How can I tell if my Japanese pottery is antique?

To tell if your Japanese pottery is antique, look for markings, which usually appear on the bottoms of pieces. If you see the word "Nippon," your piece was likely produced between 1891 and 1921, making it an antique. Pieces marked with the words "made in occupied Japan" originated between 1945 and 1952 and are vintage, based on their age. A "made in Japan" marking may indicate a vintage or contemporary piece. If you don't see any of these markings, consult trusted online resources to get a rough idea of when your pottery was produced. Any piece that dates back 100 years or more is antique. Should you encounter difficulty with the dating process, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Japanese pottery.

Antique Japanese Trunks

Japanese Black Lacquer Gold

Kimono Chest

Iron Strongbox

Edo Period Chest

Pair of Japanese Lacquered Trunks or Tables on Custom Stands, 19th Century

$3,375 / set

H 16 in W 27 in D 15.75 in

Pair of Japanese Lacquered Trunks or Tables on Custom Stands, 19th Century

Located in San Francisco, CA

A pair of lacquered trunks with iron hardware mounted on custom-made later stands. One trunk having

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Iron

1894 Meiji Japanese Antique Washi paper covered wooden box wabi sabi primitive

$1,600

H 12.92 in W 23.82 in D 15.95 in

1894 Meiji Japanese Antique Washi paper covered wooden box wabi sabi primitive

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

. Box is fully covered, reinforced & coated with reused Washi (traditional Japanese paper), even the

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Wood, Paper

1870s-1920s Japanese Antique paper covered wooden box wabi sabi primitive Meiji

$1,210

H 19.69 in W 31.11 in D 9.85 in

1870s-1920s Japanese Antique paper covered wooden box wabi sabi primitive Meiji

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

New finds from Tohoku area, Japan. Paper covered wooden box with lid - a product of Meiji to

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Wood, Paper

Japanese Meiji Period Black Lacquered Trunk on Stand

$1,600Sale Price|50% Off

H 27 in W 23.25 in D 16 in

Japanese Meiji Period Black Lacquered Trunk on Stand

Located in Kenilworth, IL

Japanese black lacquered wood trunk with engraved cast brass corner mounts and bails for the lift

Category

19th Century Meiji Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Brass, Iron

Antique Dome-Top Wooden Trunk with Original Iron Hardware and Patina, Late 19th

$5,250

H 30 in W 43.5 in D 23.5 in

Antique Dome-Top Wooden Trunk with Original Iron Hardware and Patina, Late 19th

Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

found on Japanese merchant or shipping trunks and a testament to its functional past. The hinged domed

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Other Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Iron

English Chatham & Wilkes Faux Bois Steel Steamer Trunk J & E Bates Brass Latch

$2,750

H 18.5 in W 27.5 in D 18.5 in

English Chatham & Wilkes Faux Bois Steel Steamer Trunk J & E Bates Brass Latch

By J & E Bates & Sons, Chatham & Wilkes

Located in Cincinnati, OH

protect the surface if stacked with other trunks while in transit. Each of the four knobs on the raised

Category

1910s English Edwardian Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Steel, Brass

Recent Sales

Japanese Kimono/Armour Chest

Unavailable

H 15 in W 23.5 in D 16 in

Japanese Kimono/Armour Chest

Located in London, GB

A superb example of a Kimono chest with a highly unusual motif which is extremely modern in its style.
The whole chest is covered in black and gold lacquer and is bound with ...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Japanese Nagamochi Chest of Bamboo with Wrought Iron Hardware, circa 1800s

Unavailable

H 28 in W 66.5 in D 28 in

Japanese Nagamochi Chest of Bamboo with Wrought Iron Hardware, circa 1800s

Located in Madison, WI

This chest was used in 19th century Japan to carry the bridal trousseau from her village to the

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Wrought Iron

Japanese Painted Trunk

Sold

H 25 in W 51 in D 25.5 in

Japanese Painted Trunk

Located in Stamford, CT

A black lacquer decorative trunk or chest with beautifully embossed brass mounts with red pinwheel decoration to the front and top having oversized handles- interior lined with paper.

