Items Similar to Japanese Antique Edo period Drawer Chest 1830s-1844s / Sideboard Tansu Wabisabi
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 20
Japanese Antique Edo period Drawer Chest 1830s-1844s / Sideboard Tansu Wabisabi
$1,800
£1,344.06
€1,548.18
CA$2,511.82
A$2,655.64
CHF 1,427.07
MX$31,894.64
NOK 17,869.42
SEK 16,351.84
DKK 11,561.48
About the Item
This is a very old Japanese chest of drawers.
On the inner side of one drawer, a clearly handwritten inscription reading “天保(Tenpō)” remains intact, indicating that the piece was crafted during the Tenpō era of the Edo period (1830–1844). While it is not uncommon to find Meiji-period furniture today, it is extraordinarily rare—almost miraculous—to encounter a Tenpō-era chest preserved in such remarkable condition.
The chest is made from kiri (paulownia), a premium wood used for high-quality furniture of the time. Lightweight, easy to handle, resistant to humidity, and protective of its contents, kiri was traditionally favored for storing garments and valuables. The handles and metal fittings are made of iron, and even after nearly 200 years, they display a deep, dignified patina that adds a powerful accent to the overall presence of the piece.
The black coating has naturally worn away in places over time, allowing the warm tones of the underlying wood to emerge. This “landscape of wear” reveals the accumulation of long years of use, creating a visual depth that simply cannot be replicated artificially. The corner fittings, the iron handles, and the countless small scratches formed through daily interaction all harmonize as traces of time—together evoking the feeling of an abstract painting.
It is evident that the chest was cherished and carefully repaired many times throughout its long life. The interior wood remains surprisingly well-preserved, retaining its functional integrity even after two centuries. All drawers have been meticulously adjusted to open and close smoothly, and the piece has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, ensuring it can be used with confidence.
The soft texture of kiri wood, the profound black patina shaped over 200 years, and the rusted character of the iron fittings—every element exists in quiet harmony, making this piece a true embodiment of the wabi-sabi aesthetic.
Weight: 18 kg
__________________________
Our Philosophy
Objects always tell the truth.
All I can do is just to face with them sincerely and give
them deep affection as much as I can.
There is no boundary of nationalities and of eras in beauty.
But I think now is the time we choose 'Japanese style' and it
will be the best way to remind us of what we are losing
today and to question us about an essence of beauty again.
I hope that you can touch the memories which the objects here have,
feel and think of something invisible but exists undoubtedly.
- Dimensions:Height: 26.58 in (67.5 cm)Width: 30.32 in (77 cm)Depth: 16.74 in (42.5 cm)
- Style:Edo (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1830s-1844s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Chōsei District Nagara, JP
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU10403247947852
About the Seller
4.8
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2017
1stDibs seller since 2025
77 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 3 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Chōsei District Nagara, Japan
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllJapanese 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 (1860s-1900s). The material is cedar wood and the handles are made of iron.
The design i...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
$520 Sale Price
30% Off
Japanese Antique Drawer Chest 1860s-1920s / Tansu Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an antique Japanese drawer chest, crafted in the Meiji to Taishō period (1860s–1920s). It carries a quiet presence shaped by many decades of use. The piece is made from tradi...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
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 (1860s-1920s) and is made of cedar wood. The handles are made of iron.
The lean, linea...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
$560 Sale Price
30% Off
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-1920s), and is a piece of furniture with a long history that still has a strong presen...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
$1,440 Sale Price
42% Off
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 periods (1860s-1920s) and is made of cedar wood.
Iron is used for the handles, and t...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
$560 Sale Price
37% Off
Japanese Antique Chest of Drawers 1860s-1900s / Tansu Nightstand Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old drawer storage made in Japan.
This furniture was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s) and is a valuable piece of furniture that has transcended time and remains ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
$680 Sale Price
32% Off
You May Also Like
Japanese Antique BK Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Very old Japanese drawer storage.
The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
The main material is cedar wood.
The handles are made of iron.
The design is ultimately simpl...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique BK Small Drawer 1860s-1900s / Tansu Storage Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese black drawer storage.
The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is probably from the Tohoku region of Japan.
The material is mainly cedar w...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Very old Japanese small drawer storage.
The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is made of cedar wood.
The handles are made of iron.
The design is ultimately simple...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique Drawer / Storage Tansu / 1912s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an antique Japanese-made drawer.
It is made from cedar, and the date "Meiji 45 (1912s)" is written in ink on the bottom of the drawer at the time.
Through years of use, it ...
Category
Vintage 1910s Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
Japanese Antique BK Small Drawer 1860s-1900s / Tansu Storage Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Very old Japanese small drawer.
This furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is made of cedar wood.
The drawer is tasteful, rustic, simple and beautiful.
There is no wa...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique BK Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Very old Japanese small drawer storage.
The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is made of cedar wood and pine.
The handles are made of iron.
This is almost in its o...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar, Pine
