Large Japanese Chest Of Drawers, Isho Kasane-dansu, With Karashishi Ironwork, Sendai, Japan, 19th Century

Large two-part isho kasane-dansu with karashishi fittings, Sendai region, Japan, 19th century. This antique Japanese tansu (isho kasane-dansu) from the Sendai region of Tōhoku is remarkable for the quality of its wood and fittings. The front is made of zelkova (keyaki) with a very vivid grain, covered with a translucent reddish-brown lacquer that reveals the wood's natural ripples. This contrast between the deep red of the keyaki and the black of the patinated iron makes this Japanese garment chest a striking piece of furniture from the late Edo and 19th centuries. Each large drawer is centered with a wide rectangular plate of chased and repoussé iron depicting a karashishi in full stride. The Chinese lion is rendered in high relief, with a speckled coat, a flamboyant mane, and a swirling tail, within a meticulously hammered frame. The side door features a large circular plaque decorated with karashishi motifs within a medallion surrounded by flowers, likely peonies (botan), which enlivens the entire central area of the piece. The corner plaques and small keyhole escutcheons echo this decorative vocabulary, unifying the facade and reinforcing the armorial effect characteristic of the finest antique Japanese tansu. The handles are of the warabite type, shaped like young ferns, mounted on elongated plates. A rare feature is that the handle itself is decorated, with surface work unusual even on a piece of high quality furniture. The interiors of the drawers and compartment are left with bare wood, in a functional spirit, contrasting with the richness of the lacquered and wrought-iron facade. The combination of the deep red keyaki wood, the translucent lacquer, the wrought-iron motifs, and the quality of the decorated warabite handles allows this tansu to be traced back to the Sendai region. Since most Sendai tansu are constructed as a single unit, the two-part, superimposed structure (kasane-dansu) remains rare for this center and lends this piece an exceptional character within the regional tradition of 19th-century Japanese furniture. This large Japanese storage cabinet with karashishi fittings belongs to the tradition of ceremonial furniture found in the homes of merchants and notables, where the tansu served both as a clothes chest and a status symbol. Its dimensions, the vibrancy of its relief decoration, and the quality of its keyaki (wooden handles) make it a centerpiece for Japanese interior design or for a project blending Asian antiques with contemporary lines, while remaining perfectly usable for storing linens and textiles. Height: 97 cm – Width: 117.5 cm – Depth: 44.5 cm