese drawer. It is an item from the Edo period (1800s-1860s). It is made of cedar trees. A simple and beautiful drawer. There is no waste. This is black and...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Chests of Drawers 1860s-1900s/Tansu Storage Cabinet Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese drawer. It is an item from the Meiji era (1860s-1900s). It is made of cedar trees. A simple and beautiful drawer. There is no waste. The drawers move s...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Tansu 1800s-1860s/Chests of Drawers 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 made of paulownia wood. A simple and beautiful drawer. There is no waste. This is black ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Chests of Drawers 1860s-1900s / Tansu Storage Mingei Cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese drawer. It is from the Meiji era (1860s to 1900s). It is made of paulownia wood, a high quality material. It is a simple design with no waste. It is...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Chests of Drawers 1860s-1900s / Tansu Storage Mingei Cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese drawer. This item is from the Meiji era (1860s-1900s). It is made of cedar wood. This is a very old Japanese drawer. It is from the Meiji era (1860s to 1...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Tansu 1800s-1860s/Chest of Drawers Cabinet Sideboard Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Japanese breast with old wheels. In Japan, it is called "car longevity". Furniture from the end of the Edo period. (1800s-1860s) It is an era called "the end of the Edo period." ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

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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
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021
    A 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
    Tansu 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A 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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