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Japanese Antique Large Black Tansu 1860s-1900s / Sideboard Cabinet Wabisabi
$5,800
£4,425.56
€5,034.40
CA$8,145.08
A$8,913.81
CHF 4,710.17
MX$106,392.20
NOK 60,107.58
SEK 54,973.28
DKK 37,604.38
About the Item
This is a large, old Japanese black chest (Tansu) made in the Meiji period (1860s–1900s). It is crafted from sugi (Japanese cedar), a traditional material in Japan. Over the years, the soft and warm grain characteristic of cedar has developed a deep luster and rich patina, giving the piece a truly one-of-a-kind presence.
The design is minimalist and unadorned, emphasizing pure simplicity. The slatted sliding doors on the front are particularly striking, evoking the refined beauty found in traditional Japanese architecture. Composed entirely of straight lines, the structure embodies simplicity—a perfect balance of serenity and strength. The doors slide smoothly, and the interior shelves make it fully functional as a storage cabinet.
This chest has clearly been carefully maintained and repaired through generations. The deep black tone that covers the entire surface was created naturally over time by soot from an old hearth (irori). This subtle blackish-brown hue cannot be reproduced artificially; it absorbs light softly and conveys the quiet accumulation of time. The gentle abrasions and small marks on the surface are traces of long use—signs of beauty born from age.
On the left side, there are a few small holes, which are old nail marks, not insect damage. There are traces on the back where a portion was cut away long ago due to how it was used at the time. That section has been repaired with an old piece of rusted galvanized metal, which blends beautifully with the overall aged character of the piece.
The piece has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, so it is ready for safe use. Beyond its function as furniture, it can serve beautifully as a gallery or shop counter, or even as a standalone art piece.
This tansu embodies the Japanese aesthetic of “wabi-sabi”—finding beauty in imperfection, quietness, and the passage of time.
Weight: approx. 50 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: 34.65 in (88 cm)Width: 68.9 in (175 cm)Depth: 22.84 in (58 cm)
- Style:Meiji (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Cedar,Woodwork
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1860s-1900s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Chōsei District Nagara, JP
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU10403247128082
About the Seller
4.8
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Established in 2017
1stDibs seller since 2025
65 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 3 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Chōsei District Nagara, Japan
- Return Policy
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