Antique Japanese camphor wood chest – Meiji period (c. 1890-1912) #76

Antique Japanese Chest – Meiji / Taishō Period (c.1890-1926) Dimensions: Length: 89 cm Depth: 50 cm Height: 43 cm. Style: Meiji. Materials and Techniques: Camphor wood (Cinnamomum camphora) Place of Origin: Japan. Period: Late Meiji period, early Taishō period. Date of Manufacture: Circa 1890-1912. Condition: Good. Wear is consistent with age and use. Original Japanese chest in Meiji style, designed as a storage and transport piece during a key transformative period in Japan. In the Meiji era, the country gradually opened up to the outside world and adopted new practical uses, giving rise to robust, functional pieces designed to protect their contents durably. The chest is made from camphor wood (Cinnamomum camphora), a species particularly valued for its natural fragrance and insect-repelling properties, making it ideal for storing textiles, kimonos, and personal items. The interior retains the light hue and vivid grain characteristic of camphor, while the exterior features a deep, warm patina acquired over time. The structure is reinforced with original hardware placed at the corners, edges, and locking systems, designed to protect the piece during transport and ensure its durability. The hinged lid opening system, complemented by internal support arms, reflects a practical and refined design typical of Japanese carpentry from the Meiji period. The Meiji period (1868–1912) marks Japan's modernisation and its opening to the Western world. In architecture as well as furniture, traditional woodworking techniques are preserved, while new typologies related to transport, commerce, and mobility emerge. UNIQUE PIECE.