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A Pair of Tansu Japanese Cabinets
Located in Cathedral City, CA
A pair of Tansu Japanese cabinets with drawers. Ideal for side tables or night stands.
Category
Vintage 1940s Japanese Japonisme Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Bronze
$3,800 / set
Persimmon Wood Tansu Cabinet w/ Brass Fittings
Located in New York, NY
Persimmon wood chest with multiple drawers and 2 cabinets. With brass fittings.
Category
Early 20th Century Korean Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Japanese Apothocary Tansu Chest
Located in Seattle, WA
Japanese apothecary chest (kusuri dansu) with unusually large square drawers. The chest consisting
Category
Japanese Apothecary Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Japanese Shop Chest Choba Tansu
Located in Seattle, WA
A Japanese shop chest, choba dansu, crafted entirely of sugi (cryptomeria) wood. The tansu with a
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Vintage Japanese Kiriwood Isho Tansu Chest
Located in Brattleboro, VT
Versatile and elegant Japanese Kiriwood Isho Tansu chest.
The ingenuity of Japanese joinery
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Cabinets
Materials
Metal
Antique Japanese Personal Merchant
s Tansu Chest
Located in Harbor Springs, MI
The Merchant’s Chest, also called a Tansu, has origins dating back to Japan’s Meiji period and is
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Cabinets
Materials
Iron
Pair of Baker Furniture Asian Tansu Chest
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Baker furniture Asian Tansu chest with metal accent, one of the top door swing open from
Category
20th Century Central American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Materials
Oak
$2,220 / set
Japanese Kuruma Tansu Large Wheeled Storage Chest
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Kuruma-dansu, a wheeled storage chest traditionally kept in the Kura (storeroom
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Furniture
Materials
Chestnut, Cypress
Japanese Yonezawa Tansu 2-Section Clothing Storage Chest
Located in New York, NY
Japanese 2-section chest-on-chest for clothing storage (isho kasane-dansu) from Yonezawa
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Iron
Japanese Yonezawa Tansu 2-Section Clothing Storage Chest
Located in New York, NY
Large Japanese 2-section chest-on-chest for clothing storage (isho kasane-dansu) from Yonezawa
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Iron
Cedar Keyaki Chest Japanese Meiji Tansu Dresser Storage Drawers
Located in Monterey, CA
This lacquered cedar and kayak clothing chest (Sendai Isho Dansu) is from the Sendai, Miyagi
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Cedar
Large Japanese Rosewood Taisho 3-Section Tansu Clothing Storage Chest
Located in New York, NY
Large Japanese 3-section clothing chest, crafted of chestnut and cedar with the entire facade of a
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Furniture
Materials
Chestnut, Elm, Rosewood
Korean Bandaji Hardwood Tansu Storage Chest
Located in Astoria, NY
Korean Bandaji hardwood storage tansu chest, 19th century, with drop-front panel with a large
Category
Antique 19th Century Korean Chinese Export Blanket Chests
Materials
Metal
Japanese Tansu Storage Chest (19th Century - Edo Period) Wabi Sabi
Located in London, GB
Japanese Tansu Storage Chest (Edo Period - 19th Century). Tansu are traditional portable wooden
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Furniture
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
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
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
Paul McCobb Planner Group Dresser on Bench
By Paul McCobb
Located in Oakland, CA
design is Paul McCobb's interpretation of the Japan Tansu storage chests. They present very well and have
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Materials
Maple, Lacquer
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
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
$3,291
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
19th Century Korean Tansu Bandaji Chest
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome 19th century Korean Tansu style Bandaji chest or blanket chest constructed from elm
Category
Antique 19th Century Korean Campaign Blanket Chests
Materials
Iron
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
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 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 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
Rare Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in Stamford, CT
A rare late 18th-early 19th century Japanese Tansu chest of drawers with enameled iron, silk and
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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
20th Century Tansu Chest
Located in New York, NY
This case piece is a Tansu chest from Japan. It is pinewood with patinated metal and cast iron
Category
20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron, Metal
$1,196
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 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
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
20th Century Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
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Pagoda Red Collection #: BTF032
Keywords: Tansu, chest, dresser, commode
Category
20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Natural Wood Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in East Hampton, NY
Elegant natural wood tansu chest in two pieces.
Category
Mid-20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
19th Century Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in East Hampton, NY
Exceptional two part tansu chest with blackened steel hardware....
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Steel
Japanese Black Lacquer Tansu Chest.
Located in Hudson, NY
Japanese Black Lacquer Tansu Chest with Gold Leaf and Mon Design.
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Lacquer
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
Pair of Japanese Tansu Chests
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Japanese black lacquer and gilt mon motif 5 drawer tansu chests with original brass
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
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
Oversize 19th Century Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in East Hampton, NY
19th century Japanese Tansu chest of drawers.
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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
Japanese Antique Cabinet / Cho-ba tansu / Storage WabiSabi
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
hidden storage are behind the three drawers.
Red, black, and brown are familiar with changes over time
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood, Cedar, Pine
Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Very old Japanese drawer storage.
The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
Material is
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
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
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
19th Century Korean Tansu Elmwood Chest with Brass Trim
Located in Buffalo, NY
The antique Korean Bandaji, or blanket chest is handcrafted in wood and embellished with original
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Korean Other Blanket Chests
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
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 19thC
Ko Tansu
Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A Meiji period Kirinoki wood and forged iron 'Ko Tansu' chest of drawers.
Japan, Circa 1880.
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Other, Iron
Japanese Tansu Chests with Black Lacquer fronts
Located in Hudson, NY
Japanese Tansu Chests with Black Lacquer fronts, c. 1880
Overall measures: 34 ½” x 16” x 48
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Lacquer
Japanese Antique Drawer / Tansu Storage / Meiji Period Wabi-Sabi
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese drawer.
It seems to be around the Meiji period (1868-1912s).
It is made of cedar, and the front of the drawer peels off the paint due to friction due to agi...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Antique Drawer / Storage Tansu / 1868-1912s / Wabi-sabi
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese drawer.
The material is made of Zelkova, and it is characterized by a strong wood grain and a different color for each front plate of the drawer.
Only one b...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
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
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
Japanese Antique Storage Drawer 1860s-1900s / Tansu Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a drawer storage made in the Meiji period (1860s-1900s), using abundant Japanese zelkova
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Antique Slim Drawer 1860s-1920s / Tansu Storage Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Very old Japanese slim drawer storage.
The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1920s
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Tansu, Chest of drawers, Late 19th Century
Located in Kastrup, DK
1868-1912
The Tansu is a traditional mobile storage cabinetry indigenous to Japan.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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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
- 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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More Ways To Browse
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Large Primitive Cabinet
1800s Antique Cedar Chest
Baker Tansu
Chest On Metal Stand
Japanese Campaign Chest
Japanese Carved Chest
Kimono Storage
Korean Wedding Cabinet
Tansu Iron Stand
Tansu Pair
18th Century Japanned Commode
1940 Cedar Chest