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Tansu
Tansu are freestanding antique Japanese chests
or boxes that can be put together in a stacked
collection to create elegant storage systems.
The multiple size doors and drawers of tunsu
make them ideal for housing a wide variety
of items. Although some tansu that were originally
used in shops are highly decorated, many
are simply designed. The rich wood cabinetry,
with its metal hardware featuring classic
Japanese motifs, fits in perfectly with both
traditional and contemporary décor.
If you would like to purchase
some pieces
of tansu, consider the following:
- True antique tansu is both more expensive
and harder to find than reproduction pieces.
When buying modern copies, look for tansu
made from solid wood with high quality workmanship.
- Tansu tops are often left unfinished so that
pieces can be stacked on one another. If
your group of boxes is not high enough to
disguise this, consider using other natural
materials such as slabs of stone, planks
of wood, or tiles with oriental motifs to
cover the tops.
- The small tansu pieces that served as medicine
chests, sewing boxes or calligraphy holders
make excellent places to store CDs and DVDs.
- Tansu that have no fronts are good for bookcases
or displaying object d’art. Larger pieces
can store clothing, beddings and table linens.
- Tansu can also make beautiful end and sofa
tables. They can be placed on wood or metal
stands to raise them to the correct height.
- Tansu can be stacked in hallways or at the
foot of staircases to make use of space that
is often wasted. Highly desirable pieces
known as stepped chests actually served as
stairs with storage beneath each step. Most
of these open only on one side.
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