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Softwood

Japanese lacquer samurai armor chest

Sold

H 19.5 in W 26.5 in D 26.5 in

Japanese lacquer samurai armor chest

Located in Hudson, NY

4139 Japanese lacquer samurai armor chest with heraldic crests.

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Lacquer, Wood

Large Japanese Kimono Storage Chest with Iron Braces and Handles, circa 1900

Sold

H 29.5 in W 71 in D 28.5 in

Large Japanese Kimono Storage Chest with Iron Braces and Handles, circa 1900

Located in Yonkers, NY

An antique Japanese large kimono storage chest from the early 20th century, with iron cut hardware

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Iron

Antique Japanese Keyaki Burlwood Hibachi + Accessories Tea Cabinet Copper Liner

Sold

H 14 in W 14 in D 26 in

Antique Japanese Keyaki Burlwood Hibachi + Accessories Tea Cabinet Copper Liner

Located in Dayton, OH

Early 20th century, dovetailed keyaki burl wood case with beautiful grain, copper-lined well, upper removable panel, over five drawers, with copper kettle mount and accessories. A...

Category

Early 20th Century Japonisme Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Copper

Black lacquer garment box with gold vine design

Sold

H 13.5 in W 25 in D 16 in

Black lacquer garment box with gold vine design

Located in Hudson, NY

Black lacquer garment box with gold vine design and family crest, circa 1850.

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Lacquer, Wood

A Pair of Japanese Lacquer Traveling Trunks, on English Style Bases

Sold

H 16 in W 23 in D 15 in

A Pair of Japanese Lacquer Traveling Trunks, on English Style Bases

Located in New York, NY

A fine pair of Japanese lacquer traveling trunks, on English Style bases, the upper portion opens

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Pair of Tansu Chests

Sold

H 40.25 in W 45.75 in D 16.25 in

Pair of Tansu Chests

Located in Chicago, IL

Tansu are Japanese chests, trunks or cupboards used for all types of storage. These chest were made

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Japanese Red Lacquer Storage Box

Sold

H 15 in W 24 in D 14 in

Japanese Red Lacquer Storage Box

Located in Pasadena, CA

This is a charming utilitarian red lacquer box-on-stand. The box dates to the early 20th century and features a lift-off lid and painted "mon" decorations. The cinnabar red with blac...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Leather Travel Luggage Trio, 1920s

Sold

H 7.5 in W 27.5 in D 15 in

Japanese Antique Leather Travel Luggage Trio, 1920s

Located in South Burlington, VT

From our recent Japanese Acquisition travels & From a Private Japanese collection Unusual set of

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Metal

Wonderful Pair of Japanese Laquered Tea Boxes on Stands

Sold

H 21.5 in W 29.25 in D 20.5 in

Wonderful Pair of Japanese Laquered Tea Boxes on Stands

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Two Japanese laquered tea boxes, ebonized and painted with meticulous figural scenes in red and

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Japanese Edo Period Black and Red Lacquered Clothing Chest

Sold

H 24 in W 48 in D 23.75 in

Japanese Edo Period Black and Red Lacquered Clothing Chest

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Bearing the mons of the Tokugawa clan in red on a black lacquered chest. Iron hinges and lock. Large and impressive size with age related acceptable wear. No lock.

Category

19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Japanese Trunks

Antique Robe Chest, Japanese Storage Trunk, Handpainted, Oriental Art Deco 1920

Sold

H 9.5 in W 22 in D 14.5 in

Antique Robe Chest, Japanese Storage Trunk, Handpainted, Oriental Art Deco 1920

Located in Douglas Manor, NY

3-974 This is an antique small robe chest.A Japanese,papered storage trunk with oriental Art Deco

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Fruitwood, Parchment Paper

Japanese Kodansu

Sold

H 24 in W 24 in D 13 in

Japanese Kodansu

Located in San Francisco, CA

Japanese Kodansu (personal chest). Taisho period - c1920s.

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Antique Japanese Kodansu

Sold

H 20.5 in W 20.5 in D 13.325 in

Antique Japanese Kodansu

Located in San Francisco, CA

Antique Japanese kodansu (small personal chest) with original iron hardware.

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Antique Japanese Kodansu

Sold

H 21.5 in W 21.5 in D 10.75 in

Antique Japanese Kodansu

Located in San Francisco, CA

Antique Japanese kodansu (small personal chest) with original iron hardware. Meiji period - c 1875.

