ANTIQUE JAPANESE EDO ERA (c.1780) KAKESUZURI DOCUMENT TANSU CHEST / DESK

Description

Dating to the late 1700's, this is a very special antique Japanese five drawer fune-dansu
(ship's tansu chest) made of solid
keyaki
(zelkova) wood with
sugi
(cryptomeria) wood interiors.  Fune-dansu were a special ship board merchant chest used as portable accounting chests used for storage of money as well as documents and ships logs.  It was also known as a kakesuzuri as it held writing materials and it was a perfect size to act as a desk sitting on the tatami floor and doing business.
Keyaki
(zelkova) was the wood of choice  for a chest like this one as it was one of the strongest and most beautiful of Japan's indigenous woods. This chest still has its original deep 200+ year old patina.  All iron is thick and hand forged with a protective coat of burnt lacquer.
T
he method of construction as well as all the forged iron work o
n this chest dates it to the late 1700's.
This chest was used to hold calligraphy and writing materials, as well as, money and valuables.
With exception of minor signs of past use (replaced smaller lower drawer face ( picture 11) (a few nails in two drawers (picture 10) replacement piece of wood lower back (picture 6) and a nice warm aged 200+ year old patina, t
his chest remains in
original antique
condition.
The latch on the swing open door is still functional (picture 9).  All drawers open and close with ease.
This
fune d
ansu desk/chest measures 24 1/2" wide by 12" deep by 11" high  ( 62 x 31 x 28 cm).
A very warm accent for your home or office. Great to hold stationery, pens, as well as, remote controls for the TV and stereo.  Please enjoy the enlarged pictures to get a full appreciation of the fine keyaki
wood and its 2 century old original patina.
You'll love it, I guarantee it
.........If you purchase this item and are not completely delighted with it, you may return it for a no questions asked refund within 30 days
of receipt.
Sailerking
and the Shogun's Gallery of Portland, Oregon have been in the Japanese antique business for over 38 years, and highly value our customers. Satisfaction Guarantee: All items are carefully described and photographed. If not completely delighted with any item it may be returned in original condition for refund of purchase price, less actual shipping cost. Most items listed are antiques, and as such may have an expected amount of wear from normal use. We do not sell items with major flaws without mentioning it in the listing. See photos and descriptions for condition. Returns must be shipped back within 30 days of receipt. Buyer assumes all shipping fees. If you have specific questions about the item or condition, please feel free to ask before bidding and we will make every effort to respond promptly. International buyers are responsible for any customs duties, taxes, etc. imposed by the buyer's home country.