Antique Wooden Japanese Zenibako Box, 1860s

Dimensions: height 41 cm, width 62 cm, depth 40.5 cm.

The chest is constructed from wide planks of solid wood with a warm reddish-brown tone and a beautifully wavy grain. On top is a sliding lid with cut-out openings so money could be dropped in quickly. The front features an elegantly shaped panel with a large iron lock plate and chain – bold details that clearly show this once held valuable contents.

The surface shows countless scratches, traces of use and old repairs; the edges are softly worn and the wood has developed a deep, lived-in colour. This visible history gives the chest a distinctly authentic character – raw and honest, without trying to be decorative.

Today this zenibako works beautifully as a low side table next to a sofa or armchair, as a plant stand with a large potted plant on top, or as a striking piece in an entryway where you can keep keys, mail and small items.

Even left empty against a wall or under a window, it acts as a powerful sculptural accent with a clear Japanese story.

A rare, large 19th-century utilitarian object that now fits effortlessly into a contemporary interior.