Antique Japanese C.1820 Edo Era Tabakobon 3 Drawer Teaburi Smokers Tansu

Known as a tabakobon, this small chest of three drawers was brought to the guest of ones house for the purpose of lighting his pipe as well as warming his hands from the small bronze brazier that it held. This bronze brazier was half filled with ash onto which a lump of coal was set. A larger opening in the top of the bronze brazier allowed the user to enter his long slim kiseru pipe to light it on the coal that burned within.  The teabury (hand warmer/brazier) has a handle for ease of removing from the wooden case as well as transporting it to a central fire to add more coal. Next to the lidded brazier is a lidded bronze cylinder used as place to deposit used pipe contents. Both this cylinder as well the lidded brazier are fully removeable. The lids of both have floral designs.  the lid to the brazier has a chrysanthemum bud finial for lifting the lid. Both the brazier as well as the chest have bronze handles for ease of carrying. The tree drawer tansu is made of cryptomeria wood with several coats of black lacquer. On top of this lacquer there is makiee (raised gold work) in the form of pine saplings.

This tabakobon dates to the late Edo Era (c.1820).  It has been well used yet well loved and with the exception a crack on one side of the top wood (see pictures 8 & 11) and other minor signs of wear (see enlarged pictures), it remains in very good condition. All drawers move easily without binding. The bronze handles on the chest as well as the brazier move freely .

Measures 7 1/2" wide by 4 1/2" deep by 5 1/4" high (including the height of the brazier lid = 7") (19 x 11 x 18 cm).