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Japanese Tansu Chest
Japanese Tansu Chest

Japanese Tansu Chest

Located in Greensboro, NC

Japanese Tansu Chest. Beautiful patina, very solidly built and in very good vintage condition

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Organic Modern Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Japanese Tansu Chest / Storage, 1920s
Japanese Tansu Chest / Storage, 1920s

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

Fine Japanese Tansu Chest
Fine Japanese Tansu Chest

Fine Japanese Tansu Chest

Located in Bridgeport, CT

A classic Japanese Tansu Chest in Natural Pine originally collected in the late 1960’s in San

Category

20th Century Japanese Edo Furniture

Materials

Metal

Japanese Tansu Chest of Drawers, circa 1890
Japanese Tansu Chest of Drawers, circa 1890

Japanese Tansu Chest of Drawers, circa 1890

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Traditional Japanese Tansu chest of drawers from the 1890s. Made during the late Meiji era (1868

Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Tansu Chest of Drawers, circa 1890
Japanese Tansu Chest of Drawers, circa 1890

Japanese Tansu Chest of Drawers, circa 1890

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Traditional Japanese Tansu chest of drawers from the 1890s. Made during the late Meiji era (1868

Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Japonisme Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Tansu Chest of Drawers, circa 1890
Japanese Tansu Chest of Drawers, circa 1890

Japanese Tansu Chest of Drawers, circa 1890

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

A traditional Japanese Tansu chest of drawers from the 1890s. Made during the late Meiji era (1868

Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Japonisme Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Tansu Chest, Japan, Early 20th Century
Japanese Tansu Chest, Japan, Early 20th Century

Japanese Tansu Chest, Japan, Early 20th Century

Located in Tokyo, Tokyo

A finely crafted Japanese tansu chest, composed of three separate stacking elements: a base plinth

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Antique Early 1900s Meiji Period Japanese Tansu Chest
Antique Early 1900s Meiji Period Japanese Tansu Chest

Antique Early 1900s Meiji Period Japanese Tansu Chest

Located in Centennial, CO

A stunning antique Meiji period early 1900s Japanese Tansu chest with original hardware and working

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

20th Century Japanese Tansu Chest in Two Parts
20th Century Japanese Tansu Chest in Two Parts

20th Century Japanese Tansu Chest in Two Parts

Located in Torino, IT

Crafted in Japan during the 20th century, this Pauownia wood (Kiri in Japanese ) tansu chest is a

Category

20th Century Japanese Furniture

Materials

Wood, Cedar

19th Century Japanese Tansu Chest
19th Century Japanese Tansu Chest

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 Tansu, chest-on-chest  (isho kasane-dansu), Yonezawa
Japanese Tansu, chest-on-chest  (isho kasane-dansu), Yonezawa

Japanese Tansu, chest-on-chest (isho kasane-dansu), Yonezawa

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Japanese chest-on-chest for clothing storage (isho kasane-dansu) from Yonezawa, constructed of

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood

Unusual Tall Meiji Period Japanese Tansu Wabi Sabi
Unusual Tall Meiji Period Japanese Tansu Wabi Sabi

Unusual Tall Meiji Period Japanese Tansu Wabi Sabi

Located in London, GB

A tall Japanese tansu/chest of drawers of highly unusual proportions . Four drawers with storage

Category

Antique 19th Century Spanish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Vintage Burl Mahogany Tansu Chest with Paper Antique Calligraphy Lining
Vintage Burl Mahogany Tansu Chest with Paper Antique Calligraphy Lining

Vintage Burl Mahogany Tansu Chest with Paper Antique Calligraphy Lining

Located in Lomita, CA

This is a unique Japanese Tansu chest that presents beautifully and also offers a glimpse into

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Brass

Antique Japanese Tansu Campaign Style Clothing Chest
Antique Japanese Tansu Campaign Style Clothing Chest

Antique Japanese Tansu Campaign Style Clothing Chest

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is an antique Asian Tansu campaign style stacking clothing chest. It has a lacquered burnt

Category

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

Materials

Iron

1930s Japanese Antique Lacquer Sendai Tansu Clothing Chest
1930s Japanese Antique Lacquer Sendai Tansu Clothing Chest

1930s Japanese Antique Lacquer Sendai Tansu Clothing Chest

Located in Virginia Beach, VA

A 1930s Japanese lacquer Sendai Tansu Chest of drawers. Looks to be solid pine construction with a

Category

Vintage 1930s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Wabi-Sabi Meiji Period Tansu Chest of Drawers
Japanese Wabi-Sabi Meiji Period Tansu Chest of Drawers

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 Antique Small Chests of Drawers , Tansu, Wabi-Sabi
Japanese Antique Small Chests of Drawers , Tansu, Wabi-Sabi

Japanese Antique Small Chests of Drawers , Tansu, Wabi-Sabi

Located in Katori-Shi, 12

not only Japanese spaces, but also modern interiors. Don't miss this opportunity to get your hands

