Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21

Japanese antique wooden storage shelf/ Early 20th century/Wooden cabinet

About the Item

This is a vertical wooden storage cabinet made of Japanese cedar in the first half of the 20th century. Although it is unknown where it was used, its appearance oozes a beauty that transcends practical use. The rustic feel of the material and its quiet presence give it a nostalgic warmth not found in modern furniture. This piece is made entirely of solid Japanese cedar, and the simple and disciplined structure of the vertical cleats, especially on the doors, and the cedar planks passed horizontally and overlapping from the reverse side, bring a perfect balance and rhythm to the overall look of the piece. This kind of design reveals a uniquely Japanese sense of design. The deep candy-colored texture created by the aging process is a taste that only antique pieces can have. The subtle changes in color from suntanning and areas touched by the hand tell a quiet story of the passage of time. The doors are simple and close with small wooden stoppers, preserving the practicality and warmth of the past. The shelves are securely fastened and provide ample storage capacity. Books, clothes, daily necessities, and various other items can be beautifully organized. The backs and shelves are stained and worn from use, and there are also some holes repaired on the sides and small chips. In a modern living space, this shelf can be used as a shelf in a study, as an accent in a living room, or as a quiet corner of a room where one spends quiet time alone, bringing a sense of calmness and flavor to the entire space. These long, locker-like proportions of antique shelves are extremely rare, and it is highly unlikely that similar pieces will be restocked in the future. The simplicity of the materials, the serenity of the form, and the depth given by age. Please welcome such one-of-a-kind charm into your space. Weight: 17kg [We are a specialized team dealing in antiques and vintage items, comprised of stores based on three distinct brands. While focusing on Japanese items, we also offer a carefully curated selection of attractive goods from around the world—each evoking the culture and history of its country of origin. Unlike the traditional Japanese antique furniture and art that have been appreciated overseas until now, we shine a light on the tools and furniture that were used for many years in ordinary Japanese homes and farmhouses. These objects have gained a unique charm over time, their beauty deepened by the history accumulated through daily life. In today’s world, however, many of these precious items are discarded during home demolitions. We are committed to reassessing their value and passing them on to future generations. Drawing from our extensive experience—having seen tens of thousands of items through direct purchases, markets, and auction houses—we carefully select and present only the most captivating pieces. This is something made possible only through the years of knowledge and expertise we have cultivated. Rather than focusing on the widely known facets of Japanese art and culture, we highlight the subtle beauty born from the everyday life of common people. It is this rediscovered beauty, steeped in history, that we strive to share with the world.]
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 66.82 in (169.7 cm)Width: 18.9 in (48 cm)Depth: 17.92 in (45.5 cm)
  • Style:
    Taisho (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Cedar,Woodwork
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Early 20th century
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    Sammu-shi, JP
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU5487244681322

More From This Seller

View All
Japanese antique wooden stool/early 20th century/wooden low table
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This item is a wooden mortar that evokes the good old days of Japan, and is imbued with the aesthetics of history and wabi-sabi. It was once used for celebrations and special occasio...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Taisho Stools

Materials

Wood

Japanese wooden wabi-sabi board/Early 20th century/Display stand/MINGEI
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old wooden work board called a “Kate-Kiri-Ban,” which was used in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, around the early 20th century. The name breaks down as fo...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Antiquities

Materials

Chestnut

Japanese antique wooden work board / 20th century / small display stand
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese wooden workbench made from zelkova wood (keyaki), known for its hardness and beautiful grain. The thick cross-sectional shape clearly reveals the concentric g...
Category

20th Century Japanese Taisho Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Old Japanese wooden rabbit figurine/20th century/carved animal
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a wooden rabbit made in the Taisho to Showa eras (20th century) in Japan. The sculptor's name is engraved on the bottom, and it seems to have been carved by a person named "O...
Category

20th Century Japanese Taisho Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Antique iron hanging bell from Japan or East Asia/Early 20th century
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old iron hanging bell believed to have been made over 100 years ago. It is highly likely that it was manufactured in Japan, though the possibility of Korean or Chinese ori...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Metalwork

Materials

Iron

Old Japanese wabi-sabi wooden tray / 20th century/Tableware[obon]
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a wooden tray made in Japan between the Taisho and early Showa periods. In Japanese, it is called "obon." The material is unknown, but it is thought to be wood such as horse ...
Category

20th Century Japanese Taisho Tableware

Materials

Wood

You May Also Like

Japanese Antique Black Cabinets, Wabi-Sabi, Early 20th Century
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This is a Japanese antique furniture made in the Taisho period (1912-1926). It has four drawers with copper handles from that time. The base of the handles is decorated with a typic...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Americana Arts & Crafts Storage Cabinet
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Rustic Americana Arts & Crafts low profile storage cabinet.
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Japanese Early 20th Century Low Storage Cabinet with Sliding Doors and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Japanese low storage cabinet from the early 20th century, with sliding doors, three drawers and metal hardware. Created in Japan during the earl...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Japanese Early 20th Century Wooden Tansu Clothing Cabinet with Mirrored Door
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Japanese Tansu clothing cabinet from the early 20th century, with mirrored door and iron hardware. Created in Japan during the early years of the 20th century, this tansu ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Cabinets

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century Japanese Taishō Cabinet with Hand-Painted Woodblock Prints
Located in Yonkers, NY
This stunning Japanese Taisho vintage cabinet is a favorite addition to our antique and vintage cabinets collection. Crafted during the ea...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Early 20th C. Antique Dental Cabinet
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1920. We offer this beautiful and amazing cabinet built for the medical field, specifically dentists. 11 drawers. Recently restored. All drawers open easily.
Category

Vintage 1920s American Industrial Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Pine

Recently Viewed

View All