Description

A rare and unusual Japanese cho bako (“cho” meaning small and “bako” meaning box). Made of Keyaki (elm) hardwood with its original lacquer finish. The upper region of the piece holds a pair of narrow sliding door panels, with a center locking pin to hold them securely shut, and vertical slats of branches. The middle region of the chest holds a large drawer, its corner hardware in motifs of raised seed pods, and its largest central lock plate a raised motif of flowers and leaves; The kakute (squared) handles on mokko-mon (melon crest) backplates. The lower region of the chest house another pair of narrow sliding door panels, with horizontal slats instead of vertical. Behind the panels on the left side is an open compartment, while the right holds 4 small drawers of various size and handle design, and a secret compartment hidden behind the drawer with locking plate.

Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 31″ L x 16.75″ D x 28.5″ H