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Early 19th Century Japanese Sendai Tansu

A handsome early 19th-century Japanese clothing chest (isho dansu) from the Sendai region, constructed of cedar with richly figured keyaki wood drawer fronts and a deep reddish-brown patina. The façade is arranged with multiple drawers of varying sizes and a locking door concealing additional storage, all fitted with substantial hand-forged iron hardware. Particularly striking are the elaborate iron mounts, including large repoussé floral and foliate ornaments, decorative corner fittings, lock plates, and numerous iron ring pulls. The bold metalwork contrasts beautifully with the warm grain of the keyaki and is characteristic of the robust, highly decorative cabinetry associated with Sendai.

Provenance: The estate of John Adair Jr. (1942–2025), founder and proprietor of Kurofune Antiques in Tokyo (est. 1978), a world-renowned destination for Japanese basketry, prints, and furniture, featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Wall Street Journal.