The clothing (isho dansu) chests from the town of Sendai in northeast Japan remain one of the most distinctive and readily identifiable tansu. This piece was acquired in post-war Japan by United States Army Brigadier General Archibald W. Lyon during the late 1940's. Dating: Taisho (1912-1926), this is Circa 1915-1920, this style chest with the arabesque/floral embossing and incised lock plates started production in 1880. Woods: Keyaki (Japanese elm or zelkova serrata) is used for the drawer/door faces finished with a red kijiro lacquer which highlights the wonderful grain of this wood. The carcase or cabinet box is sugi or cedar and finished with fuki urushi, a light general use (wiped lacquer) coating. Some fading on top. Measurements: 16 3/4" deep, 46" wide, 34 1/2" high Our thanks to David Jackson, co-author of the book "Japanese Cabinetry, the Art & Craft of Tansu" Gibbs Smith 2003, for his dating and description of this wonderful piece.

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