Antique Japanese C. 1850 Edo Era Chobadansu Document Tansu Chest W/ Lock /Key

Known as a chobadansu (document tansu chest), this chest was made in the late Edo era (c.1850) of hinoki (cypress) face and sugi (cryptomeria) case with kiri (paulownia) interiors. The choba - dansu was a special chest used to store document, accounts, money and other valuables for a business enterprise. This chest has has a very unique configuration of 5 drawers and 2 doors (see pictures 3 & 5).

This tansu chest is made with old world craftsmanship using pegged-tenon open-mortise corner box joint construction (see picture 12). This chest has all its 170 year old deep rich patina. All drawers and doors move easily without binding. The two sliding doors lift out easily for open display. All hardware is hand forged iron with warabite (fern hand) style handles and lock plates.  All locks are still operable with included key (see pictures 12). Forged iron side handles aid in transporting this chest even when fully loaded with documents (see picture 7 & 12).

This chest has a century and a half old original warm aged patina and, having been used lovingly for over a century, it remains in very fine original antique condition and should serve one well for another century of use. It measures 24 1/2" wide by 27 1/4" high by 15 1/4" deep (62 x 69 x 39 cm). A great piece of Japanese history and an interesting and very solid and functional piece of furniture.