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Japanese Kodansu on stand

Sold

H 53 in W 26.325 in D 13.25 in

Japanese Kodansu on stand

Located in San Francisco, CA

Japanese Kodansu (personal chest) on metal stand. Sliding doors on top and middle with 2 drawers

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Japanese Black Lacquer Nagamochi Trunk

Sold

H 28 in W 63 in D 27 in

Japanese Black Lacquer Nagamochi Trunk

Located in New York, NY

Very large Japanese 19th century storage chest (Nagamochi), with gold crests on all sides, and

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

19th Century Japanese Trunk

Sold

H 19.5 in W 40.5 in D 22.5 in

19th Century Japanese Trunk

Located in Culver City, CA

This impressive early 19th century Japanese trunk is made of Kiri wood with hand-forged iron

Category

Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Iron

Japanese Wood & Iron Zenibako Strongbox Chest

Sold

H 15.75 in W 29.25 in D 24 in

Japanese Wood & Iron Zenibako Strongbox Chest

Located in Seattle, WA

Japanese zenibako (strongbox) used for the storage and transport of money and other valuables

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

An Extraordinary Large Japanese Gilt Copper and Lacquer Nagamochi Trunk

Sold

H 26 in W 58 in D 23 in

An Extraordinary Large Japanese Gilt Copper and Lacquer Nagamochi Trunk

Located in New York, NY

by Kazuko Koizumi, Traditional Japanese Furniture, New York, 1986, p. 82 pl. 123. More boxes and

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Lacquer

Wood and Brass Japanese Trunk

Sold

H 25.5 in W 17 in D 13 in

Wood and Brass Japanese Trunk

Located in Stamford, CT

Japanese trunk on a custom stand with brass hardware, circa early 20th century.

Category

Early 20th Century Meiji Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Brass

Wood and Brass Japanese Trunk

Sold

H 25.5 in W 17 in D 13 in

Wood and Brass Japanese Trunk

Located in Stamford, CT

Japanese trunk on a custom stand with brass hardware, circa early 20th century.

Category

Early 20th Century Meiji Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Brass

Kodansu

Sold

H 24 in W 24 in D 12 in

Kodansu

Located in San Francisco, CA

Antique Japanese kodansu (small personal chest) with original iron hardware. Meiji period - c 1875.

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Kodansu

Sold

H 23.75 in W 24 in D 11.125 in

Kodansu

Located in San Francisco, CA

Antique Japanese kodansu (small personal chest) with original iron hardware. Meiji period - c 1875.

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Katana Dansu on stand

Sold

H 30 in W 42.325 in D 14 in

Katana Dansu on stand

Located in San Francisco, CA

Antique black lacquered sugi (cedar) wood sword chest from Kyoto, Japan. Dates from c 1875 (Meiji

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Trunk Chest

Sold

H 21.25 in W 30.5 in D 16.5 in

Trunk Chest

Located in San Francisco, CA

Japanese trunk from the 1920s Taisho period. Solid sugi (cedar) wood with original iron hardware.

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

3 Section Clothing Chest

Sold

H 59 in W 46.325 in D 15.75 in

3 Section Clothing Chest

Located in San Francisco, CA

Japanese 3 section clothing chest. Sugi (cedar wood) with persimmon wood veneer. All original

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Cedar

Katana Dansu

Sold

H 28.125 in W 45 in D 11 in

Katana Dansu

Located in San Francisco, CA

Antique Katana Dansu (Sword Chest).

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Trunks

Rare Pair of Japanese Black and Gold Lacquer boxes, small trunks, Japan, 19thc

Sold

H 3.75 in W 5.52 in D 3.55 in

Rare Pair of Japanese Black and Gold Lacquer boxes, small trunks, Japan, 19thc

Located in PARIS, FR

Pair of Japanese Black and Gold Lacquer boxes, small trunks, Japan, 19th Century These miniature

Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Lacquer

People Also Browsed

Japanese Antique Large Black Sideboard 1860s-1900s / Tansu Wabisabi

$2,925Sale Price|35% Off

H 37.8 in W 65.56 in D 19.89 in

Japanese Antique Large Black Sideboard 1860s-1900s / Tansu Wabisabi

Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP

This is an old, large sideboard made in Japan. The furniture was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s) and has a deep black paint throughout, giving it a stately appearance. The...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Drawer / Tansu Storage / 1868-1912s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei

