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Japanese Antique Large Black Tansu 1860s-1900s / Sideboard Cabinet Wabisabi
$4,500
£3,492.85
€3,979.53
CA$6,430.99
A$7,003.83
CHF 3,692.88
MX$85,186.80
NOK 46,437.76
SEK 43,554.82
DKK 29,716.33
About the Item
Japanese Antique Large Black Chest (Tansu) / Meiji Period (1860s–1900s) / Wabi-Sabi
This is a large, black-lacquered Japanese chest (Tansu) crafted during the Meiji period (1860s–1900s).
It embodies the profound beauty of Japanese tradition and philosophy. Made of sugi (Japanese cedar), a wood cherished for its soft warmth and elegant grain, it has developed a deep, natural patina over time radiating a quiet yet commanding presence that no modern finish can replicate.
The design is stripped to its purest essence. Every line is intentional, every surface speaks of restraint.
The slatted sliding doors on the front are particularly striking, recalling the refined harmony found in traditional Japanese architecture. Constructed entirely of straight lines, the structure achieves a perfect equilibrium between serenity and strength. The doors glide smoothly, and the interior shelves remain highly functional for modern use.
The deep, black surface tone was not painted but formed naturally over decades by soot rising from an old irori (traditional hearth).
This subtle black-brown hue, soft and absorbent of light, cannot be reproduced artificially. It tells a quiet story of time, warmth, and living spaces once filled with life. Gentle abrasions and small marks across the surface are not flaws they are traces of generations past, signs of a life well lived and well cared for.
On the left side are small nail marks, not insect damage.
At the back, a section that was cut long ago during its use has been carefully repaired with a piece of aged galvanized metal. This restoration, done with humility and respect, enhances rather than detracts from its character.
The entire piece has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, ensuring it is ready for immediate and safe use.
Beyond being a piece of furniture, this Tansu stands as a sculptural presence—equally at home in a gallery, boutique, or as an architectural focal point in a contemporary interior.
Its commanding simplicity and tactile surface evoke a deep sense of calm, creating a dialogue between old and new, imperfection and elegance.
This work beautifully embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi: finding beauty in imperfection and transience.
It rejects ornamentation and opulence, instead embracing quiet sophistication and timeless grace. Each mark, each shadow, and each layer of soot reveals the passage of time and the hand of the craftsman—a visual meditation on impermanence.
For centuries, Japanese artisans have created and handed down tools and furniture using natural materials, nurturing a culture of respect and resilience.
Objects like this Tansu were not made to be consumed, but to be lived with—slowly acquiring their soul through touch, time, and use.
In an age of mass production and disposability, restoring and preserving such pieces is an act of reverence.
It reconnects us to the essence of craftsmanship and to the idea that true beauty deepens, not diminishes, with time.
We carefully select exceptional antiques from across Japan that embody this enduring spirit.
Each piece carries not only material history but also an emotional resonance an invitation to experience the poetry of time through form, texture, and silence.
- Dimensions:Height: 34.26 in (87 cm)Width: 66.34 in (168.5 cm)Depth: 19.69 in (50 cm)
- Style:Meiji (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Cedar,Woodwork
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1860s-1900s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Sammu-shi, JP
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5487247340342
About the Seller
5.0
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Established in 2015
1stDibs seller since 2020
1,668 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 5 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Sammushi, Japan
- Return Policy
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