Antique Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest With Distinctive Hardware On Sliding Door, Katabiraki Door And Multi-sized Gunpai Pull Drawers - 1900s Meiji Era (25D-D005)

Antique Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest With Distinctive Hardware On Sliding Door Katabiraki Door And Multi Sized Gunpai Pull Drawers (SKU 25D-D005)

Finely crafted Meiji-era ko tansu with bold iron fittings, katabiraki doors, and multi-sized gunbai-style drawers.

This compact antique Japanese ko tansu embodies the refined utility of traditional merchant storage. The warm, honey-toned keyaki-style carcass is wrapped with richly patinated iron hardware, creating a striking graphic contrast that highlights the symmetry of the sliding and hinged katabiraki doors and the rhythm of the surrounding drawers. Each iron plate has been hand-forged, with scalloped edges, layered lock plates, and domed bosses that speak to the skill of the original metalsmith.

A vertical bank of small drawers with distinctive gunpai (war fan–inspired) pulls balances the broader drawers and central cabinet, offering highly organized storage for writing tools, documents, or tea utensils. Side carry-handles, interior shelving, and working drawers make this ko tansu both decorative and practical, ideal as an accent chest, bedside cabinet, or entryway piece that brings authentic Meiji-period character into a contemporary interior.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Meiji period (late 19th–early 20th century)
• Material: Softwood carcass with hand-forged iron hardware
• Use: Merchant or household storage chest; ideal today as an accent cabinet or side chest
• Features: Ko tansu form with katabiraki door compartment, sliding doors, multi-sized gunpai pull drawers, decorative lock plates, side carry-handles, and rich original patina
• Dimensions: 29 1/2"W x 14 1/2"D x 33"H
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition with age-appropriate wear and patination to wood and iron fittings

A characterful ko tansu that offers authentic Japanese craftsmanship, versatile storage, and a strong sculptural presence in any room.

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All vintage and antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.