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Edo Decorative Boxes

EDO STYLE

Edo furniture was created during a flourishing time for the decorative arts owing to the stability of the Tokugawa shogunate rule in Japan. Spanning from 1603 to 1867, this era of peace and economic growth supported artistic advancements in lacquer, woodblock printing, porcelain and other artisanal trades. Because the country was largely isolated, there was little outside influence, leading to centuries of exceptional attention to the design of its furnishings and the quality of its traditional arts.

Unlike during the Meiji period that followed, with an increase in domestic and international markets, furniture during the Edo period was predominately commissioned by the ruling class, although people from across social groups benefited from the burgeoning metropolitan hubs for artisanal trades. For instance, Kyoto became a major center for lacquer art. Most furniture pieces were made from wood such as cedar or ash, including the era’s sashimono cabinets, which involved fine joinery and were rooted in the Heian period.

Sashimono cabinets, which were built by master craftsmen in a range of different wood types owing to the various trees that populate Japan, occasionally featured a stack of slender drawers as well as sliding doors. They were popular with everyone from samurai to kabuki actors. Tansu storage chests crafted from wood with metal fittings were also common in Edo-period homes. Some were designed to be easily portable while others were made to double as staircases.

Painted folding screens, called byōbu, were also fashionable, with Japanese artists inspired by nature, literature and scenes of history and daily life to create vivid works. In Buddhist temples and the palatial homes of the aristocratic class, fusuma, or large sliding panels, would sometimes be adorned with gold or silver leaf. These dividers allowed interiors to change throughout the day, closing in small spaces for personal use or reflecting candlelight to illuminate communal spaces after dark.

Find a collection of Edo tables, lighting, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Edo
Japanese 18th Century Tsukinami-e 6 Panel Floor Screen, Edo Period
Located in Norton, MA
A Japanese 18th Century Tsukinami-e 6 Panel Floor Screen depicts the Activities of the Twelve Months of the Year, mineral pigments on gold leaf, mounted on wood panels with 6 frames...
Category

18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold Leaf

Japanese Antique Buddhist Shrine Box "Zushi", Edo Period '1603-1868'
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This antique Buddhist shrine box was crafted in the Edo Period (1603-1868). Known in Japan as a “Zushi,” it served as a small sanctuary to enshrine Buddhist figures, scriptures, or ...
Category

Mid-17th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Cedar

1850s-60s Edo Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi Tansu box chest of drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
product of late Edo period, estimate 1850s- 1860s - about 160+ years-old medium sized tansu (chest of drawers) with 5 drawers. Finished with traditional Urushi lacquer remains well, and some old paper labels still remained, both giving a good wabi sabi touch to the item. Fine opening & closing operation for all drawers. drawer inner 1,2 & 3 (from the top) : w 20.87 in / d 10.63 in / h 2.95 in, 3.35 in, 4.33 in 4 & 5 : w 9.84 in / d 10.63 in / h 5.2 in actual item weight 27.31 lb (12.38 kg) Dear customer - feel free to inquire me for the shipping fee quote. The shipping fee showed in the page is automatically calculated by the system, I'm able to offer reasonable quote via Fedex. *** We're eco-friendly, organic-oriented vintage wood furniture...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Cedar

19th Japanese antique Urushi small Tansu box chest of drawers wabi sabi mingei
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
from Tohoku area, Japan. Japanese antique small box tansu chest of drawers, Kohikidashi, made of Sugi Cedar. Product of circa 1850s-1870s (late Edo to early Meiji era), estimate from...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Cedar

1870s-1900s wabi sabi Japanese antique mid tansu chest of drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Japanese antique mid size Tansu (chest of drawers), product of circa 1870s - 1900s, late Edo to Meiji era, estimate from the style & conditions. Remaining original paint gives a ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Iron

Antique Japanese Lacquer and Inlay Kang Table from Ryukyu Island
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small low table with lacquer and intricate mother-of-pearl inlay design from Ryukyu Islands kingdom circa 17-18th century. Ryukyuan kingdom was used to be an independent island cou...
Category

18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer

Japanese Momoyama Period Black Lacquer and Mother of Pearl Box, 16th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and unusual Japanese black lacquer and mother of pearl inlaid box, Momoyama Period, 16th century, Japan. The large box and cover featu...
Category

