If I had a zashiki or dei (main entertaining tatami room), this is one piece I would definitely want to put in it. An amazing Sendai tansu with beautiful hardware. This was definitely a showpiece for an affluent merchant to display while he was entertaining guests.

Although I believe this to actually represent the fourth stage of Sendai evolution (late Meiji or early Taisho) due to the fact that is a stacking piece, the floriate button on the lockplate is non existant, meaning that it has a double action lock (urajo), it has mokko style handles which replaced the earlier warabite style, and the lockplates are also embossed and incised with beatiful depictions of what I think are shishi (lion-dogs of protection).

Exhibiting a nice Kijiro laquer finish over a nice reddish stain on the Keyaki wood, this piece definitely presents an impressive display of craftsmanship.

Another nice thing I would like to point out is the corner hardware (which I believe is called herikanagu). Nicely incised, this also points out how with the introduction of sheet metal at the end of the Meiji era, the craftsmen were able to spend more time on the decoration instead of just on fabrication of hardware, therefore adding to the aesthetic qualities of the pieces. And hey, if I was a wealthy merchant that had to hide my wealth due to the Edo era edicts, once the Meiji restoration hit, I would have jumped on all this ornamentation as well.

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Up for auction is a beautiful Sendai-style clothing chest. This piece is unrestored, which in some ways is how I like them. A rich patina is aquired by use and age and I sometimes prefer this condition over a heavily sanded and restained piece. This could use some TLC but otherwise looks real good. All the ironwork is present, and it looks like it has the oblong wooden nails in the joinery, which is indicative of early Meiji Era tansu manufacture (but most likely this is mid to late Meiji due to style evolution). With the Mokko style handles, this piece is textbook Sendai-style. Estimated sale price between 500.00 and 700.00.

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