$1,500

H 30.12 in W 23.82 in D 14.18 in

Japanese Antique Drawer / Tansu Storage / 1868-1912s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei

Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture

This is an old Japanese drawer. The original red color has balanced with soot from its long use in an old house with an irori hearth, and has turned a natural reddish-brown. The pee...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Iron

1916 Japanese antique small box chest of drawers w/ Boro ribbon, wabi sabi tansu

$450

H 11.89 in W 7.2 in D 13.78 in

1916 Japanese antique small box chest of drawers w/ Boro ribbon, wabi sabi tansu

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

108 years-old wooden small tansu (chest of drawers) with 4 drawers. Product of Taisho 5 (1916), written on the bottom together with maker's address & name. Finished with traditi...

Category

1910s Japanese Taisho Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Japanese Antique Large Medicine Chest 1874s / Tansu Drawer Wabi-Sabi

$8,000

H 43.71 in W 57.49 in D 11.42 in

Japanese Antique Large Medicine Chest 1874s / Tansu Drawer Wabi-Sabi

Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP

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 ord...

Category

1870s Japanese Meiji Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1920s / Tansu Wabi Sabi

$1,200

H 22.45 in W 20.08 in D 13 in

Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1920s / Tansu Wabi Sabi

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This is an antique Japanese drawer chest from the Meiji period (1860s–1920s). Crafted from paulownia wood (kiri) with iron fittings, it embodies the essence of Japanese simplicity an...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Wood

1920s-40s Japanese wabi sabi large low center table, display table or bench

$1,900

H 16.15 in W 67.33 in D 32.29 in

1920s-40s Japanese wabi sabi large low center table, display table or bench

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

New finds from an old elementary school in Ibaraki pref., Japan. This vintage low table - or bench, was manufactured circa 1920s to 40s (early Showa era), estimate from the style & ...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Organic Modern Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Cypress

17th Century Japanese Export Lacquer Cabinet with Depiction the Dutch Tradepost

$1,500,353

H 34.65 in W 39.57 in D 21.26 in

17th Century Japanese Export Lacquer Cabinet with Depiction the Dutch Tradepost

Located in Amsterdam, NL

A highly important Japanese export lacquer cabinet with depiction of the Dutch East India Company tradepost Deshima and the annual Dutch delegation on its way to the Shogun in Edo ...

Category

17th Century Japanese Edo Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Copper, Gold

1910-30s Japanese antique large Kimono display rack room divider wabi sabi decor

$3,030

H 66.74 in W 81.11 in D 19.69 in

1910-30s Japanese antique large Kimono display rack room divider wabi sabi decor

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

Japanese antique large Kimono display rack called "Iko", manufactured in circa 1910s -1930s (Taisho to early Showa period), estimate from the style & conditions. With arched top...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Organic Modern Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Wood

1860s-1910s Meiji Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers

$1,400

H 10.16 in W 35.83 in D 16.34 in

1860s-1910s Meiji Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

From Tohoku area, Japan. This mid-size, dark reddish brown Urushi lacquered Tansu chest of drawers is a product of Meiji period (1868-1912) , estimate from the style & conditions. M...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Highclere Castle Jewellery Box

$248,164

H 20.87 in W 21.07 in D 27.56 in

Highclere Castle Jewellery Box

By LINLEY London

Located in London, GB

Over the years, British design company Linley has developed expertise in creating scaled versions of famous architectural buildings including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the R...

Category

2010s British Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Maple

1870s-1900s Japanese antique Mizuya tansu chest sideboard wabi sabi primitive

$2,710

H 32.68 in W 57.68 in D 21.46 in

1870s-1900s Japanese antique Mizuya tansu chest sideboard wabi sabi primitive

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

New finds from Tohoku area, Japan. This single tier Mizuya tansu is made from premium quality, reddish Sugi Cedar, the product of circa 1870s to 1900s (Meiji to early Taisho period)...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Wood, Cedar

antique Japanese wabi sabi Konebachi, hand-carved dough bowl, primitive, mingei

$460

H 4.22 in W 21.46 in D 21.07 in

antique Japanese wabi sabi Konebachi, hand-carved dough bowl, primitive, mingei

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

Antique wooden dough bowl, Konebachi - Hand-carved from the one solid wood piece , circa 1870s - 1900s. Dough bowls were widely owned by the ordinary Japanese households, the most t...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Primitive Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Wood, Chestnut

