Antique small Japanese chest with drawers and compartments, of rectangular form and hinged top, central drawer and two lower compartments with ring pulls. It originates from Japan, from the Meiji period (1868–1912), where multi-section kodansu ordered the stationery and small effects of the domestic writing desk.
The kodansu with hinged top and differentiated compartments grows out of the logic of Japanese order: a single compact piece able to keep writing implements, seals, threads or coin, with each element on its own level. The top opened to give access to the largest space; the middle drawer protected flat documents; the two small lower doors closed off private compartments.
It is built in solid wood, with fronts and sides nailed and reinforced at the four corners with forged iron brackets in lobed silhouette. The pulls are iron rings fixed to a diamond escutcheon; the central discs of the upper body, stamped with a geometric motif, double as keyplates. The finish is dark-red natural lacquer, today darkened to a deep, warm tone.
The patina is dense and honest, with the lacquer softened at the edges, stable rust on the hardware and small perimeter losses at the base. Every scratch preserves the material trace of its desktop use.
It sits naturally in wabi-sabi, japandi or contemporary minimal interiors. It works as a tabletop box for jewellery and small objects, as a low side table beside a futon, or as a display piece on a sideboard, where the lobed brackets add the only graphic accent.
Details
- Dimensions: Length 36 cm – Width 25 cm – Height 29 cm
- Style: Traditional Japanese, Meiji period
- Materials and techniques: Solid wood; hand-forged iron hardware and brackets; natural lacquer; nailed assembly.
- Place of origin: Japan
- Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
- Date of manufacture: Circa 1900
- Condition: Good. Wear consistent with age and use.
This piece is part of the curated collection of Amaru Antiques, Barcelona.
ONE OF A KIND PIECE
