Search 0
12,488  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 36 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
36 ITEMS ADDED TODAY
Home
Return
Dealer Login
500+ Shops
Dealers
Newly Added
0
Saved
Sort Order
Items Per Page
sellingantiques.co.uk
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA1199194
FOR SALE
£795
Email
Save
Japanese Keyaki Merchant (Tansu) Chest
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors
for sale €930     $1,010
£795
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2017
Browse dealers 587 items
  • About Us
    A family run business , second generation of antique dealers est 1977 with 3 warehouses over 6000 sq ft
Relevant Links
Id #SA1199194
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Japanese Keyaki Merchant (Tansu) Chest

19th century
Description

A fabulous Japanese Keyaki merchant chest (Tansu) in excellent antique condition. Crafted from the highly prized Japanese elm, (Keyaki ) so sought after in quality cabinetry. The piece features a beautifully arranged mix of drawers and cupboards, all fitted with their original forged-iron hardware, drawer pulls, corner brackets, and lock plates, each showing an attractive, time-softened patina. The upper cupboard is particularly striking, fitted with engraved oval plates depicting a traditional Japanese landscape, adding a refined decorative touch. The combination of solid Keyaki construction and hand-forged metalwork suggests this chest was made for a merchant of status or for a specialised trade, where both durability and presentation mattered. This is a standout Tansu, rich in character and craftsmanship. It works effortlessly in both traditional and contemporary interiors and provides practical storage for a wide range of household items while serving as a strong decorative focal point.

Physical Dimensions
Height
94.5cm (37.20")
Width
88cm (34.65")
Depth
33.5cm (13.19")
Declaration

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

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1199194
Dealers Internal Reference
SAI4090
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
A fabulous Japanese Keyaki merchant chest (Tansu) in excellent antique condition. Crafted from the highly prized Japanese elm, (Keyaki ) so sought after in quality cabinetry. The piece features a beautifully arranged mix of drawers and cupboards, all fitted with their original forged-iron hardware, drawer pulls, corner brackets, and lock plates, each showing an attractive, time-softened patina.
“
The upper cupboard is particularly striking, fitted with engraved oval plates depicting a traditional Japanese landscape, adding a refined decorative touch.
Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

The combination of solid Keyaki construction and hand-forged metalwork suggests this chest was made for a merchant of status or for a specialised trade, where both durability and presentation mattered. This is a standout Tansu, rich in character and craftsmanship. It works effortlessly in both traditional and contemporary interiors and provides practical storage for a wide range of household items while serving as a strong decorative focal point.

Height
94.5cm (37.20")
Width
88cm (34.65")
Depth
33.5cm (13.19")
Date of Manufacture

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

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1199194
Dealers Internal Ref
SAI4090
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

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors.
1 / 16
Archive I A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors.

Japanese Keyaki Merchant (Tansu) Chest

Archive II A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors. View II
Archive III A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors. View III
Archive IV A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors. View IV
Archive V A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors. View V
Archive VI A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors. View VI
Archive VII A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors. View VII
Archive VIII A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors. View VIII
Archive IX A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors. View IX
Archive X A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors. View X
Archive XI A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors. View XI
Archive XII A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors. View XII
Archive XIII A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors. View XIII
Archive XIV A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors. View XIV
Archive XV A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors. View XV
Archive XVI A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors. View XVI
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 587
Items Sold 2,455
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
587
Sold
2,455
A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors.
Japanese Keyaki Merchant (Tansu) Chest
Ref: SA1199194
A rectangular Japanese keyaki wood merchant tansu chest featuring iron corner mounts, multiple drawers, warabite handles, and sliding compartment doors.
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
Detail View 14
Detail View 15
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

Tansu refers to traditional mobile storage cabinets produced in Japan during the Edo and Meiji periods, designed for holding clothing, trade documents, or household valuables.

These cabinets are typically constructed using keyaki (elm), paulownia, or cedar woods, paired with hand-forged iron plates, corner braces, and handles for structural integrity.

Authentic examples feature hand-forged iron hardware, traditional joinery such as mortise-and-tenon joints without nail fasteners, and natural surface patination across the timber.

A Tansu chest serves as a focal piece in entryways, living areas, or dining spaces, pairing effectively with minimalist furniture, clean architectural lines, and neutral textile accents.

Keep the timber away from direct heat sources and high humidity to prevent warping, dust regularly with a soft dry cloth, and apply a clear beeswax paste periodically to protect the finish.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Movements
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Freshness
Online Payments
Categories