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Japanese Antique Large Medicine Chest 1874s / Tansu Drawer Wabi-Sabi
$8,000
£6,091.83
€7,014.58
CA$11,336.70
A$12,194.25
CHF 6,516.96
MX$143,735.43
NOK 82,163.59
SEK 75,113.12
DKK 52,410.77
About the Item
This is a large antique Japanese medicine chest (kusuri-tansu). The overwhelming sense of volume and the disciplined repetition of its many drawers elevate it beyond the realm of ordinary storage furniture, giving it a commanding presence that anchors an entire space. When viewed from the front, it conveys a quiet yet powerful dignity, while the richly aged surface of the wood adds remarkable depth and character shaped by the passage of time.
On the side panels of the drawers, the handwritten inscription “明治七年” remains clearly visible, allowing this piece to be definitively dated to 1874. Medicine chests with such a precisely identifiable year of production are extremely rare. As such, this piece stands as a valuable historical artifact, conveying the craftsmanship and daily life of early modern Japan in an almost unchanged form.
Another particularly noteworthy feature is the material: this chest is made of cedar (sugi). Most medicine chests from this period were typically constructed from paulownia due to its superior resistance to insects, making cedar examples exceptionally uncommon. The gentle, flowing grain unique to cedar appears throughout the piece, lending warmth and natural variation to a form that can otherwise appear uniform and rigid.
The state of preservation is truly remarkable. All drawer pulls are intact, with none missing or damaged, and there are no signs of insect damage anywhere on the piece. For a medicine chest of this age, such near-pristine condition is extraordinarily rare and can rightly be described as exceptional.
All drawers have been carefully adjusted and now open and close very smoothly. The entire chest—including the interiors of the drawers—has been thoroughly cleaned, ensuring it is hygienic and ready for use. While some interior photographs are included, the overall condition throughout is consistently excellent.
The iron handles mounted on both sides of the furniture are no longer movable due to age-related rust. Please regard them as decorative elements rather than functional handles.
Enduring for well over a century without losing either function or beauty, this piece embodies the very spirit of wabi-sabi. While originally created as a utilitarian object, it now possesses the presence and value of an irreplaceable and extremely rare art piece—one that cannot be replicated or encountered again.
The item will be carefully and securely packed and shipped from Japan.
Weight: approximately 60 kg
- Dimensions:Height: 43.71 in (111 cm)Width: 57.49 in (146 cm)Depth: 11.42 in (29 cm)
- Style:Meiji (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1874s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Chōsei District Nagara, JP
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU10403248377162
About the Seller
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- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Chōsei District Nagara, Japan
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