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Japanese Urushi craftsman's workbench w/ drawers, box chest of drawers wabi sabi

$1,160
£876.10
€1,025.71
CA$1,648.03
A$1,676.66
CHF 960.89
MX$20,187.99
NOK 11,231.05
SEK 11,280.34
DKK 7,668.12

About the Item

At the first glance, this looks like an art piece done by a modern abstract artist - with the layers of random, thicker paint on it. But the truth is, this small box chest of drawers is called "Jouban", one of an essential tools of Japanese Urushi lacquer craftsmen. Manufactured circa 1910s to 1930s estimate from the style & conditions. Urushi lacquer craftsmen use the top panel as a work table, also mix the lacquers on it like a painter's palette, so they have to wipe the excessed lacquer everyday in the end of their work time since Urushi lacquer is easy to dry up. As a result, the top area has shine with nuanced depth coming from the countless thin layers of Urushi lacquer by the age. Especially, the top of this piece looks like the image of nebula on it - deep red Urushi lacquer from the deeper layers coming up and shines in the dark, sleek, silent space made of black Urushi lacquer. While the sides are covered with thicker layers of randomly dripped lacquers. This is truly one of a kind, wabi sabi art piece indeed, And additionally, the drawers open & close smoothly, durable enough as chest of drawers, for further use. Dimensions - Drawer interior : 1, 2. w 3.54 in / d 12.76 in / h 1.57 in (w 9 cm / d 32.4 cm / h 4 cm) 3. w 8.27 in / d 12.99 in / h 1.57 in (w 21 cm / d 33 cm / h 4 cm) 4. w 8.27 in / d 12.99 in / h 2.24 in (w 21 cm / d 33 cm / h 5.7 cm) Actual item weight : 9.04 lb (4.1 kg) Dear customer - feel free to inquire me for the shipping fee quote. The shipping fee showed in the page is automatically calculated by the system, I'm able to offer reasonable quote via Fedex. *** We're eco-friendly, organic-oriented vintage wood furniture & fitting seller. Avoiding the harsh chemicals as much as possible, using organic & traditional materials in the whole process, especially cleaning, repaint / refinish. - using non-toxic, eco-friendly method when cleaning & repairing the item - using organic & traditional materials (beeswax, linseed oil, urushi lacquer, persimmon tannin, burnt pine ink, etc) for repainted/re-finished items - repairing the necessary parts for long-lasting use
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9.18 in (23.3 cm)Width: 10.24 in (26 cm)Depth: 14.3 in (36.3 cm)
  • Style:
    Folk Art (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Wood,Joinery,Lacquered,Woodwork
  • Place of Origin:
    Japan
  • Period:
    Early 20th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1910s-1930s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    常陸大宮市, JP
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU9981246848132

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