Japanese cedar funadansu marine chest, Edo period, first half of the 19th century

Antique Japanese marine chest of the funadansu (船箪笥) type, made of solid cedar wood with a beautiful reddish-brown patina. The chest is rectangular in shape, reinforced on all edges with riveted wrought iron fittings, typical of Japanese ship chests designed to withstand sea voyages. The front features a large rectangular lock plate, also made of wrought iron, with a simple and functional design that emphasizes the utilitarian nature of this piece of shipboard furniture.

This Japanese cedar ship's chest, dating from the Edo period (first half of the 19th century), exemplifies the cabin furniture used to protect personal belongings, documents, or small goods aboard merchant ships. The simplicity of the panels, the signs of wear on the top, and the presence of the original hardware make it a piece of furniture with character, easily integrated into a contemporary interior or a wabi-sabi-inspired design project, while remaining an authentic example of Edo-period funadansu (cabin furniture).

Dimensions: H. 34.2 cm x L. 61 cm x D. 31 cm.