Japanese Stacking Tansu Chest

Designed to be versatile and portable, Japanese tansu chests were multipurpose storage cabinets that moved throughout the home as needed. This example is a two-piece, chest-on-chest tansu (isho kasane-tansu), a clothing chest with multiple drawers used for storing fine clothing, official attire and small valuables. Crafted in the 19th century in the Greater Tokyo region, this stacking tansu is a beautiful example of Japanese cabinetry.

The cabinet is constructed of fir and paulownia with a thin, burgundy lacquer finish and ornamental chased iron hardware. The upper portion features two full-face drawers and the lower features two drawers and a small-door compartment with interior drawers, known as a "privacy box." The drawers are secured with large, round iron lock plates with low relief chrysanthemum diamonds and floral engravings, flanked by simple warabite drawer pulls on horizontal escutcheons. The timeless design is fantastic in any interior, whether stacked as a dresser or separated as a pair of side tables or nightstands.