Antique Japanese Funa Tansu with Iron Hardware and Interior Drawers, Meiji Period, 1868-1911

Antique Japanese Funa Tansu with Iron Hardware and Interior Drawers, Meiji Period, 1868-1911

A compact Meiji-period Japanese funa tansu with a hinged front door, substantial iron fittings, a top carry handle, and fitted interior drawers for secure transport and storage.

This antique Japanese funa tansu is a small, strongly built chest designed with portability and security in mind. The rectangular wooden body is reinforced with hand-worked iron corner mounts, edge straps, and a series of long iron hinge plates along the door side. A circular iron handle is mounted on the top, and the front door is fitted with an iron lock plate and knob, underscoring the chest's practical, travel-ready character. The warm dark wood surface shows age, use, and patina consistent with a utilitarian piece from the Meiji period (1868-1911).

When opened, the chest reveals a compact fitted interior with two upper drawers above a lower section with smaller doors or drawer fronts and a deeper bottom drawer. The arrangement makes efficient use of the small footprint while keeping contents protected behind the outer door. With its dense construction, iron-bound exterior, and carrying handle, this piece embodies the durable craftsmanship associated with Japanese shipboard and transport chests. Today it works beautifully as a collector's object, a table-top accent, or a distinctive place to store jewelry, documents, and other small valuables.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Meiji period, 1868-1911
• Material: Wood body with iron hardware and top carry handle
• Use: Portable chest for securing and organizing small valuables and personal effects
• Modern Use: Table-top storage for jewelry, keepsakes, stationery, or collectibles; decorative accent in a study, living room, or bedroom
• Features: Hinged front door; iron lock plate and knob; multiple iron hinge straps; reinforced iron corner mounts; fitted interior drawers and compartments; handwritten ink inscription on underside or base panel
• Dimensions: 11 1/2"W x 15"D x 13 1/4"H
• Condition: Good antique condition with age, wear, surface marks, and patina consistent with use

A character-rich Japanese antique with compact scale, practical interior storage, and the enduring appeal of hand-fitted iron hardware.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All 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.