時代箪笥／総桐佐渡衣裳箪笥 [j1191]【 Sado clothing chest -Japanese antique furniture】

桐の白木に重厚な金具が目を引く総桐の佐渡箪笥。錠前は鋲だけでなく鎹でも留められ、釘隠しに花菱の装飾も施されています。抽斗の隅金具は勿論、下段右下の開き戸の錺（かざり）金具の見事さや、中の抽斗を受けている棚板に丸面が施されていたりと、船箪笥（船金庫）を思わせる精巧な作りです。

高さ、横幅共115cm程の堂々たる大きさ。扉の中の小抽斗の奥には隠しのスペースもございます。

多くの箪笥は側面の把手が上下を固定するのですが、こちらは下段天板の両側の凸部がずれ止めになっていおり、見た目もスマートです。

木部も厚みのある桐材が使われており引出底板の接ぎ目に木釘が通されるなど、乾燥して木材が収縮した際の工夫もみられます。

施主の注文に対し、それ以上の物を目指したであろう当時の職人の高い技術と思いが随所から感じられる箪笥です。

This Sado chest of drawers is made entirely of paulownia wood, with heavy metal fittings that catch the eye. The locks are secured not only with nails but also with rod-shaped fasteners, and the nail covers are decorated with flower diamond patterns. The corner hardware on the drawers, the exquisite decorative hardware on the lower right door, and the rounded edges on the shelves supporting the drawers all evoke the intricate craftsmanship of a ship chest (ship safe).

It has a stately size of approximately 115 cm in height and width. There is also a hidden space at the back of the small drawers inside the door.

While many chests have handles on the sides to secure the top and bottom, this one has protrusions on both sides of the lower shelf to prevent slipping, giving it a smart appearance.

The wooden parts are made of thick paulownia wood, and wooden nails are inserted into the joints of the drawer bottoms, demonstrating thoughtful design to accommodate wood shrinkage due to drying.  

This chest of drawers reflects the high craftsmanship and dedication of the artisans of the time, who likely aimed to create something even more exceptional than the client's request.