Description: Funa dansu of the kakesuzuri-type, with a single hinged front door. Behind the door, there are two full width drawers, one small drawer and two mid-size ones with locks. The exterior of the chest is made of keyaki (Zelkova) wood, which is unusual. Drawers made of the softer, kiri wood with iron hardware. Wrought iron handle on the top. Door, corners and edges fitted with sturdy and very decorative ironwork, ornamental lock. Bottom inscribed in black ink by carpenter. Japan, 19th century H 19 x W 16.25 x D 19.5 inches (48 x 41.4 x 49.5 cm) Traces of usage (stains, dents, scratches), some of the iron hardware reattached or replaced or missing, 4 bottom slats re-attached or perhaps replaced at an earlier date. All damages acceptable as traces of usages. All replacements acceptable as necessary maintenance, while the chest was in practical use. All in all very good condition. NO KEYS. Funa dansu are strong boxes used by sea men. They were used to carry business papers, money, writing supplies, seals and other personal things. They are small in comparison to chests that were used on land. The earlier ones are rather simple. The exterior of kakesuzuri-type ship’s chests was traditionally made of sugi (Cryptomeria) or kiri (Paulownia) wood. Kiri wood is fire resistant. Keyaki is much harder, and more expensive, and was more often used from the late Edo period on. Due to the nature of their use, all funa dansu have traces of usage.
Price: 1000 USD
Location: New York, New York
End Time: 2024-01-04T03:19:18.000Z
Shipping Cost: 200 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Primary Material: Wood
Color: Brown
Original/Reproduction: Antique Original
Region of Origin: Japan
Age: 19th century
