Skip to main content

Tansu Storage Chests

to
38
349
33
704
3
7
2
2
1
1
10
328
364
3
282
38
17
3
2
5
9
3
3
6
6
2
612
282
268
197
70
658
653
629
21
20
704
704
704
10
5
1
1
Sort By
Antique Narrow Japanese Tansu
Located in Cambridge, US
Japan, ca. late 19th century. A fabulous tall and narrow tansu from the late Meiji Period in old
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Japanese Taishō Tansu Chest in Isho-Dansu Style with Six Drawers and Safe
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Taisho period single section tansu clothing chest from the early 20th century in Isho
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

1840s-1860s Edo Japanese antique wabi sabi desk organizer Tansu chest of drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Japanese antique shallow Tansu chest of drawers with 4 shelves - made of quality red pine &
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Chestnut, Pine

1886 (Meiji 19) Japanese antique dougu tansu, tool chest of drawers wabi sabi
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
From Daigo, Ibaraki pref., Japan. Antique dougu tansu, tool chest of drawers made of Yamizo Sugi
Category

Antique 1880s Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Cedar

1860s-1910s Meiji Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
From Kanto or Tohoku area, Japan. This mid tall size, Urushi lacquered Tansu chest of drawers is a
Category

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

Materials

Wood

1860s-1910s Meiji Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
From Tohoku area, Japan. This mid-size, dark reddish brown Urushi lacquered Tansu chest of drawers
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Cedar

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

19th Edo Japanese wabi sabi dougu Kusuri Tansu, Tool medicine chest of drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
tool chest or medicine chest, made of thick, fine grade reddish Sugi cedar. The rustic surface of this
Category

Antique 1860s Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Sendai Tansu, Meiji Period
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very good example of a Meiji Period Sendai Tansu in Keyaki wood. This one-part tansu
Category

Antique 1880s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wrought Iron

Sendai Tansu, Meiji Period
Sendai Tansu, Meiji Period
$4,517 Sale Price
35% Off
Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in Greensboro, NC
Japanese Tansu Chest. Beautiful patina, very solidly built and in very good vintage condition
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Organic Modern Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese todana tansu - 19th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Antique Japanese todana tansu - 19th Antique - Oriental Decoration Measures : 97cmx44cm H:53cm
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Wheeled Storage Chest / Sideboard Tansu / 1868-1912s Wabi-sabi
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This storage furniture, known as a "kurumanagamochi" (cartridge), has been used in Japan since
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Iron

Unusual Tall Meiji Period Japanese Tansu Wabi Sabi
Located in London, GB
A tall Japanese tansu/chest of drawers of highly unusual proportions . Four drawers with storage
Category

Antique 19th Century Spanish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Tansu Jewelry Chest
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An elegant Japanese Tansu Jewelry chest. Made of Japanese elm-keyaki. Handles on the sides, top
Category

Vintage 1960s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Cabinets

Materials

Elm

Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1920s / Tansu Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an antique Japanese drawer chest from the Meiji period (1860s–1920s). Crafted from
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1920s / Nightstand Tansu Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old drawer storage made in Japan. It was made between the Meiji and Taisho periods
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique NT Tansu 1920s-1940s / Natural color / cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese-made cabinet. It was made in the early Showa period (1920s-1940s). It features traditional Japanese design. The wood pattern is used in an interesting way ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Small Drawer 1860s-1920s / Tansu Nightstand Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a small drawer storage made in Japan. It was made between the Meiji and Taisho periods
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Small Drawer 1860s-1920s / Nightstand Tansu Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a small drawer storage made in Japan. The furniture was made between the Meiji and Taisho
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Small Drawer 1860s-1900s / Tansu Nightstand Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old small drawer storage made in Japan. The furniture was made in the Meiji period
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Large Drawer 1860s-1920s / Tansu Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a Japanese made drawer storage. It was made between the Meiji and Taisho periods (1860s
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Tansu / Drawer Cabinet / 1868-1912s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese drawer. It has been used in stores since the Edo period in the Tohoku region, and it is estimated that it was made around the Meiji period. The material is ...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Meiji Two-Part Japanese Tansu in Cypress Kiriwood from the Yamagata Prefecture
Located in Milford, NH
A fine two part Japanese tansu chest in cypress and kiriwood, the upper part with oxblood stained
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal, Iron

