Japanese Small Chest of Drawers, Tansu, Japan, Wabi Sabi
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A small Japanese tansu chest, crafted in the end of 19th century.
Early 20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Japanese Small Chest of Drawers, Tansu, Japan, Wabi Sabi
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A small Japanese tansu chest, crafted in the end of 19th century.
Wood
Japanese 19th Century Meiji Period Brown and Black Tansu Clothing Chest
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period tansu clothing chest from the 19th century, with black and brown patina.
Wood
Japanese Meiji Period Tansu Chest in the Sendai Dansu Style Made of Keyaki Wood
Located in Torino, IT
This 19th-century Japanese Tansu clothing chest produced in the Meiji period is made of Japanese cedar wood (cryptomeria Japonica) in its inner parts, while for the outer parts it is...
Iron
1930s Japanese Antique Lacquer Sendai Tansu Clothing Chest
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1930s Japanese lacquer Sendai Tansu Chest of drawers. Looks to be solid pine construction with a lacquered finish.
Iron
Japanese Meiji 19th Century Kuruma Tansu Lacquered Chest with Safe on Wheels
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period merchant's Kuruma tansu chest from the 19th century, with four large drawers and a lateral door concealing additional drawers.
Iron
Vintage Ebonized Chinoiserie Chest
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fantastic mid-century Chinoiserie/Tansu chest combining eastern aesthetic influences with western construction & craftsmanship.
Metal, Brass
Japanese Meiji Period Late 19th Century Isho-Dansu Chest with Iron Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
Tansus were portable chests, meant to store objects of daily use such as clothes.
Iron
1820s-1860s Japanese antique cabinet, wabi sabi tansu medicine chest of drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Japanese antique large cabinet, tansu chest of drawers in the vein of Kusuri dansu (Medicine / apothecary chest).
Wood, Hardwood
$7,150 / set
Matched Pair of Japanese Tansus on Iron Bases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This matched pair of Japanese tansu chests combines antique craftsmanship with a modern presentation.
Elm
Japanese 19th Century Lacquered Sendai Clothing Tansu with Elaborate Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
Born during the 19th century, this wooden Tansu chest is a fine example of Japan's traditional cabinetry.
Iron
Meiji Period Japanese Two-Part Keyaki and Kiri Wood Isho-Dansu Chest
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period two-section tansu chest dating to the late 19th century, combining beautifully figured wood drawer fronts with dark-finished casework and traditional...
Iron
Japanese 19th Century Keyaki Wood Isho Dansu Clothing Chest with Iron Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
The clean lines and nicely weathered appearance of this tansu chest enhance its timeless beauty, while the conveniently placed handles on the sides ensure easy mobility.
Iron
Antique Traditional Japanese Storage Chest - Tansu
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Traditional Japanese merchant's or household tansu storage chest, probably from the early 1900s to 1930s.
Iron
Antique Japanese Tansu Campaign Style Orange Lacquer Stacking Chest
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an antique Asian Tansu campaign style stacking burnt orange lacquer chest.
Iron
Japanese Antique Drawer Chest 1860s-1920s / Tansu Sideboard Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an antique Japanese drawer chest dating from the Meiji to Taishō period (1860s–1920s). Crafted from cedar wood, it features simple iron handles on the front. The balanced arr...
Iron
Henredon 3 Drawer Bachelors Chest with Campaign and Tansu Elements
By Henredon
Located in Chicago, IL
Henredon 3 drawer bachelors chest that blends British military campaign style with Japanese Tansu components.
Brass
Japanese Antique Small Chests of Drawers , Tansu, Wabi-Sabi
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This storage box with drawers was made during the Taisho period(1900-1926). The base is made of light and durable paulownia wood, and the drawers are made of cherry wood. The beaut...
Wood
Edo Period Japanese Drawer Chest 1854s-1860s / Tansu Sideboard Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an antique Japanese chest of drawers. With its elegant, horizontally proportioned form and beautifully aged wood, it is a fine example of traditional Japanese storage furnitu...
Iron
Japanese Meiji Period Two-Part Tansu Merchant Chest with Iron Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period two-part chōba-dansu merchant’s chest, circa 1890, featuring a richly patinated wood surface and extensive dark iron hardware.
