0
43,965  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 184  ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAY NEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
Home
Return
Dealer Login
500+ Shops
Dealers
Newly Added
0
Saved
Sort Order
Latest
Price Low
Price High
sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA1178263
FOR SALE
£650
Email
Save
Japanese Ship's Tansu Chest
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
for sale €761     $826
£650
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2017
View Dealers Stock Page
  • About Us
    A family run business , second generation of antique dealers est 1977 with 3 warehouses over 6000 sq ft
Relevant Links
Id #SA1178263
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Japanese Ship's Tansu Chest

19th century
Description

This superb Japanese funadansu, a ship’s tansu chest in wonderful antique condition. Originally crafted for use aboard merchant vessels, it was designed to meet the practical demands of maritime trade, often safeguarding documents, tools, and valuables during long voyages. Constructed from solid hardwood, likely keyaki (zelkova) or sugi (cedar), the chest is reinforced with iron corner brackets, straps, and rivets. These hand-forged fittings not only lend a rugged, industrial aesthetic but also served to protect the chest from the rigours of transport and shifting seas. The chest features four deep drawers, each fitted with iron bail handles, ideal for storing a range of items. Its weathered wood grain, aged patina, and robust ironwork give it a commanding decorative presence. Highly prized for their craftsmanship and historical significance, ship’s tansu like this are rare survivors of Japan’s maritime heritage. This well-preserved example stands as a fine testament to functional design and enduring artistry.

Internal reference : SAI3976

Physical Dimensions
Height
44cm (17.32")
Width
50cm (19.69")
Depth
43cm (16.93")
Declaration

Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors has dated this Japanese Ships Tansu Chest to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1178263
Dealers Internal Reference
SAI3976
Dealers Notes

All measurements are done to the widest point .

Please feel free to contact me with any enquiry or for more pictures .

Delivery :

We can arrange to deliver any where in the world just let us know your destination and we will get a quote for you .

Here at Sinclair's Antiques and Interiors we do our utmost best to ensure all our items are described and photographed to show any flaws or damage such as shrinkage splits, losses or lifts to veneer, repairs or marks. However giving the age and the fact that each piece will have had years of polishing to create its own individual character we cannot describe every minor mark separately and therefore recommend you either visit our warehouse or request extra photographs.

We offer a 7 day money back guarantee if you are unhappy with any of your items purchased from us however cannot refund the return shipping cost.

If you are not sure please do not purchase without contacting us.

Description
This superb Japanese funadansu, a ship’s tansu chest in wonderful antique condition.
“
Originally crafted for use aboard merchant vessels, it was designed to meet the practical demands of maritime trade, often safeguarding documents, tools, and valuables during long voyages.
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

Constructed from solid hardwood, likely keyaki (zelkova) or sugi (cedar), the chest is reinforced with iron corner brackets, straps, and rivets. These hand-forged fittings not only lend a rugged, industrial aesthetic but also served to protect the chest from the rigours of transport and shifting seas. The chest features four deep drawers, each fitted with iron bail handles, ideal for storing a range of items. Its weathered wood grain, aged patina, and robust ironwork give it a commanding decorative presence. Highly prized for their craftsmanship and historical significance, ship’s tansu like this are rare survivors of Japan’s maritime heritage. This well-preserved example stands as a fine testament to functional design and enduring artistry.

Internal reference : SAI3976

Height
44cm (17.32")
Width
50cm (19.69")
Depth
43cm (16.93")
Date of Manufacture

Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors has dated this Japanese Ships Tansu Chest to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1178263
Dealers Internal Ref
SAI3976
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2017

A family run business , second generation of antique dealers est 1977 with 3 warehouses over 6000 sq ft

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors Profile Page

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
SAVE
A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers.
1 / 15
Archive I A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers.

Japanese Ship's Tansu Chest

Archive II A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers. View II
Archive III A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers. View III
Archive IV Scale Reference for A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers.
Archive V A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers. View V
Archive VI A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers. View VI
Archive VII A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers. View VII
Archive VIII A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers. View VIII
Archive IX A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers. View IX
Archive X A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers. View X
Archive XI A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers. View XI
Archive XII A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers. View XII
Archive XIII A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers. View XIII
Archive XIV A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers. View XIV
Archive XV A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers. View XV
Enlarged Archival View
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
Telephone 07977 119 787
Location
91 Main Street
Thornton
Fife
KY1 4AQ
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sinclairs
Verified Since Jul 2017
Items For Sale 617
Items Sold 2,406
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
Verified Since Jul 2017
View Dealer Info
Location: 91 Main Street, Thornton, Fife , KY1 4AQ, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sinclairs
Verified
Jul 2017
For Sale
617
Sold
2,406
A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers.
Japanese Ship's Tansu Chest
Ref: SA1178263
A dark brown wooden Japanese ship chest featuring heavy iron corner bracing, stud rivets, central lock plates, and four square drawers.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Detail View 10
Detail View 11
Detail View 12
Detail View 13
Scale Reference
Archival Detail

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

FAQs

Known traditionally as funa-tansu, these specialized chests were carried aboard merchant ships during the Edo and Meiji periods in Japan. They served as secure mobile safes for ship captains and merchants to store currency, official records, and trade documents during coastal voyages.

These chests were typically constructed using dense, durable timbers such as keyaki (elm) or sugi (cedar) to protect contents from sea air. The exterior was reinforced with heavy hand-forged iron plates, rivets, and corner brackets to provide structural integrity against maritime travel.

Authentic period examples exhibit hand-forged iron hardware with subtle variations, traditional joinery techniques without modern nails, and genuine age-related wear to the timber and lacquer. The presence of functional lock plates, iron corner reinforcements, and dense heavy wood is characteristic of period ship chests.

A tansu chest creates a bold visual anchor when placed in a contemporary living space, hallway, or study. Its rich patinated timber and industrial ironwork pair well alongside minimal modern furnishings, adding historic texture and architectural contrast.

Keep the timber away from direct heat sources and excessive moisture to prevent warping or cracking of the wood. Clean surfaces using a soft dry cloth, and apply a light coat of microcrystalline wax occasionally to protect both the wood finish and the iron mounts from oxidisation.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Movements
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Freshness
Online Payments
Categories