16th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer, Abalone

Japanese Lacquered and Gold Leaf Storage Trunk (Nagamochi)
Located in CA, CA
A fine lacquered and gold leaf Nagamochi dating from the late 18th century or early 19th century. The exterior of the trunk and its gilded metal fittings are decorated with a folia...
Category

Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold Leaf

Antique Japanese Ink Stone Maki-e Lacquer Box Suzuribako Edo Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese ink stone box (known as Suzuribako) with exquisite maki-e decoration from Edo period (circa mid-18th century). The box features a rectang...
Category

18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Lacquer Chest, Edo Period
Located in Greding, DE
Small rectangular Japanese chest with gold lacquer decoration in the form of leaf tendrils. The chest is decorated with cut-out and ornamentally engraved fittings on the corners and ...
Category

18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Japanese Lacquer Maki-E Scroll Box Fubako by Kansonsai Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese lacquered wood fubako (a box to store document or small scroll painting) circa late 18th century of Edo period. The rectangular box features a deep lid with rounded corners and recessed mid-edge and a lower box with two bronze medallion rings and tasseled silk ties. The surface of the fubako was elaborately decorated with hiramaki-e and a low takamaki-e on a mottled Mura-nashiji background. The motifs on the lid depict branches of Japanese pine with finely rendered needles on the lower part; on the upper part, it showcases fruited persimmon branches. Two different shades of gold fundame were used to contrast the design and augmented by scattered gold kirigane to highlight some of the leaves. The design continues and cascades down to all sides of the lid as well as the walls of the box. The two bronze medallions appear original to the box and the silk ties show significant fading from the age. This Fine fubako is signed on the lower wall "Kanshosai" in Kanji with a kao mark. All the trims were finished in gold fundame and the interiors a dense nashiji in gold. Kanshosai is the mark of the distinguished lacquer artist Lizuka Toyo I who also signed his work "Toyosai". He was active in the second half of the 18th century during Edo period, employed by Hachisuka Shigeyoshi (1738-1801), daimyo of Awa on Shikoku Island. Although most survived work bearing his marks are inros, he was also known to decorated trays and other larger objects...
Category

Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

A Japanese Edo Period Lacquer Kogo (Incense) Box, late 17/early 18th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Early Japanese Lacquer Incense Box (Kogo) Late 17thc. Of rectangular form with soft corners, decorated with a diaper pattern in gold lacquer on a brownish black ground, with pewter r...
Category

17th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pewter

Japanese Black Lacquer Jubako Box with Stork Motif
Located in Stamford, CT
A four-tier Japanese Meiji period black lacquer Jubako box with stork and fir tree decoration. Box in four sections with lid.
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Antique Japanese Lacquered Incense Box Kobako in Kodaiji Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique lacquered small box that was likely used to contain incense powder (it is called Kobako in Japanese), circa early to mid-19th century of the Edo...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Lacquer Incense Box, Kogo, Momoyama or Edo Period, 16th/17th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A wonderful Japanese lacquer incense box, kogo, with a design of plovers in flight, late Momoyama or early Edo Period, circa 1600, Japan. The small box, called a kogo, was used to s...
Category

Early 17th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold, Pewter

Gold Lacquer Incense Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
A Gold Lacquer Kōbako (Incense Box) Edo Period (1615–1868), Circa 1850 This exquisite gold lacquer kōbako (incense box) exemplifies the refined craftsmans...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold, Silver, Gold Leaf

Japanese Edo Period Igarashi School Long Lacquer Box, Tanzaku-Bako
Located in Austin, TX
A stunning Japanese Edo period lacquer tanzakubako, box for poem cards, late 18th-early 19th century, Edo Period, Japan. Attributed to the Igarashi School, this box is masterfully ...
Category

Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer

Edo-Period Lacquerware Chest
Located in New Orleans, LA
Edo-Period Lacquerware Chest 19th-century This exquisite chest, inspired by Hasami-Bako travel trunks, is a striking example of Japanese lacquerware. The hiramaki-e technique—applie...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold

1920s Large Japanese Maki-E Lacquer Box With Creeping Wood Sorrel Mon Crest
Located in Sheridan, CO
Large Japanese Maki-E Lacquer Box With Creepy Woodsorrel Mon or Kamon. Circa 1920s, black exterior ground various mixed color mon of the Tokugawa Shogunate, silvered metal rim on the...
Category