Iron
$4,265Sale Price|35% Off
Early Meiji Period Japanese Tansu Cabinet/Chest Of Drawers Wabi Sami
Located in London, GB
A six drawer early Meiji period cedar tansu cabinet/chest of drawers. A beautiful and very practical piece of furniture.
Iron
Japanese Antique Chests of Drawers 1860s-1900s /Tansu, Wabi-Sabi
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This small drawer was produced in the Taisho period. This chest is made of sturdy cedar with a lacquer finish, with a base panel made of lightweight paulownia wood and an iron handl...
Wood
Edo Period Japanese Gyosho Tansu, Traveling Merchant Chest with Multiple Drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Antique Japanese Tansu box chest of drawers, which is originally as Gyosyo tansu (Peddler's chest), product of late Edo - Meiji era (estimate 1860s-1910s).
Wood, Cedar
Japanese Antique Massive Drawer Chest 1860s-1900s / Tansu Sideboard Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a huge old Japanese-made drawer storage. The furniture was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s) and is made of cedar wood with rustic and practical iron hardware on the...
Iron
Japanese Antique Small Drawer Chest 1860s-1900s / Nightstand Tansu Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an antique Japanese small drawer chest dating from the Meiji period (1860s–1900s). Crafted from cedar wood, it features two large drawers arranged vertically, each fitted wit...
Iron
$4,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Fantastic Pair Baker Modern Asian Tansu Bachelors Chest Chinoiserie Mid-Century
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Amazingly beautiful pair of Japanese Tansu bachelors chests by Baker. Dark stained oak with fantastic Japanese-inspired hardware.
Metal
Edo Period Japanese Large Drawer Chest 1800s-1860s / Tansu Sideboard Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a large antique Japanese chest of drawers, crafted during the Edo period (circa 1800s–1860s). At first glance, the piece conveys an unmistakable sense of solidity, strength, ...
Iron
Japanese Edo Period Apothecary Chest (Tansu), Kaei 1 (1848), Wabi-Sabi
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This Japanese apothecary chest (tansu) dates to the first year of Kaei (1848), late Edo period.
Iron
Antique Japanese Meiji Period Isho-Tansu Single-Section Chest with Iron Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
Crafted in Japan during the Meiji period (1868–1912), this authentic single-section Isho-tansu (clothing storage chest) offers a striking combination of traditional craftsmanship, fu...
Iron
Japanese Antique Black Drawer Chest 1860s-1900s / Tansu Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese black drawer cabinet. Quietly standing in space, it brings a deep sense of balance and quiet tension without ever appearing overly assertive. It is believed ...
Iron
$1,640Sale Price|20% Off
Edo Japanese Wabi-Sabi Dougu / Kusuri Tansu, Tool / Medicine chest Late 19th Cen
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Originally made as tool chest or medicine chest, made of thick, fine grade reddish Sugi cedar.
Wood, Cedar
1886 (Meiji 19) Japanese antique dougu tansu, tool chest of drawers wabi sabi
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
., Japan. Antique dougu tansu, tool chest of drawers made of Yamizo Sugi cedar made in the year 1886 (Meiji 19).
Wood, Cedar
$5,388Sale Price|30% Off
A Large Early 19th C. Late Edo Period Tansu Cabinet/Chest Of Drawers Wabi Wabi
Located in London, GB
An eight drawer early Meiji period cedar tansu cabinet/chest of drawers. A beautiful and very practical piece of furniture.
Iron
Japanese Antique NT Tansu 1900–1935
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Japanese Antique NT Tansu 1900–1935 Japanese Wooden Cupboard Japan, Early 20th Century Cedar wood (presumed) A traditional Japanese wooden cupboard, characterized by its simple co...
Cedar
19th Century Antique Japanese Todana Tansu Storage Cabinet
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Antique Japanese todana tansu - 19th Antique - Oriental Decoration Measures : 97cmx44cm H:53cm Materials : Wood & Ironwork Wear Consistent with age and use
Iron
Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese small drawer storage. The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). This is a "Shonai chest" chest made in the Tohoku region of Japan. It is chara...
Cedar
1970s Henredon Chinoiserie Tansu Campaign Commodes in Mahogany & Brass
By Henredon
Located in Southampton, NJ
A pair of Henredon Chinoiserie Tansu Commode size nightstands with traditional Campaign styling.
Brass
Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Very old Japanese small drawer storage. The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). It is made of cedar wood. The handles are made of iron. The design is ultimately simple...