Antique Japanese low display stand w/ drawer, Okidoko tansu, wabi sabi mingei
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Antique "Okidoko"- wooden low display stand with drawer from Tohoku area, Japan. Manufactured in Circa 1900s to 1920s (Taisho to early Showa period) , estimate from the style c...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Hardwood

Antique Korean Tansu Bandaji Storage Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Korean Tansu Bandaji Storage Chest Featuring an antique Korean Tansu Bandaji Chest with
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Wood

Kaidan Tansu Japanese Stair Chest, Japan, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
This rare Kaidan Tansu is an original 19th-century Japanese stair chest from the Meiji period
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Cabinets

Materials

Wood

19th Century Japanese Meiji Era Tansu Merchant Chest
Located in Fort Collins, CO
Constructed from Cypress and Elm, this merchant’s chest features blackened iron hardware with two
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Massive Tansu Chest 1860s-1900s / Cabinet Cupboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a large, old black tansu chest made in Japan, dating to the Meiji period (1860s–1900s
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Cedar

Vintage Henredon Tansu Asian Campaign Style Chest of Drawers Dresser
By Henredon
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Vintage Henredon Tansu Asian Campaign Style Chest of Drawers Dresser Dimensions : 72" Long X 30
Category

Vintage 1970s American Anglo-Japanese Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Miniature Japanese Taishō Period Zebra Wood Tansu Chest with Sliding Doors
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Taisho period zebra wood miniature tansu chest from the early 20th century, with sliding
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Cabinets

Materials

Zebra Wood

1870s-1900s Japanese antique Mizuya tansu chest sideboard wabi sabi primitive
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Single tier Mizuya tansu is made from premium quality, reddish Sugi Cedar, the product of circa
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Cedar

1870s-1900s Japanese antique large Mizuya tansu chest. wabi sabi primitive
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
than a typical Mizuya tansu, Having storage capacity with wide deep drawers on the bottom. The
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Cedar

1870s-1900s Japanese antique Mizuya tansu chest sideboard wabi sabi primitive
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
New finds from Tohoku area, Japan. This single tier Mizuya tansu is made from premium quality
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Cedar

1870s-1900s Japanese antique Mizuya tansu chest sideboard Wabi sabi primitive
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
New finds from Tohoku area, Japan. This single tier Mizuya tansu is made from premium quality
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Antique Late 1800s Japanese Cedar Tansu Chest of Drawers Dresser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Late 1800s Japanese Cedar Tansu Chest of Drawers Dresser Country: Japan Materials
Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Baroque Dressers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Meiji Period Keyaki Wood Tansu Clothing Chest in the Sendai Style
Located in Yonkers, NY
storage, this Japanese Meiji period Tansu clothing chest circa 1880 will bring an exotic touch to any home.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Iron

1890-1930s Japanese antique large Mizuya tansu chest, wabi sabi shelf, primitive
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Japanese Antique Mizuya tansu chest / side board, From Kanto area, Japan. Made from premium
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Taisho Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Japanese 19th Century Zebra Wood Tansu Chest with Sliding Doors and Open Shelves
Located in Yonkers, NY
secret storage. Created in Japan during the 19th century, this tansu chest features a linear silhouette
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Cabinets

Materials

Zebra Wood, Glass, Wood

Antique Korean Elm Brass Bound Bandaji Nong Tansu Scholars Chest Wedding Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
Fine Mid 19th century Korean Tansu Nong Bandaji tallboy chest. Made from Zelkova Elm frame with
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Korean Chinoiserie Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Antique Late 1800’s Japanese Cedar Tansu Chest of Drawers Dresser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Late 1800’s Japanese Cedar Tansu Chest of Drawers Dresser Country: Japan Materials: Wood
Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Dressers

Materials

Iron

Antique Late 1800’s Japanese Rolling Tansu Chest of Drawers Dresser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Late 1800’s Japanese Rolling Tansu Chest of Drawers Dresser Country: Japan Materials
Category

