Item# 824-15

Dimensions- L-45.5in W-17.5in H-37in

This rather rare Japanese merchant’s wheeled chest is a particularly good example of this style of tansu. As is the norm for quality merchant’s chests, it has extensive iron fittings. The iron locking bar and wheel cover fittings are fully intact. These are the two areas that appear to have been the most subject to loss and damage on this type of chest. Another indication of quality is the finely figured wood drawer fronts, which were not common on this type of furniture. In times gone by, the average Japanese homes and shops were largely constructed of paper and softwood. Because of this, and with heating and cooking being done in an open hibachi, fires were frequent and would spread very, very quickly. The wheeled chests would hold most of the more valuable possessions/inventory. So, the wheels, of course, enabled the owner to remove their treasured pieces from a burning structure quickly. Fire is also another reason for the more substantial construction members, as these would be fractionally more resistant to the flames.

$2400