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Japanese Medicine Chest

1850s-1890s Japanese antique cabinet, wabi sabi tansu medicine chest of drawers
1850s-1890s Japanese antique cabinet, wabi sabi tansu medicine chest of drawers

1850s-1890s Japanese antique cabinet, wabi sabi tansu medicine chest of drawers

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

Japanese antique large cabinet, tansu chest of drawers in the vein of Kusuri dansu (Medicine

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Hardwood

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

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

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

tool chest or medicine chest, made of thick, fine grade reddish Sugi cedar. The rustic surface of this

Category

Antique 1860s Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Cedar

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

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

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Wood

1850s-1890s Japanese antique mid-size medicine tansu chest of drawers, wabi sabi
1850s-1890s Japanese antique mid-size medicine tansu chest of drawers, wabi sabi

1850s-1890s Japanese antique mid-size medicine tansu chest of drawers, wabi sabi

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

Japanese antique mid-size apothecary chest, tansu chest of drawers for medicines (Kusuri dansu

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Wood

1780s-1850s Edo Japanese antique medicine chest of drawers 2pc cabinet wabi sabi
1780s-1850s Edo Japanese antique medicine chest of drawers 2pc cabinet wabi sabi

1780s-1850s Edo Japanese antique medicine chest of drawers 2pc cabinet wabi sabi

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

size box chest of drawers, in the vein of Medicine chest "Kusuri dansu" in Japanese - one of Tansu

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Recent Sales

Kusuri Tansu, 'Japanese Medicine Chest', Showa period, '1926-1989'
Kusuri Tansu, 'Japanese Medicine Chest', Showa period, '1926-1989'

Kusuri Tansu, 'Japanese Medicine Chest', Showa period, '1926-1989'

Located in Stockbridge, MA

Kusuri Tansu, (Japanese Medicine Chest). Showa period, (1926-1989). This Japanese medicine chest

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Arts and Crafts Furniture

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Medicine Chest 1860s-1900s/Chests of Drawers Cabinet Mingei
Japanese Antique Medicine Chest 1860s-1900s/Chests of Drawers Cabinet Mingei

Japanese Antique Medicine Chest 1860s-1900s/Chests of Drawers Cabinet Mingei

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This is a very old Japanese medicine chest. Furniture from the Meiji era. (1860s - 1900s) The

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Medicine Chest / Tansu Drawer Cabinet / 1887-1896s Wabi-Sabi
Japanese Antique Medicine Chest / Tansu Drawer Cabinet / 1887-1896s Wabi-Sabi

Japanese Antique Medicine Chest / Tansu Drawer Cabinet / 1887-1896s Wabi-Sabi

Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture

This is an old Japanese medicine chest. It's called "Medicine Tansu" in Japan. The medicine tansu

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Copper, Iron

Japanese Antique Medicine Chest 1860s-1900s/Chests of Drawers Storage Tansu
Japanese Antique Medicine Chest 1860s-1900s/Chests of Drawers Storage Tansu

Japanese Antique Medicine Chest 1860s-1900s/Chests of Drawers Storage Tansu

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

A drawer containing old Japanese medicine. Furniture from the Meiji era. (1860s-1900s) The

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Japanese Antique Black Medicine Chest 1800s-1860s / Tansu Wabisabi
Japanese Antique Black Medicine Chest 1800s-1860s / Tansu Wabisabi

Japanese Antique Black Medicine Chest 1800s-1860s / Tansu Wabisabi

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

perspective. This is a very old black medicine chest made in Japan. The furniture is from the Edo period

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Medicine Chest 1750s-1850s/Drawer Storage Cabinet Wabisabi
Japanese Antique Medicine Chest 1750s-1850s/Drawer Storage Cabinet Wabisabi

Japanese Antique Medicine Chest 1750s-1850s/Drawer Storage Cabinet Wabisabi

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

A drawer containing old Japanese medicine. Furniture from the Edo period. (1750s-1850s) The

