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ID #SA1192057
FOR SALE
£950
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Taisho Period Japanese Elm Tansu Chest – Circa 1910
Arundel Decorative
for sale €1,112     $1,207
£950
Arundel Decorative

Arundel Decorative

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2026
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    Decorative french and period english furniture
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Id #SA1192057
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Taisho Period Japanese Elm Tansu Chest – Circa 1910

1900 - 1920
Description

A beautifully composed Japanese Tansu chest from the Taisho period, crafted in richly grained elm (keyaki), prized for its durability and expressive figuring. This piece exemplifies the transitional elegance of early 20th-century Japan, where traditional joinery met subtle Western influences in proportion and finish.

The upper section features a harmonious arrangement of sliding doors and a hinged cabinet, accented with original iron hardware in stylised chrysanthemum and cloud motifs. Below, a series of graduated drawers offer practical storage, each fitted with forged iron warabite handles and decorative lock plates, reflecting the meticulous metalwork of the era.

The chest’s warm patina and understated symmetry evoke the refined simplicity of Japanese domestic interiors, while its modular construction hints at its original use—possibly as a merchant’s chest or household storage, designed for portability and adaptability.

This Tansu is not only a functional piece but a testament to Taisho-era aesthetics: a quiet blend of Meiji-era craftsmanship and the emerging modern sensibility. Ideal for collectors of Japanese antiques, wabi-sabi interiors, or film and theatre settings seeking authentic period detail.

Delivery available nationwide

Physical Dimensions
Height
163cm (64.17")
Width
114cm (44.88")
Depth
41cm (16.14")
Declaration

Arundel Decorative has dated this Japanese Elm Tansu Chest to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1192057
Description
A beautifully composed Japanese Tansu chest from the Taisho period, crafted in richly grained elm (keyaki), prized for its durability and expressive figuring.
“
This piece exemplifies the transitional elegance of early 20th-century Japan, where traditional joinery met subtle Western influences in proportion and finish.
Arundel Decorative
fig 1. A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers.
fig 1. Taisho Period Japanese Elm Tansu Chest – Circa 1910

The upper section features a harmonious arrangement of sliding doors and a hinged cabinet, accented with original iron hardware in stylised chrysanthemum and cloud motifs. Below, a series of graduated drawers offer practical storage, each fitted with forged iron warabite handles and decorative lock plates, reflecting the meticulous metalwork of the era.

fig 2. A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers.
fig 2. Taisho Period Japanese Elm Tansu Chest – Circa 1910

The chest’s warm patina and understated symmetry evoke the refined simplicity of Japanese domestic interiors, while its modular construction hints at its original use—possibly as a merchant’s chest or household storage, designed for portability and adaptability.

fig 3. A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers.
fig 3. Taisho Period Japanese Elm Tansu Chest – Circa 1910

This Tansu is not only a functional piece but a testament to Taisho-era aesthetics: a quiet blend of Meiji-era craftsmanship and the emerging modern sensibility. Ideal for collectors of Japanese antiques, wabi-sabi interiors, or film and theatre settings seeking authentic period detail.

Delivery available nationwide

Height
163cm (64.17")
Width
114cm (44.88")
Depth
41cm (16.14")
Date of Manufacture

Arundel Decorative has dated this Japanese Elm Tansu Chest to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1192057
Arundel Decorative
Arundel Decorative
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2026

Decorative french and period english furniture

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Arundel Decorative Profile Page

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A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers.
1 / 11
Archive I A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers.

Taisho Period Japanese Elm Tansu Chest – Circa 1910

Archive II A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers. View II
Archive III A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers. View III
Archive IV A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers. View IV
Archive V A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers. View V
Archive VI A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers. View VI
Archive VII A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers. View VII
Archive VIII A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers. View VIII
Archive IX A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers. View IX
Archive X A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers. View X
Archive XI A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers. View XI
Enlarged Archival View
Arundel Decorative

Arundel Decorative
Telephone 07967 604264
Location
Merchants Hall
Rear of 18 High Street
Arundel
West Sussex
BN18 9AB
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/arundeldecorative
Verified Since Jan 2026
Items For Sale 34
Items Sold 13
Arundel Decorative
Arundel Decorative
Verified Since Jan 2026
View Dealer Info
Location: Merchants Hall, Rear of 18 High Street, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9AB, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/arundeldecorative
Verified
Jan 2026
For Sale
34
Sold
13
A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers.
Taisho Period Japanese Elm Tansu Chest – Circa 1910
Ref: SA1192057
A tall Taisho period Japanese elm tansu chest featuring prominent wood grain, circular brass escutcheons, sliding top cabinet doors, and multiple drawers.
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Archival Detail

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FAQs

A tansu is a traditional mobile storage cabinet originating from Japan, historically used to store clothing, documents, or household items during the Edo, Meiji, and Taisho periods.

Tansu chests were typically constructed using native Japanese woods such as keyaki (elm), sugi (cedar), and hinoki (cypress), joined with traditional joinery and reinforced with iron or brass hardware.

Authentic Taisho period pieces feature hand-forged or early cast metal hardware, natural wood grain patterns, traditional mortise and tenon joinery, and signs of age such as natural patina or hardware oxidisation.

A tansu chest functions as a focal statement piece in a hallway, bedroom, or living space, offering practical storage while contrasting clean modern lines with rich wood textures and metal hardware.

Dust the surface regularly with a dry, soft cloth, keep the chest away from direct sunlight or heat sources to prevent wood shrinkage, and apply natural beeswax occasionally to protect the finish.
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