Antique Choba Tansu (merchant's chest) from the Tohoku area of Northern Japan. Made with Kiri (Paulownia) wood front and Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood frame and interior. There are six exterior drawers, a compartment with sliding panels, and a safe box all with dramatic round lock plates. Iron hardware also includes Warabite shaped drawer pulls, quarter round corner bracing and half round lock plate and hinge on the safe box. Inside the safe box there are two small drawers, one of which has a hidden secret box compartment where the merchant hid valuables away from thieves.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 31" high x 31" wide x 15 1/4" deep