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

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

Late Meiji Japanese Keyaki Merchant Tansu Chest with Iron Fittings
Late Meiji Japanese Keyaki Merchant Tansu Chest with Iron Fittings

Late Meiji Japanese Keyaki Merchant Tansu Chest with Iron Fittings

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Japanese Meiji merchant's tansu chest from the late 19th century with iron hardware. This late

Category

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

Materials

Iron

Antique Narrow Japanese Tansu
Antique Narrow Japanese Tansu

Antique Narrow Japanese Tansu

Located in Cambridge, US

Japan, ca. late 19th century. A fabulous tall and narrow tansu from the late Meiji Period in old

Category

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

Materials

Iron

Japanese 19th Century Meiji Period Brown and Black Tansu Clothing Chest
Japanese 19th Century Meiji Period Brown and Black Tansu Clothing Chest

Japanese 19th Century Meiji Period Brown and Black Tansu Clothing Chest

Located in Yonkers, NY

An antique Japanese Meiji period tansu clothing chest from the 19th century, with black and brown

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Chests of Drawers 1860s-1900s /Tansu, Wabi-Sabi
Japanese Antique Chests of Drawers 1860s-1900s /Tansu, Wabi-Sabi

Japanese Antique Chests of Drawers 1860s-1900s /Tansu, Wabi-Sabi

Located in Katori-Shi, 12

This small drawer was produced in the Taisho period. This chest is made of sturdy cedar with a

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Japanese Taishō Period Early 20th Century Tansu Chest with Five Drawers
Japanese Taishō Period Early 20th Century Tansu Chest with Five Drawers

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

Antique Japanese todana tansu - 19th
Antique Japanese todana tansu - 19th

Antique Japanese todana tansu - 19th

Located in Linkebeek, BE

Antique Japanese todana tansu - 19th Antique - Oriental Decoration Measures : 97cmx44cm H:53cm

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Large Tansu 1860s-1900s / Sideboard Cabinet Wabi Sabi
Japanese Antique Large Tansu 1860s-1900s / Sideboard Cabinet Wabi Sabi

Japanese Antique Large Tansu 1860s-1900s / Sideboard Cabinet Wabi Sabi

Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP

This is a very old Japanese tansu chest, crafted in the Meiji period (1860s–1900s). It is made from

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Cedar

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

Japanese Antique Chest of Drawers 1860s-1900s / Tansu Nightstand Wabi Sabi
Japanese Antique Chest of Drawers 1860s-1900s / Tansu Nightstand Wabi Sabi

Japanese Antique Chest of Drawers 1860s-1900s / Tansu Nightstand Wabi Sabi

Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP

This is an old drawer storage made in Japan. This furniture was made during the Meiji period (1860s

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Chest of Drawers "Tansu", Meiji Era '1868–1912'Wabi Sabi
Japanese Antique Chest of Drawers "Tansu", Meiji Era '1868–1912'Wabi Sabi

Japanese Antique Chest of Drawers "Tansu", Meiji Era '1868–1912'Wabi Sabi

Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08

This antique chest of drawers was crafted in the Meiji Era (1868–1912). Made of Japanese cedar and

Category

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

Materials

Cedar

1860s-80s Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers
1860s-80s Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers

1860s-80s 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, black Urushi lacquered Tansu chest of drawers is a product

Category

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

Materials

Wood

1860s-80s Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers
1860s-80s Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers

1860s-80s 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, black Urushi lacquered Tansu chest of drawers is a product

Category

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

Materials

Wood

1860s-80s Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers
1860s-80s Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers

1860s-80s Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

-size, black Urushi lacquered Tansu chest of drawers is a product of late Edo to early Meiji era (circa

Category

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

Materials

Wood

1860s-80s Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers
1860s-80s Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers

1860s-80s Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

From Kanto or Tohoku area, Japan. This mid-size, black Urushi lacquered Tansu chest of drawers is

Category

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

Materials

Wood

1860s-1920s Japanese antique Black urushi Tansu chest of drawers wabi sabi
1860s-1920s Japanese antique Black urushi Tansu chest of drawers wabi sabi

1860s-1920s Japanese antique Black urushi Tansu chest of drawers wabi sabi

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

Antique mid-size tansu with 4 drawers - product of Meiji to Taisho period (estimate 1868-1926

Category

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

Materials

Cedar, Wood

Meiji Period Tansu/Chest Of Drawers
Meiji Period Tansu/Chest Of Drawers

Meiji Period Tansu/Chest Of Drawers

Located in London, GB

A three drawer cedar Meiji period Japanese chest of drawers. Unusually large drawers for a piece

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Taishō Tansu Chest in Isho-Dansu Style with Six Drawers and Safe
Japanese Taishō Tansu Chest in Isho-Dansu Style with Six Drawers and Safe

Japanese Taishō Tansu Chest in Isho-Dansu Style with Six Drawers and Safe

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Japanese Taisho period single section tansu clothing chest from the early 20th century in Isho

