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Tansu: Merchant Chests
Cho-Dansu.
The Edo period (1615-1868) was the era of the merchant. The political consolidation under the Tokugawa shogunate offered the country a rare peace lasting more than 200 years. A unified country, albeit in isolation, bolstered economic growth on national and local levels. The businessman, relegated to the lowest social position effectively used these opportunities to enrich and empower themselves.
Merchant's chests constituted a myriad of designs, but when we think of a specific tansu and daily business affairs we think of the stout account book chest. These were the repositories of documents, money, seals, abacus, as well as tea wares.
A range of styles exists (usually associated with specific towns: Sakai, Matsumoto...) but the designs are similar: multiple compartments with doors and drawers in a chest about 30 inches in height and width. Some with decorative lockplates in the shape of moneybags... some with the design simplicity of the best Shaker furniture.
Article on Tansu By David Jackson
Osaka Style 2 piece Cho-Dansu
T-1184
Unusual kiri wood merchant chest with caracteristics of both Osaka style clothing chests and Sakai style merchant chest. Beautiful original patina.
Meiji Era (19th century)
16" deep x 35.75" wide 64.5" tall
$6,400.00 Add
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Mikuni Cho Dansu
$3,600.00
T-1219
Merchants or possibly a clothing chest from Mikuni. Red and black lacquer over Sugi wood. Handforged iron hardware. Mid Meiji era. 17" deep x 35.5" wide x 38" tall
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Medicine chest
T-1234
Kiri wood medicine chest from the Kansai area. Kiri wood face with Sugi wood case. Beautiful original patina. Meiji Era. 1868-1912
33.25 wide x 35.25" tall x 15.25" deep
$4,600.00 Add
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Takayama Ko Dansu
T-1270
Shunkei lacquered personal chest from Takayama, Japan. Hinkoki wood case and drawer faces with Keyaki wood insets. Hand painted kiri wood doors. Hand forged iron hardware. Late 19th century
29 3/4"W x 30 1/2"H x 15"D
$5,500.00 Add
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Merchants traveling box
T-1277
Merchants traveling box or peddlers chest. Lacquered kiri wood with hand forged and engraved iron. Possibly from Hokkaido. Meiji Era. Very good original condition. 19"deep x 14.5" wide x 21.5" tall
$2,500.00 Add
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Tansu
T-1284
Beautiful two section Sado Island keyaki cho dansu. Late Edo-early Meiji. 34 1/2"W x 40"H x 16"D.SOLD
$5,300.00 Add
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