Japanese Miniature Chest

Description

This object is a Japanese Kodansu (small/miniature tansu chest), primarily used as a desktop cabinet for storing jewelry, personal seals (inkan), writing utensils, or small valuables. Based on the construction details, decorative style, and hardware, it dates to the late Meiji period (circa 1900) or early Taishō period (1910s–1920s).

Key Characteristics & Construction Details

 Form & Configuration: It features a traditional hako-dansu style layout scaled down to a tabletop size. The scrolled fude-gaeshi (brush-stops) on the top surface mimic classical altar-style formatting. It opens with double hinged doors enclosing four stacked central drawers, flanked by an upper split drawer and a full-width bottom drawer.

 Decoration & Lacquerwork: The piece features a black lacquer ground decorated in flat maki-e (gilt lacquer). The exterior panels, drawer fronts, and the inner faces of the double doors are hand-painted with delicate botanical motifs, including wild orchids, grasses, and a basket of chrysanthemums/peonies on the lowest drawer.

 Hardware: Outfitted with chased, darkened copper or bronze corner braces, decorative L-brackets, and classic mokko-gata (melon-shaped) or hirate drawer pulls.