An absolutely wonderful 19th century Japanese Mulberry Tansu.
This two part chest may well once have incorporated a third part but long since lost in the passage of time.
Glorious rich mulberry wood with a natural glowing patina the chest retains many of its original bronze escheons. It is missing two of the four large iron carrying handles to the sides which have been removed in the passage of time but if required are likely a none too challenging quest to replace.
Traditionally these beautiful chests were made to form part of a Dowry. Grandparents of girls would plant Mulberry trees which when a wedding was announced would be felled to make pieces such as these.