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Meiji Zebra Wood Tansu Chest in Isho-Dansu Style with Five Drawers
Japanese Meiji Zebra Wood Tansu Chest in Isho-Dansu Style with Five Drawers

Japanese Meiji Zebra Wood Tansu Chest in Isho-Dansu Style with Five Drawers

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Japanese Meiji period single section tansu clothing chest from the late 19th century in Isho

Category

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

Materials

Iron

1860s-80s Japanese antique mid size Urushi Tansu chest of drawers, wabi sabi
1860s-80s Japanese antique mid size Urushi Tansu chest of drawers, wabi sabi

1860s-80s Japanese antique mid size Urushi Tansu chest of drawers, wabi sabi

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

Mid-size, Dark reddish brown Urushi lacquered Tansu chest of drawers. Made of Sugi cedar - a

Category

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

Materials

Wood, Cedar

1886 (Meiji 19) Japanese antique dougu tansu, tool chest of drawers wabi sabi
1886 (Meiji 19) Japanese antique dougu tansu, tool chest of drawers wabi sabi

1886 (Meiji 19) Japanese antique dougu tansu, tool chest of drawers wabi sabi

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

From Daigo, Ibaraki pref., Japan. Antique dougu tansu, tool chest of drawers made of Yamizo Sugi

Category

Antique 1880s Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Cedar

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

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

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

From Kanto or Tohoku area, Japan. This mid tall size, Urushi lacquered Tansu chest of drawers is a

Category

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

Materials

Wood

1860s-80s Japanese antique wabi sabi Black Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers
1860s-80s Japanese antique wabi sabi Black Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers

1860s-80s Japanese antique wabi sabi Black Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

From Kanto or Tohoku area, Japan. This mid-size, black Urushi lacquered Tansu chest of drawers is

Category

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

Materials

Wood

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

Product of late Edo period (estimate 1860s-1870s) in Aomori prefecture, Japan. Originally made as

Category

Antique 1860s Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Cedar

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

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

Category

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

Materials

Wood, Cedar

1840s-1860s Edo Japanese antique wabi sabi desk organizer Tansu chest of drawers
1840s-1860s Edo Japanese antique wabi sabi desk organizer Tansu chest of drawers

1840s-1860s Edo Japanese antique wabi sabi desk organizer Tansu chest of drawers

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

Japanese antique shallow Tansu chest of drawers with 4 shelves - made of quality red pine &

Category

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

Materials

Wood, Chestnut, Pine

3 Fabulous 20th Century Japanese style Stacking Tansu Chest of Drawers
3 Fabulous 20th Century Japanese style Stacking Tansu Chest of Drawers

3 Fabulous 20th Century Japanese style Stacking Tansu Chest of Drawers

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in Pemberton, NJ

3 fabulous 20th-century Japanese-style stacking Tansu chests of drawers. Each section can be used

Category

Mid-20th Century American Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Dark Brown Antique Wooden Tansu Dresser Chest
Dark Brown Antique Wooden Tansu Dresser Chest

Dark Brown Antique Wooden Tansu Dresser Chest

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Japanese Taisho period zebra wood tansu chest from the early 20th century with four drawers

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Japanese Tansu Jewelry Chest
Japanese Tansu Jewelry Chest

Japanese Tansu Jewelry Chest

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

An elegant Japanese Tansu Jewelry chest. Made of Japanese elm-keyaki. Handles on the sides, top

Category

Vintage 1960s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Cabinets

Materials

Elm

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

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

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabisabi
Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabisabi

Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabisabi

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

-1900s). This is a "Shonai chest" chest made in the Tohoku region of Japan. It is characterized by its

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabisabi
Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabisabi

Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabisabi

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

Very old Japanese small drawer storage. The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). It is

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1920s / Nightstand Tansu Wabisabi
Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1920s / Nightstand Tansu Wabisabi

Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1920s / Nightstand Tansu Wabisabi

Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP

This is an old drawer storage made in Japan. It was made between the Meiji and Taisho periods

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

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Japanese Tansu Chest For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the Japanese tansu chest you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and cedar, every Japanese tansu chest was constructed with great care. Your living room may not be complete without a Japanese tansu chest — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. A Japanese tansu chest, designed in the mid-century modern, folk art or Art Deco style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. Many designers have produced at least one well-made Japanese tansu chest over the years, but those crafted by Henredon, Baker Furniture Company and Alessandro for Baker Furniture are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Japanese Tansu Chest?

The average selling price for a Japanese tansu chest at 1stDibs is $2,500, while they’re typically $255 on the low end and $28,750 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.

Questions About Japanese Tansu Chest
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
    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 ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A tansu chest is a Japanese cabinet designed for easy transportation and can store a variety of items, including clothes and personal items. Tansu chests often feature multiple compartments to keep items organized. Shop a selection of authentic tansu chests on 1stDibs.

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