Vintage Japanese Kyodai Dressing Mirror with Carved Foliate Apron and Stepped Drawer Base, Mid-Showa Era 1946-1965

Vintage Japanese Kyodai Dressing Mirror with Carved Foliate Apron and Stepped Drawer Base, Mid-Showa Era 1946-1965

A stately mid-century kyodai -- full-length tilting mirror over a stepped drawer chest -- finished in deep dark-polished hardwood with hand-carved foliate scrollwork.

A kyodai is a traditional Japanese full-length dressing mirror, typically featuring a tall tilting glass panel mounted on pivot arms above a compact chest of drawers used to store grooming accessories, cosmetics, and personal effects. This example, dating to the mid-Showa era (1946-1965), represents a particularly refined period of Japanese furniture making when Western cheval-mirror forms were absorbed into domestic craft traditions and reinterpreted with distinctly Japanese sensibilities. The mirror panel is framed in smoothly rounded hardwood with softened corners and sits on side pivot mounts secured by knurled tightening knobs, allowing the angle to be adjusted precisely. Below the mirror, a hand-carved apron featuring scrolling foliate and rosette motifs bridges the frame to the asymmetric stepped drawer base -- an elegant flourish that elevates this piece well above everyday utility furniture. The deep oxblood-dark finish, applied uniformly across the frame, apron, and chest, gives the whole piece a commanding, lacquer-like presence consistent with quality Japanese vintage furniture of this period.

In a modern home, this vintage kyodai makes an immediate impact as a bedroom statement piece -- a full-length mirror combined with generous drawer storage for jewelry, accessories, or grooming essentials. Its stepped, asymmetric base adds sculptural interest that suits both Japandi style interiors and mid-century modern bedroom decor. Placed in an entryway, it functions as a dramatic hall mirror with hidden storage, a practical and striking alternative to a standard console. It also works beautifully as a dressing room centerpiece or a living room accent for collectors of Japanese vintage furniture. A unique housewarming gift for the design-conscious buyer who appreciates handcrafted Japanese pieces with real history and character.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Hardwood with dark polished finish; glass mirror panel; metal tightening knobs on pivot mounts
• Use: Full-length dressing mirror with integrated drawer chest for storing cosmetics, grooming tools, and personal accessories
• Modern Use: Bedroom vanity mirror with storage; entryway hall mirror with hidden compartments; dressing room or boutique display centerpiece
• Features: Tall tilting mirror on side pivot mounts with knurled tightening knobs; rounded and softly profiled mirror frame; hand-carved scrolling foliate and rosette apron below mirror; stepped asymmetric drawer base with multiple pull-out drawers fitted with oval metal pulls; deep dark polished finish throughout; shaped bracket feet
• Dimensions: 19 1/2"W x 10"D x 50"H
• Condition: Excellent

A commanding piece of vintage Japanese vintage furniture -- where traditional kyodai craftsmanship meets sculptural beauty for the modern interior.

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 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.