Antique Japanese Haribako Sewing Box, 1912 - 1926 (Taisho) | SKU: 26M-826

Japanese Haribako Sewing Box | Antique Jewelry Box & Desk Organizer, 1912-1926 (Taisho), SKU 26M-826

A masterwork of Taisho-era craft -- richly figured hardwood with a hinged lid, multiple pull-out drawers, and a large open well, all in remarkably fine condition.

A haribako is a traditional Japanese sewing box used to store needles, thread, scissors, and other needlework tools. During the Taisho period (1912-1926), haribako were prized household objects that reflected the taste and care of their owners, and skilled craftsmen competed to produce ever more beautiful examples. This handcrafted Japanese antique is surfaced in a deeply swirling burl veneer -- most likely keyaki (Japanese Zelkova) or a similarly figured native hardwood -- that glows with an amber-to-crimson depth under lacquer. The joinery is exceptionally tight throughout, with the structural carcass clad in straight-grained wood visible on the sides and top. A hinged split lid, secured by a pair of scallop-edged metal hinge plates, opens to reveal a generous open storage well with a removable interior tray. Below the lid, several pull-out drawers in a stepped asymmetrical arrangement -- each fitted with a gracefully scrolled carved wood pull -- provide organized compartmentalized storage, their black-lacquered interiors still crisp and clean. The carved pulls are a hallmark of quality Taisho-era Japanese antique furniture, carved from the same rich hardwood as the carcass rather than cast in metal.

Today this stunning haribako translates effortlessly into contemporary living spaces. On a bedroom vanity or dressing table it becomes an elegant jewelry box and keepsake organizer, each drawer perfectly sized for rings, earrings, or folded scarves. In a home office it serves as a sophisticated desk organizer -- pens and stationery in the open well, small notepads and accessories sorted among the drawers -- adding a wabi-sabi aesthetic warmth to any minimalist decor. It also makes an exceptional display piece on a bookshelf or entryway console in a Japandi-style interior, where its extraordinary burl figure commands immediate attention. A unique gift for collectors, Japanophiles, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese antique furniture with genuine history and beauty.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Boldly figured burl hardwood veneer, possibly keyaki (Japanese Zelkova); straight-grained secondary wood on structural surfaces; black-lacquered drawer interiors; carved hardwood pulls; scallop-edged metal hinge plates
• Use: Haribako -- traditional Japanese sewing and needlework storage box
• Modern Use: Jewelry box and keepsake organizer for bedroom decor; desk organizer for home office storage; decorative accent piece in a Japandi-style living room or entryway
• Features: Hinged split lid with scallop-edged metal hinge plates; large open interior well with removable tray; multiple pull-out drawers in an asymmetrical stepped layout; each drawer fitted with a carved scrolled wood pull; rich burl veneer throughout the exterior; clean black-lacquered drawer interiors
• Dimensions: 12 3/4"W x 7"D x 9 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare and beautiful piece of Japanese antique furniture -- this Taisho haribako brings over a century of quiet craftsmanship and extraordinary burl character into any modern home.

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 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.