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Japanese Old Black Medicine Chest 1800s-1860s/Antique Drawer Storage Cabinet
Japanese Old Black Medicine Chest 1800s-1860s/Antique Drawer Storage Cabinet

Japanese Old Black Medicine Chest 1800s-1860s/Antique Drawer Storage Cabinet

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

It is a drawer that contains old Japanese medicine. Furniture from the Edo period. (1800s-1860s

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Personal Medicine Chest
Personal Medicine Chest

Personal Medicine Chest

Sold

H 36 in W 45 in D 7.5 in

Personal Medicine Chest

Located in Chicago, IL

This personal medicine chest with is from Japan and is made from paulowina wood.

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Medicine Chest 1860s-1920s/Drawer Storage Wabisabi Mingei
Japanese Antique Medicine Chest 1860s-1920s/Drawer Storage Wabisabi Mingei

Japanese Antique Medicine Chest 1860s-1920s/Drawer Storage Wabisabi Mingei

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

An old Japanese medicine chest. It is a furniture of Meiji era (1860s-1920s). The materials used

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Chestnut, Cedar

Japanese Antique Medicine Chest / Drawer Tansu / 1800-1868s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei
Japanese Antique Medicine Chest / Drawer Tansu / 1800-1868s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei

Japanese Antique Medicine Chest / Drawer Tansu / 1800-1868s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei

Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture

This is an old Japanese medicine chest, which is called "medicine tansu" in Japan. The black part

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Cedar, Straw

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

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

Category

Antique 1870s Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Apothecary Drawers 1860s-1900s/Tansu Storage Mingei Cabinets
Japanese Antique Apothecary Drawers 1860s-1900s/Tansu Storage Mingei Cabinets

Japanese Antique Apothecary Drawers 1860s-1900s/Tansu Storage Mingei Cabinets

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

An old Japanese medicine chest. Furniture from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). Material is cedar

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Cedar

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

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

Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture

This is an old Japanese chest called "medicine chest" in Japan. It is believed that it was

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Medicine Chest 1860s-1920s/Drawer Storage Cabinet Wabisabi art
Japanese Antique Medicine Chest 1860s-1920s/Drawer Storage Cabinet Wabisabi art

Japanese Antique Medicine Chest 1860s-1920s/Drawer Storage Cabinet Wabisabi art

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

A drawer containing old Japanese medicine. Furniture from the Meiji era. (1860s-1920s) The

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

1860s-1910s Japanese antique Kiri medicine chest of drawers, tansu, wabi sabi
1860s-1910s Japanese antique Kiri medicine chest of drawers, tansu, wabi sabi

1860s-1910s Japanese antique Kiri medicine chest of drawers, tansu, wabi sabi

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

A pair of mid size apothecary chest, medicine chest of drawers - "Kusuri dansu" in Japanese from

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

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

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 - is a new finds

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Hardwood

1860s-1910s Japanese antique cabinet, wabi sabi tansu medicine chest of drawers
1860s-1910s Japanese antique cabinet, wabi sabi tansu medicine chest of drawers

1860s-1910s Japanese antique cabinet, wabi sabi tansu medicine chest of drawers

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

This large shop cabinet, tansu chest of drawers, is in the vein of Kusuri dansu (Medicine

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Cypress

1860s Japanese antique Tansu Medicine chest of drawers & sword storage wabi sabi
1860s Japanese antique Tansu Medicine chest of drawers & sword storage wabi sabi

1860s Japanese antique Tansu Medicine chest of drawers & sword storage wabi sabi

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

Medicine Tansu chest of drawers with Katana (Samurai sword) storage, Made of Kiri (Paulownia wood

Category

Antique 1860s Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Huge Medicine Tansu 1800s-1860s / Chest of Drawer Wabi Sabi
Japanese Antique Huge Medicine Tansu 1800s-1860s / Chest of Drawer Wabi Sabi

Japanese Antique Huge Medicine Tansu 1800s-1860s / Chest of Drawer Wabi Sabi

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

is a very old huge medicine tansu made in Japan. This furniture is from the Edo period (1800s-1860s

