Kaidan Dansu (Step Tansu) From Japan Meiji Period - 19th Century Finish - Blue Lacquer Woodblock print by artist Nishikawa

Woodblock print by artist Nishikawa Sukenobu (1671-1750) entitled 'Visit to the Garden'

Four solid shelves provide generous and dependable storage

Origin: Mongolia and Northern Shanxi

and garden scenes in gilt lacquer

Kaidan Dansu (Step Tansu) From Japan Meiji Period - 19th Century Finish - Blue Lacquer Woodblock print by artist NishikawaThis Japanese Kaidan Tansu (step chest) dates from the Meiji period and is one of the most recognisable forms of traditional Japanese furniture. Originally designed to provide access to the upper floors of machiya townhouses, shops and teahouses, these ingenious pieces combined the function of a staircase with practical storage. Their distinctive silhouette became so iconic that they frequently appeared in ukiyo e woodblock prints by artists including