船箪笥 funatansu (sea chest) with key

船箪笥 funatansu (sea chest) with key , 1850s, Edo period (1600–1868)

Where object was made: Japan

Material/technique: Zelkova serrata wood; lacquer; iron; fuki-urushi

Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 50.5 x 60 x 47 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 19 7/8 x 23 5/8 x 18 1/2 in

Credit line: Gift of Sam and Connie Perkins Collection

Accession number: 2021.0277.a-h

Not on display

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Mountains and Water: Paintings from the Kano School

Decorated with lacquer and iron handles, mobile sea chests like this one were used for storage aboard Japanese trading ships. As shipping business became more lucrative during the 18th century, sea chests were lavishly adorned. This is a chōbadansu (ledger or account box) type chest, which holds various drawers and even secret compartments for important documents. Other examples of sea chests contain mazes of false doors to prevent theft.