Cedar
Japanese Antique BK Small Drawer Meiji / Tansu Storage Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old black-lacquered drawer storage unit made in Japan. Judging from the handle design, it appears to date from the Meiji period. It is very old. It comes with a lock. ...
Cedar
Japanese Antique BK Small Drawer primitive / Tansu Storage Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old black-lacquered drawer storage unit made in Japan. The original handles still have old ropes attached, suggesting it is very old. It is thought to date from the Ed...
Cedar
Japanese Antique NT Tansu 1920s-1940s / Natural color / cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese-made cabinet. It was made in the early Showa period (1920s-1940s). It features traditional Japanese design. The wood pattern is used in an interesting way ...
Wood
Japanese Antique BK Small Tansu with 4 Drawers circa 1900–1920
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Japanese Antique BK Small Tansu with 4 Drawers circa 1900–1920 Japan, Early 20th Century, circa 1900–1920 This refined four-drawer chest embodies the understated beauty of traditio...
Cedar
Japanese Antique Wabisabi Drawer 1860s-1900s / Cabinet Storage Tansu Mingei
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a very old Japanese drawer. It was built from the late Edo period to the Meiji period (1820-1912). It is furniture that was used in shops rather than being used in ordinary hom...
Cedar
Japanese Late Edo Merchant Counter Tansu, Original Urushi Lacquer with 6 Drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Today, it can also be used as a low console, storage chest, or coffee table-like piece in an interior setting.
Wood, Cedar
$648Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Japanese low display stand w/ drawer, Okidoko tansu, wabi sabi mingei
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Antique "Okidoko"- wooden low display stand with drawer from Tohoku area, Japan. Manufactured in Circa 1900s to 1920s (Taisho to early Showa period) , estimate from the style & c...
Wood, Hardwood
Japanese Antique Small Drawer / Storage / 1868-1912s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
A Rare Relic of the Meiji Era: Antique Japanese Small Tansu with Rope Pulls Dating back to the Meiji period (1868–1912), this exceptional Japanese small chest (Ko-tansu) is a testam...
Rope, Cedar
Shopping for a commode or a chest of drawers?
Commode is the French term for a low chest of drawers, but it is also sometimes used to denote any case piece with a particularly intricate design. The commode dates to circa 1700 France, where it was used as an alternative to a taller cabinet piece so as to not obscure paneled, mirrored or tapestried walls. Coffers, or chests, which were large wooden boxes with hinged lids and sometimes stood on ball feet, preceded chests of drawers, a fashionable cabinet furnishing that garnered acclaim for its obvious storage potential and versatility. The term commode was also used to refer to a piece of bedroom furniture — a washstand or nightstand that contained a chamber pot.
As time passed, French and British furniture makers led the way in the production of chests of drawers, and features like the integration of bronze and ornamental pulls became commonplace. Antique French commodes in the Louis XV style were sometimes crafted in mahogany or walnut, while an Italian marble top added a sophisticated decorative flourish. This specific type of case piece grew in popularity in the years that followed.
So, what makes a chest of drawers different from a common dresser? Dressers are short, and chests of drawers are overall taller pieces of furniture that typically do not have room on the top for a mirror as most dressers do. Tallboys and highboys are variations of the dresser form. Some chests of drawers have one column of four to six long drawers or three long drawers in their bottom section that are topped by a cluster of small side-by-side drawers on the top. To further complicate things, we sometimes refer to particularly short chests of drawers as nightstands.
Even though chests of drawers are commonly thought of as bedroom furniture to store clothing, these are adaptable pieces. A chest of drawers can house important documents — think of your walnut Art Deco commode as an upgrade to your filing cabinet. Nestle your chest near your home’s front door to store coats and other outerwear, while the top can be a place to drop your handbag. Add some flair to your kitchen, where this lovable case piece can hold pots, pans and even cookbooks.
When shopping for the right chest of drawers for your home, there are a few key things to consider: What will you be storing in it? How big a chest will you need?
Speaking of size, don’t dream too big. If your space is on the smaller side, a more streamlined vintage mid-century modern chest of drawers, perhaps one designed by Paul McCobb or T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, may best suit your needs.
At 1stDibs, we make it easy to add style and storage to your home. Browse our collection of antique and vintage commodes and chests of drawers today.
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