Japanese Hibachi Brazier Box – Japan, Shōwa Period, Circa 1950
Hassle-free returns
-
Easy returns (14 days)
-
Free return if the item isn't as described
-
Buyer protection
Damage is rare, and you're fully protected if it happens.
Dimensions
Wear Condition
Good
Material
Other Wood, Copper
Style
Vintage, Oriental, Minimalist
Product Details
Description
Japanese hibachi brazier box made of wood and copper, with exposed dovetail joints at all four corners, made in Japan in the mid-Shōwa period. A utilitarian piece halfway between a merchant box (kakebako) and a kitchen household box, representative of 20th-century Japanese carpentry in its most honest reading.
In the Japanese tradition, open wooden boxes were used in kitchens, workshops and shops as versatile containers: for salt, flour, small tools, stationery or weights. The hollow handle carved by hand on one of the sides allowed it to be lifted with a single hand. Its ostensible construction — joints exposed, never hidden — reflects the Japanese principle of revealing the quality of the craft rather than concealing it.
It is built in light wood (probably paulownia or sugi) with the four corners assembled with exposed dovetails, internal corner reinforcements and a recessed base that acts as a plinth. The lateral handle, drop-shaped, is carved directly from the board and keeps its original thickness without losing solidity. The surface carries no more than an oil finish, applied to seal the wood without hiding it.
The patina is warm and very even: the wood has taken on a settled honey tone, with the grain entirely legible and the dovetail heads reading as small darker trapezoids that visually order the corners. The interior retains the trace of its former contents, giving the piece the character of a lived object. The structure is completely firm.
Thanks to its domestic scale and constructional honesty, it sits naturally in wabi-sabi, japandi, minimalist, contemporary Mediterranean or rustic-kitchen interiors, where it works as a storage basket, a planter for small plants, a utensil organiser in an open kitchen or a decorative piece on a shelf. Its exposed joints are its best ornament.
Details
Dimensions: Width: 29 cm Depth: 29 cm Height: 24 cm
Style: Japanese utilitarian box and brazier, Shōwa period
Materials and techniques: Light wood (probably paulownia or sugi); exposed dovetail joints; copper interior; handle carved directly from the board; oil finish
Place of origin: Japan
Period: Shōwa period
Date of manufacture: Circa 1930–1960
Condition / Notes: Good. Warm natural patina. Use marks consistent with age.
Condition report:
Good. Warm natural patina. Use marks consistent with age.
Wear Condition
Good
Cancellations
We offer free cancellations and full refund for orders cancelled before dispatching. View full policy.
Returns
We have a 14-day return guarantee for orders from individual sellers, within the UK and European Union. View full policy.
Additional Delivery Info from Seller
Estimated delivery time
One to two weeks
Free collection available
Yes
Made to Last
The average lifespan of a Vinterior piece is 100 years, while modern flat-pack typically takes just 3 years to reach landfill. When you choose pre-loved, you can shop with confidence in quality, craftsmanship and longevity. With our top-rated customer service team and price match guarantee, there's no better way to shop pre-loved.
Shopping at Vinterior
Similar Boxes
Similar Boxes
Add to a wishlist
Create Wishlist
Completethe room
Good design is all in the layering. Whether you're adding impact or refining the details, now’s the time to find what’s missing.
Reviews
5.0
Based on 6 reviews
Wear conditions
Excellent
Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Good
May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.
Average
Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.
Apparent Wear and Tear
Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.
Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.
Cancellations and Returns
Last updated: 12/02/2026
Clear, predictable protection for every pre-loved purchase.
Simple £75 flat return fee for UK-to-UK mainland furniture when you change your mind.
Applies to furniture with a final selling price of up to £5,000 (excluding delivery and service fees) and delivered from a UK mainland seller to mainland UK addresses. Excludes Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Scottish Highlands & Islands, Isle of Wight and Isles of Scilly.
Buying vintage should feel inspiring, not uncertain.
Every order on Vinterior is backed by straightforward returns, free cancellations, and extra peace of mind for UK furniture purchases.
1. Free cancellations
Changed your mind before dispatch?
You can cancel any order before it's shipped for a full refund, including delivery.
To cancel an order, click Create cancellation on the order page.
Once an item has been dispatched, delivery costs are not refundable.
Bespoke, personalised or made-to-order pieces cannot be cancelled.
2. Returning an item
You have 14 days from delivery to request a return.
There are two return types:
A. The item isn't as described (free return)
If your piece arrives and it doesn't match the listing in any material way (incorrect description, undisclosed damage, inaccurate measurements, misleading photos), you are fully protected:
- Free return
- The seller or Vinterior arranges pickup
- Full refund, including outbound delivery costs once the seller receives the item
This applies to all purchases.
B. You changed your mind
UK-to-UK furniture deliveries:
To make UK furniture returns predictable and stress-free, we offer a simple flat return fee of £75.
- Applies to furniture delivered from a UK mainland seller to a mainland UK address. Excludes Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Scottish Highlands & Islands, Isle of Wight and Isles of Scilly.
- Pickup arranged for you
- One clear fee, no surprises
We coordinate the return with either the seller's chosen courier or our trusted delivery partner.
All other items
Most smaller items are straightforward to return.
You can still return your item within 14 days.
- For smaller or parcel-sized items, you can choose to post the item back yourself using a tracked service, or the seller can suggest a preferred courier.
- For larger or more fragile pieces, the seller may recommend the safest return method.
- Return delivery costs vary depending on size and courier.
The seller will confirm the best option based on the item.
3. If your item arrives damaged
Damage on arrival is uncommon, especially for UK furniture deliveries.
But if something does go wrong, you're fully protected.
- Let us know as soon as possible (ideally within 72 hours of delivery) so we can resolve things quickly
- Share photos so we understand what happened
- We’ll help arrange a return and refund if needed
You’re always protected when something goes wrong in transit.
Your statutory rights apply for up to 30 days from delivery.
4. What can't be returned
Some items cannot be returned:
- Bespoke, personalised, or made-to-order pieces
- Items altered after delivery
5. How to start a return
- Log in to your Vinterior account
- Open your order
- Click Create a return
- Add notes + photos if relevant
We'll guide you through the rest.
6. What happens next
- We review your request, confirm the return and advise on next steps
- Pickup or return method is arranged
- The item is returned to the seller
- We issue your refund once the seller confirms the item's condition
Returns are completed smoothly once the pickup is arranged.
7. Refunds
Once the seller receives the piece back in the same condition it was sent, we'll issue your refund to your original payment method.
Once a refund is issued, it may take up to 5–10 working days for the funds to appear back on your original payment method, depending on your bank or card provider.
If the item is returned with new damage that wasn't present at delivery, the refund may be adjusted following review.
Need help?
If you have questions about a return or your order, our support team is here to help. Email us at [email protected] or find other ways to contact us here.
What your service fee covers
-
14-day return guarantee
-
Flat-fee return shipping on UK furniture
-
Seller vetting
-
Dedicated customer support
| Order Value (£) | Fee (£) |
|---|---|
| 0 — 49.99 | 2.75 |
| 50 — 99.99 | 5.50 |
| 100 — 199.99 | 11.00 |
| 200 — 399.99 | 21.00 |
| 400 — 599.99 | 30.00 |
| 600 — 799.99 | 40.00 |
| 800 — 999.99 | 50.00 |
| 1,000 — 1,499.99 | 55.00 |
| 1,500 — 1,999.99 | 60.00 |
| 2,000 — 4,999.99 | 82.50 |
| 5,000+ | 110.00 |
Added at checkout, based on your basket total.