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Japanese Merchant Tansu

Japanese merchant tansu or choba dansu were traditionally used by shop merchants to store valuable goods or documents, account books and paper goods.

To impress the customers, Japanese merchant chests were always well designed and constructed of fine, sturdy materials. Merchant tansu feature a variety of creative and exceptionally beautiful storage options including drawers of all sizes, elaborately decorated paneling and often secret compartments.

They combine the finest of Japanese woods including keyaki (zelcova), cypress, cedar, persimmon and chestnut, with highly detailed ironwork for a stunning impact in any room of the modern home.

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Japanese Merchant Choba Tansu - TC2J1219

Jtansu Price: $2,795.00

Bold Japanese choba-dansu or merchant chest tansu, Meiji period c. 1868-1912. Exceptional design, featuring multiple drawers and a roomy cabinet. Fashioned of warm, sturdy cedar and cypress woods. Abundant handforged metalwork. Merchant chests were traditionally used by shop merchants to store valuable goods or documents, account books and paper goods. To impress the customers, they were always well designed and constructed of fine, durable materials. A remarkable example of merchant tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 35” high, 24” wide, 15” deep.

Japanese Merchant Chest Tansu - TC2J129

Jtansu Price: $2,295.00

Handsome Japanese one-piece choba-dansu or merchant chest tansu, Meiji period c. 1868-1912. Traditional design, featuring a variety of drawers and cabinets adorned with simple, heavy metalwork. A nice combination of bold bracketing and warabite style handles makes this a distinctive, eye-catching piece. Merchant chests were traditionally used by shop merchants to store valuable goods or documents, account books and paper goods. To impress the customers, they were always well designed and constructed of fine, sturdy materials. This piece is fashioned of smooth, golden kiri (paulownia) wood. A great example of merchant tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 30.75” high, 31” wide, 15.25” deep.

Japanese Choba Merchant Tansu - Coin Slots

Japanese Kiri Choba Merchant Tansu w/ Coin Slots - TP1S217

Jtansu Price: $3,495.00

Rare and remarkable Japanese keyaki (zelkova) wood money box for temple use, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Striking size and sturdy construction in a box that once held donations. Wonderfully well constructed with bold metalwork throughout. A splendid, difficult to find item in original, appealingly distressed condition. Great character and patina. Very good condition. Dimensions: 25” high, 30” wide, 16” deep.

Japanese Merchant Choba Tansu - TJ1AG202

Jtansu Price: $3,295.00

Impressive Japanese two-piece choba-dansu or merchant chest tansu, Meiji period c. 1868-1912. Traditional design, featuring a variety of drawers, beautiful slatted paneled cabinets and a metal studded cupboard below. A fabulous combination of bold, circular lockplates and traditional warabite handles makes this a distinctive, eye-catching piece. Merchant chests were traditionally used by shop merchants to store valuable goods or documents, account books and paper goods. To impress the customers, they were always well designed and constructed of fine, sturdy materials. Fashioned of warm, golden cypress and cedar woods. A great example of merchant tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 57.75” high, 33.5” wide, 14.5” deep.

Japanese Choba Merchant Chest Tansu - TJ1AG202A

Jtansu Price: $1,495.00

Splendid Japanese choba-dansu or merchant chest tansu, Meiji period c. 1868-1912. Traditional design, featuring a pair of drawers and beautiful slatted paneled cabinet. Traditional warabite handles makes this a distinctive, eye-catching piece. Merchant chests were traditionally used by shop merchants to store valuable goods or documents, account books and paper goods. To impress the customers, they were always well designed and constructed of fine, sturdy materials. Fashioned of warm, golden cypress and cedar woods. A great example of merchant tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 21.5” high, 33.5” wide, 14.5” deep.

Japanese Merchant Tansu, Choba Dansu - TJ1AG202B

Jtansu Price: $1,995.00

Eye-catching Japanese choba-dansu or merchant chest tansu, Meiji period c. 1868-1912. Traditional design, featuring a variety of drawers, beautiful slatted paneled cabinet and a metal studded cupboard below. A fabulous combination of bold, circular lockplates and traditional warabite handles makes this a distinctive, eye-catching piece. Merchant chests were traditionally used by shop merchants to store valuable goods or documents, account books and paper goods. To impress the customers, they were always well designed and constructed of fine, sturdy materials. Fashioned of warm, golden cypress and cedar woods. A great example of merchant tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 35.75” high, 33.5” wide, 14.5” deep.

Japanese Merchant Tansu, Choba Dansu - TC1JL232

Jtansu Price: $2,295.00

Excellent Japanese choba-dansu or merchant chest tansu, Meiji period c. 1868-1912. Exceptional design, featuring multiple drawers and cabinets for storage. Dramatic, abundant handforged metalwork. Merchant chests were traditionally used by shop merchants to store valuable goods or documents, account books and paper goods. To impress the customers, they were always well designed and constructed of fine, durable materials. Fashioned of sturdy, finely grained cypress wood. A remarkable example of merchant tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 40” high, 37” wide, 14.5” deep.

Japanese Merchant Tansu, Choba Chest - TJ1MY176

Jtansu Price: $2,995.00

Wonderful Japanese choba-dansu or merchant chest tansu, Meiji period c. 1868-1912. Exceptional design, featuring multiple drawers and a pair of cabinets. Fashioned of dramatic keyaki and sturdy, cedar woods. Abundant handforged metalwork. Merchant chests were traditionally used by shop merchants to store valuable goods or documents, account books and paper goods. To impress the customers, they were always well designed and constructed of fine, durable materials. A remarkable example of merchant tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 40” height x 37” width x 16,25” depth

Japanese Merchant Tansu, Choba - TJ1A232

Jtansu Price: $1,995.00
Sale Price: $1,596.00 SOLD

Striking Japanese two-section choba-dansu or merchant chest tansu, Meiji period c. 1868-1912. Traditional design, featuring multiple drawers, and paneled cabinets. Merchant chests were traditionally used by shop merchants to store valuable goods or documents, account books and paper goods. To impress the customers, they were always well designed and constructed of fine, sturdy materials. Fashioned of dramatic keyaki and tamo woods. A great example of merchant tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 50" H x 35" W x 16.25" D.