Vintage 1980s Japanese Dressers

Materials

Iron

20th C. Korean Style Tansu Chest with Iron Mounts, Collection of Plácido Domingo
Located in Morristown, NJ
Korean Style Tansu Chest with Iron Mounts, c. 1965–1985 — From the Collection of Plácido Domingo A
Category

Vintage 1970s Korean Modern Cabinets

Materials

Metal

1900s-30s Japanese antique 2 tier Hardwood mid Mizuya tansu chest. wabi sabi
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Japanese antique 2 tier mid size Mizuya tansu chest with 3 drawers. Almost fully made of premium
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Cedar, Hardwood

Taishō Period Japanese Mizuya Tansu Kitchen Chest in Sugi Wood with Sliding Door
Located in Yonkers, NY
A beautifully constructed Japanese kitchen cabinet, known as a mizuya tansu, from the Taishō period
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Cabinets

Materials

Metal

1900s-30s Japanese antique 2 tier mid Mizuya tansu chest. wabi sabi primitive
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
., Japan. This Mizuya tansu is made from premium quality, reddish Sugi Cedar, the product of circa 1900s
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Cedar

20th Century Japanese Elm Tansu Chest of Drawers Cabinet Set 3 parts Wabi Sabi
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Early 20th Century Japanese Tansu chest of drawers with an amazing wood grain and natural aged
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Organic Modern Cabinets

Materials

Iron

19th Cen. Edo Japanese 2-tier large black Mizuya Tansu, wabi sabi kitchen chests
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
prefecture, Japan. This 2-tier large Mizuya tansu (Kitchen chest) is the product of mid to late Edo period
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Cedar, Pine

20th Century Vintage Jewelry Storage Mahogany Tansu Chest with Original Lock
Located in Lomita, CA
. Originating in the Edo period, they served as storage for clothing, valuables, and tools. Tansu chests were
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Brass

20th Century Korean Elmwood Rice Chest Storage Bin Tansu Altar Cabinet Locks
Located in Dayton, OH
for storage. The interior is paper lined with calligraphy. The chest is made using mortise and tenon
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Iron

Japanese 19th Century Lacquered Sendai Clothing Tansu with Elaborate Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
Sendai clothing tansu chest offers convenient storage while bringing an exotic touch to any home. The top
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique Korean Tansu Chest
Located in Sarasota, FL
The Tansu Korean CHEST is hand made of elm with heavy brass trim and handles to the sides, having
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Korean Other Blanket Chests

Materials

Elm

Japanese Shop Chest Tansu
Located in Seattle, WA
An unusual and early Japanese kuruma dansu, wheeled chest from the Fukui-Mikuni region. The sugi
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Todana Tansu
Located in Brussels , BE
Antique Japanese todana tansu. 2 sliding doors with wide horizontal slats. Iron hardware.
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Minimalist Blanket Chests

Materials

Iron

Kiri Wood Tansu
Located in New York, NY
Kiri Wood Tansu with Original Brass Fittings
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Elmwood Two-Tier Tansu
Located in New York, NY
Elmwood Tansu with Brass fittings.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Kiriwood Three Level Tansu
Located in New York, NY
Kiriwood multi-level tansu with drawers, sliding door cabinets, and original iron handles and
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

19th Century Japanese Kimono Tansu
By Japanese Studio
Located in Washington, DC
Striking two section, kiri wood tansu with hand forged iron and bronze decorative hardware. chest
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze, Iron

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Tansu Storage Chests", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Tansu Storage Chests For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of tansu storage chests for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and iron, all tansu storage chests available were constructed with great care. There are all kinds of tansu storage chests available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. There are many kinds of tansu storage chests to choose from, but at 1stDibs, Mid-Century Modern, Folk Art and Modern tansu storage chests are of considerable interest. There have been many well-made tansu storage chests over the years, but those made by Henredon, Baker Furniture Company and American of Martinsville are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much are Tansu Storage Chests?

Tansu storage chests can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $3,740, while the lowest priced sells for $590 and the highest can go for as much as $11,800.

Finding the Right Commodes-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 Storage Chests
  • 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.

Read More

37 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name

Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.

The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home

Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.

What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?

The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.

This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once

Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.

Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition

Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.

Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way

Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.

Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture

In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.

These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project

From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.