1920s Japanese Vintage Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold Leaf

Japanese Nagasaki Export Lacquer Box with Depiction of the 'Trippenhuis'
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Japanese Nagasaki export lacquer box with mother-of-pearl depiction of the Amsterdam ‘Trippenhuis’ Edo-period, circa 1830 H. 12.5 x W. 24...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer

Antique Japanese Lacquer and Inlay Table from Ryukyu Islands
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small square-form table with lacquer and intricate mother-of-pearl inlay design from Ryukyu Islands kingdom circa 17-18th century. Ryukyuan kingdom was used to be an independent is...
Category

18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer

Japanese Gilt Tabako-Bon with Mountain Landscape, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This lacquered box is a Japanese tabako-bon, or 'tobacco tray,' used to store tobacco and smoking accessories. Believed to have evolved from the tradition...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Copper

Related Items
Christofle Silver Plated Metal Box, 60s
Located in Catania, IT
Apple” Christofle box in good condition in silver metaL.
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1960s French Vintage Edo Decorative Boxes

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Metal

Christofle Silver Plated Metal Box, 60s
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Small Japanese Lacquer Duck Incense Box, Kogo, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
An exquisite Japanese Meiji Period small lacquer incense box, kogo, in the form of a duck or goose, late 19th century, Japan. The delicate lacquer box, known as a kogo in Japanese, ...
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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Miniature 19th Century Victorian Figured Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Morristown, NJ
19th c. Charming antique miniature chest of drawers. The chest has a marble top. The case is figured mahogany, with four stacked drawers, the ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Marble, Brass

Japanese Lacquer Hokai Box, 19th Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a good example of a traditional Japanese Hokai shell storage box for the Kai-awase game. This box is well-detailed in chased brass appliques and makie. The box is in overall ...
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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

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Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Lacquer Hokai Box, 19th Century
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Japanese Maki-e Lacquer Stacking Box, Jubako, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and impressive Japanese gold maki-e decorated black lacquer five-tier jubako with presentation tray, two lids, and the original tomobako storage box, Meiji period, late 19th c...
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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Japanese Momoyama Period Black Lacquer and Mother of Pearl Box, 16th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and unusual Japanese black lacquer and mother of pearl inlaid box, Momoyama Period, 16th century, Japan. The large box and cover featu...
Category

16th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer, Abalone

Beautifully Worn Late Edo Period Wabi Sabi "Safe"
Located in London, GB
A Beautifully Worn Late Edo Period Wabi Sabi "Safe"/Storage box. Originally used to store money & valuables. Heavily patinated cedar & chestnut. Perf...
Category

19th Century Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Chestnut, Cedar

Beautifully Worn Late Edo Period Wabi Sabi "Safe"
Beautifully Worn Late Edo Period Wabi Sabi "Safe"
$917
H 9.85 in W 9.26 in D 15.75 in
Japanese Zushi Traveling Shrine of Bishamonten, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This gorgeous Japanese red lacquer traveling shrine (zushi) protects a miniature statue of Bishamonten, the Buddhist God of Warfare here depicted as an armor-clad warrior. A fearsome protector, he is thought to defend sacred places, punish evil-doers, expel demons and bestow wealth. In this example, Bishamonten stands atop a crouching demon, dressed in finely painted armor...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Japanese Rinpa Style Lacquer Box Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A black lacquer tebako (hand box) with maki-e decoration and silver trim, circa late 19th century, Meiji period. The surface of the lid features a Rinpa style maki-e paint depicting ...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Rinpa Style Lacquer Box Meiji Period
Japanese Rinpa Style Lacquer Box Meiji Period
$2,200
H 2 in W 4.5 in D 5.5 in
Japanese Black Lacquer Jubako Box with Stork Motif
Located in Stamford, CT
A four-tier Japanese Meiji period black lacquer Jubako box with stork and fir tree decoration. Box in four sections with lid.
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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Japanese Black Lacquer Jubako Box with Stork Motif
Japanese Black Lacquer Jubako Box with Stork Motif
$2,900
H 12.5 in W 9.25 in D 8.5 in
Japanese Antique Black Paper-Covered Pottery Vase 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese ceramic jar covered with layers of traditional paper (washi). It was made during the Meiji period (1860s–1900s) and was originally used for storing and transp...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Paper, Pottery

