Questions & Answers
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What is a Tansu chest?
1 Answer
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 ExpertNovember 2, 2021
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Shop for Antique Tansu Chest on 1stDibs
19th Century Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in Winnetka, IL
This is a wonderful 19th century Japanese Laquer Tansu chest on a custom metal base
Two drawers
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Metal
Japanese Taishō Period Early 20th Century Tansu Chest with Five Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Taisho period antique tansu chest from the early 20th century with five drawers and iron
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Japanese Tansu Chest / Storage, 1920s
By ACC Japan
Located in London, Lambeth
Beautiful patinated wooden small tansu from Japan. Tansu chests are very popular throughout Japan
Category
Vintage 1920s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Cabinets
Materials
Cherry
Japanese Merchants Tansu Chest 19th Century
Located in Fulton, CA
Meiji period Japanese merchants Tansu chest. Very nice patina to original finish. All iron hardware
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Iron
Japanese Wabi-Sabi Meiji Period Tansu Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
An unusually deep & heavy Meiji period tansu chest constructed from patinated stained elm timber
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Iron
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
