A JAPANESE KURUMA’DANSU 車箪笥 (WHEELED STORAGE CHEST,... Lot 108

A JAPANESE KURUMA’DANSU 車箪笥 (WHEELED STORAGE CHEST, SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY Sturdy and striking kuruma'dansu 車箪笥 (wheeled storage chest). Fully restored, cleaned and waxed. Made with precious 'Keyaki' wood (Zelkova - Japanese oak) on the front with a very appealing warm brown lacquered finish. The sides and back are reinforced with hinoki (Japanese cypress) slats over indigenous sugi (cedar) wood varnished in a dark brown hue. The upper portion of the chest has two full-width drawers held shut with a locking bar 棒 (bo). The lower portion has two medium sized drawers also held shut with another locking bar. Next to a hanged door heavily clad with iron, opening two three interior drawers. The hardware is made of hand-forged iron and includes 'warabite'-shaped drawer handles and extensive corner bracing. The notable feature of a kuruma'dansu is that it is placed on wheels. That in case of a fire that it could be more easily removed from a store house. Period: Japan - Early Meiji period (Second half 19th century). Dimensions: Height 118.1 cm, Width 133.1 cm, Depth 66.8 cm. In a very good completely restored condition. No keys included.