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Cedar

1780s-1850s Edo Japanese antique black Urushi medicine chest of drawers cabinet
1780s-1850s Edo Japanese antique black Urushi medicine chest of drawers cabinet

1780s-1850s Edo Japanese antique black Urushi medicine chest of drawers cabinet

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

Mid size apothecary chest, medicine chest of drawers - "Kusuri dansu" in Japanese - product of late

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Wood

1780s-1850s Edo Japanese antique Kiri Tansu medicine chest of drawers wabi sabi
1780s-1850s Edo Japanese antique Kiri Tansu medicine chest of drawers wabi sabi

1780s-1850s Edo Japanese antique Kiri Tansu medicine chest of drawers wabi sabi

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

Tall apothecary chest, medicine chest of drawers - "Kusuri dansu" in Japanese - is a new finds from

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Edo period Japanese medicine chest
Edo period Japanese medicine chest

Edo period Japanese medicine chest

Sold

H 35.44 in W 35.04 in D 11.82 in

Edo period Japanese medicine chest

By Japanese Studio

Located in CARLTON, AU

This is a very old and rare Japanese tooling storage tansu. It was made early Edo period of

Category

Antique 17th Century Japanese Edo Furniture

Materials

Cedar

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$8,177 / item

H 26.78 in W 70.87 in D 36.23 in

Gervasoni Sofa Upholstered Saia 10 by David Lopez Quincoces

By David Lopez Quincoces, Gervasoni

Located in Brooklyn, NY

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This wooden open shelf was crafted in the Mid Showa Period'1940-'. This simple yet striking open shelf is made from heavy pine wood, with some parts crafted from cedar, giving it a ...

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Classical Carved Marble Stone Sink Basin
Classical Carved Marble Stone Sink Basin

Classical Carved Marble Stone Sink Basin

$4,783

H 6.3 in W 36.23 in D 18.12 in

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Located in Cranbrook, Kent

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Japanese Antique Wheeled Storage Chest / Sideboard Tansu / 1868-1912s Wabi-sabi
Japanese Antique Wheeled Storage Chest / Sideboard Tansu / 1868-1912s Wabi-sabi

Japanese Antique Wheeled Storage Chest / Sideboard Tansu / 1868-1912s Wabi-sabi

Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture

This storage furniture, known as a "kurumanagamochi" (cartridge), has been used in Japan since ancient times. Made primarily from pine and cedar, it was commonly used in the Tohoku r...

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

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

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

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Japanese Vintage Sliding-Door Cabinet (Cha Tansu), Early Showa Era, Wabi Sabi

Japanese Vintage Sliding-Door Cabinet (Cha Tansu), Early Showa Era, Wabi Sabi

Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08

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Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

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$400Sale Price|20% Off

H 2.88 in W 27.56 in D 8.27 in

Japanese Antique Exhibition Table / Wall Decoration / 1868-1912s / Wabi-sabi

Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture

This is an old Japanese wooden work board. The wood is cedar, and due to long-term use, the black color around the edges remains, and the color has peeled off only in the middle. Th...

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Striking Art Nouveau Ceramic and Bronze-Mounted Vase in Victor Horta Style
Striking Art Nouveau Ceramic and Bronze-Mounted Vase in Victor Horta Style

Striking Art Nouveau Ceramic and Bronze-Mounted Vase in Victor Horta Style

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

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

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

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Japanese Medicine Chest For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the Japanese medicine chest you’re looking for. Each Japanese medicine chest for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, cedar and mahogany. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect Japanese medicine chest — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right Japanese medicine chest, those designed in Georgian styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made Japanese medicine chest over the years, but those crafted by Kimono ikasu are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Japanese Medicine Chest?

The average selling price for a Japanese medicine chest at 1stDibs is $5,250, while they’re typically $1,350 on the low end and $22,000 for the highest priced.

Finding the Right Case Pieces And Storage Cabinets for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.

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