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  • Home
  • MERCHANT CHESTS

MERCHANT CHESTS

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.
Merchant's Chest Japanese Antique Furniture Storage

Merchant's Chest Japanese Antique Furniture Storage

$3,500.00
Kansai Merchant Chest Japanese Antique Furniture Cabinet

Kansai Merchant Chest Japanese Antique Furniture Cabinet

$4,800.00
Funa Dansu Japanese Antique Furniture Iron Hardware

Funa Dansu Chest Storage Japanese Antique Furniture Iron Hardware

$18,500.00
Mae Bako Ships Chest Japanese Antique Furniture Writing Box Storage

Mae Bako Ships Chest Japanese Antique Furniture Writing Box Storage

$3,250.00
Funa Dansu Chest Storage Japanese Antique Furniture Iron Hardware

Funa Dansu Chest Storage Japanese Antique Furniture Iron Hardware

$4,950.00
Sado Cho Dansu Japanese Antique Furniture

Sado Cho Dansu Japanese Antique Furniture

$22,000.00
Cho Dansu Japanese Antique Furniture Tansu Merchant Chest Storage

Cho Dansu Japanese Antique Furniture Tansu Merchant Chest Storage

$1,900.00
Gifu Cho Dansu Merchant Chest Japanese Antique Furniture Iron Hardware

Gifu Cho Dansu Japanese Antique Furniture Iron Hardware

$3,900.00
Japanese Antique Sea Captain's Chest

Japanese Antique Sea Captain's Chest

$22,500.00
Merchant's Ledger Chest from Omi Japanese Antique Furniture Storage

Merchant's Ledger Chest from Omi Japanese Antique Furniture Storage

$3,500.00
Merchant Chest from Matsumoto Japanese Antique Furniture Storage

Merchant Chest from Matsumoto Japanese Antique Furniture Storage

$5,600.00
Kuruma Dansu - Large Rolling Merchant Chest Japanese Antique Furniture

Kuruma Dansu - Large Rolling Merchant Chest Japanese Antique Furniture

$12,500.00

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