Tansu jewelry box. Japan, Meiji era, ca.1880.

Tansu jewelry box. Japan, Meiji era, ca.1880.
Wood with yosegi-zaiku marquetry.
Brass hardware and handles.
On upholstered stand.
Measurements: 27 x 35 x 23.5 cm (jewelry box); 2 x 39 x 25 cm (stand).

Japanese marquetry box with wooden inlays that create geometric patterns (yosegi-zaiku). The jewelry box, with a desk function, has a lid that can be opened to reveal two separate modules: one with four drawers and the other with two drawers protected by a door and a drawer underneath.

Sometimes called a "scholar's box", it was used especially for storing brushes and other items used for calligraphy. They were also used to store jewelry or small objects.

Yosegi-zaiku is a type of traditional Japanese marquetry that originated in the late Edo period. It was commonly used on the outer sides of Japanese secret boxes (himitsu-bako), but also decorates many other crafts, such as trays, chests or jewelry boxes.