Japanese antique Black Urushi low display stand, wabi sabi side table or bench

$1,320

H 17.33 in W 35.63 in D 11.62 in

Japanese antique Black Urushi low display stand, wabi sabi side table or bench

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

Japanese antique low display stand manufactured circa 1880s - 1910s (Mid to late Meiji period), estimate from the style, technique & conditions. Finished with traditional black Urush...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Wood

1870s-1900s Japanese antique Mizuya tansu chest sideboard Wabi sabi primitive

$2,150

H 24.69 in W 50.01 in D 16.34 in

1870s-1900s Japanese antique Mizuya tansu chest sideboard Wabi sabi primitive

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

New finds from Tohoku area, Japan. This single tier Mizuya tansu is made from premium quality, reddish Sugi Cedar. The product of circa 1870s to 1900s (Meiji to early Taisho period)...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Wood, Cedar

19th Edo Japanese wabi sabi dougu Kusuri Tansu, Tool medicine chest of drawers

$2,050

H 30.71 in W 34.45 in D 13.98 in

19th Edo Japanese wabi sabi dougu Kusuri Tansu, Tool medicine chest of drawers

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

Product of late Edo period (estimate 1860s-1870s) in Aomori prefecture, Japan. Originally made as tool chest or medicine chest, made of thick, fine grade reddish Sugi cedar. The rus...

Category

1860s Japanese Edo Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Wood, Cedar

1780s-1850s Edo Japanese antique medicine chest of drawers, cabinet wabi sabi

$1,650

H 19.49 in W 22.45 in D 11.42 in

1780s-1850s Edo Japanese antique medicine chest of drawers, cabinet wabi sabi

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

Mid size apothecary chest, medicine chest of drawers - "Kusuri dansu" in Japanese - product of late Edo era (1780s-1868), estimate from the style & conditions. Pieces of old pape...

Category

Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Japanese Trunks

Materials

Wood

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Antique Japanese Trunks For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of antique Japanese trunks for sale on 1stDibs. Each of these unique antique Japanese trunks was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and lacquer. Antique Japanese trunks have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century.

Finding the Right Trunks-luggage for You

Add a charming piece of travel history to your space. Antique and vintage trunks and luggage can make a statement as decorative accents and practical furnishings in nearly every room of your home.

There have been many types of trunks and luggage over the years, with availability of these wares broadening as train travel expanded during the 19th century. Antique steamer trunks — named for their use on steamships — mostly date from around 1880 to 1920. These pieces of luggage fit a steamship’s luggage size regulations and essentially doubled as wardrobes, ensuring that a traveler’s evening dresses and suits were kept wrinkle-free on a journey from city to city.

In 1858, French luxury brand Louis Vuitton introduced the world to the now-iconic Louis Vuitton trunks. During this early period of railroad travel, Louis Vuitton trunks solved common travel problems. Instead of the traditional round shape, these handcrafted rectangular trunks stored better on trains. To discourage burglars, the French craftsman and his son, Georges, also eventually patented a revolutionary sophisticated lock for the trunks. The famous LV monogram was first used in 1896 as part of an initiative by Georges to prevent counterfeiting of his coveted travel trunks.

Even if no longer used for travel, the vintage luggage is a popular item among collectors for its historical value and charm. At home, an old wood trunk is a durable storage solution as much as it is a versatile surface. It’s a coffee table in the living room of your farmhouse-style home or rustic loft apartment and a nightstand or blanket chest at the foot of your bed in your bedroom.

From Victorian trunks to Art Deco traveling jewelry cases, journey through history today with an extensive collection of antique trunk suitcases and vintage luggage on 1stDibs.

Questions About Antique Japanese Trunks

How can I tell if my Japanese pottery is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024
To tell if your Japanese pottery is antique, look for markings, which usually appear on the bottoms of pieces. If you see the word "Nippon," your piece was likely produced between 1891 and 1921, making it an antique. Pieces marked with the words "made in occupied Japan" originated between 1945 and 1952 and are vintage, based on their age. A "made in Japan" marking may indicate a vintage or contemporary piece. If you don't see any of these markings, consult trusted online resources to get a rough idea of when your pottery was produced. Any piece that dates back 100 years or more is antique. Should you encounter difficulty with the dating process, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Japanese pottery.

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