Description

A rare antique Japanese large Kannon Biraki Tansu made entirely of thick Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wood nails, this specially commissioned tansu was custom designed and made for a bride’s dowry. Its purpose was for storing the bride’s wedding kimono and accoutrements after the ceremony . Unlike the traditional wedding kimono chest where the bottom half is usually just drawers and sometimes a hinged door, this one features a pair of sliding doors which hides 4 drawers of different sizes and a secret box hidden behind one of the drawers. Especially unusual is the thickness of the wood that was used which in itself is not often seen except in much older tansu.

Age: Edo Era (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 42 3/4″ Wide by 41 1/2″ High by 18 3/4″ Deep