Japanese Marquetry and Lacquer Jewelry Chest, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A very attractive Japanese wood table top jewelry or collector's chest with marquetry and lacquer decoration, Meiji period, circa 1900, Japan. Previously in the collection of Asbjorn Lunde (1927 - 2017). The chest is crafted in the form of a Chinese seal...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Softwood, Lacquer

Previously Available Items
Exquisite Japanese Lacquer Maki-e Hand Box Kobako Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
An early Japanese lacquer Maki-e decorated kobako (small storage box) circa 18th century (Edo period). Based on its form and size, this kobako was possibly used as a Chabako to store the accoutrements for chado (tea ceremony). The lidded box is of rectangular form with bevel design on all edge that softens the appearance. The entire surface was densely covered with a background of nashiji. Elaborate Maki-e techniques were used on each side to showcase a distinct landscape or floral design within a cartouche panel. On the surface of the lid, a mountainous landscape rises from the edge of the water. The poetic composition is akin to a traditional ink scroll...
Category

18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Late Edo Period Wabi Sabi Japanese Box with Small Drawer
Located in London, GB
A beautifully worn late Edo period chestnut & cedar storage box with small drawer. Perfect as a stand or storage or both!
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Chestnut, Cedar

Antique Japanese Lacquered Incense Box Kobako
Located in Atlanta, GA
An old lacquered small box that was likely used to contain incense powder (it is called Kobako), circa Momoyama to early Edo period (17th century). The square form box with a fitted ...
Category

17th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Iron Bound Sea Chest, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This fantastic iron-bound lock box is a 19th-century Japanese sea chest known as kakesuzuri. Used on merchant vessels traveling the Japanese trade route known as Kitamae, sea chests ...
Category

Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Iron

Japanese Iron Bound Sea Chest, c. 1800
Japanese Iron Bound Sea Chest, c. 1800
H 14.25 in W 12.5 in D 17.5 in
Japanese Black Antique Wooden Box / Wabi-Sabi Storage Box / 1785 / Edo Period
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a storage box made in 1785 during the Edo period in Japan. The year of production is printed in ink on the back of the lid. Probably the box that contained lacquer ware. ...
Category

Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Cedar

19th Century Japanese Hokkai, Lacquered Decorative Box in Gold and Black
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edo period Hokkai, lacquered and painted box. Beautifully painted gold flowers painted o lacquer. Rope can be removed. Brass over copper intricately hammered d...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Copper

Japanese Antique Paper-Covered Box 1800s-1860s/Edo Period Wabisabi Art mingei
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a box covered with old Japanese paper. It is an item from the Edo period. (1800s-1860s) A box made of bamboo is covered with paper. The beautiful picture of the bird is sy...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bamboo, Paper

Japanese Antique Sword Case 1760s-1860s/Exhibition Stand Box Wabisabi Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It was a wooden box for storing Japanese swords. It is an item from the Edo period. (1760-1860s) It is covered with paper. It seems to protect it from moisture. Paper tears o...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Cedar

Small Japanese Lacquer and Metal Mounted Hokkai, Edo Period, 19th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A charming Japanese black and green lacquer hokkai, picnic box, with copper and gilt copper mounts, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan. The small hokkai of square shape and su...
Category

Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Copper

1800s-1900s Edo Period Japanese Antique Box Folk Art Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a box of goods found in a Japanese private house. It is probably an item from the Edo period to the Meiji period. The rattan is covered with paper. There may be tears in the...
Category

Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bamboo

Edo Period Zitan Wood Suzuribako 'Writing Box' with Bamboo Design
Located in Hudson, NY
Edo Period Zitan Wood Suzuribako (Writing Box) with bamboo design, Zitan wood (as stated on storage box) suzuribako with image of bamboo in makie (raised gold). Inner cover has two s...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold Leaf

Japanese Lacquer Sutra Box with Imperial Mon, Kyobako, Edo Period, 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and elegant Japanese sutra box, called a kyobako, in black and gold lacquer, featuring a large imperial sixteen petal chrysanthemum mon against a raised gold lacquer diaper gr...
Category

Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Edo decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Edo decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee.

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