Modern Decorative Boxes
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Poole Midcentury Modern Classical Sterling Silver Box
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Modern sterling silver box. Made by Poole in Taunton, Mass. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with curved top. Cast corner bracket supports in form of Classica...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Ceramic Tiger Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
As a symbol deeply rooted in African culture, the tiger holds a special significance. While tigers are not native to Africa, they often symbolize strength, courage, and resilience qu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Tiger Box, hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
This ceramic tiger box from Love Art Ceramic is not just a piece of art; it's a symbol of strength, beauty, and craftsmanship. Handmade by talented artisans Sbusiso and Minenhle Nene...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Tiger Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Royal Violet: Handcrafted Tiger Box" by Love Art Ceramic. Sculpted by Motsamay, painted by Sabelo in regal purple. The unique lid, a masterpiece by two artisans, offers a one-of-a-ki...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Bird Box Hand Made In South Africa One Of The Kind
Located in North Miami, FL
Crafted by skilled South African artisans, this captivating box takes the form of a majestic bird, capturing the essence of African wildlife. Its lid, adorned with intricate details,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Tiger Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Title: "Savannah Majesty: Handcrafted Tiger Decorative Box"
Crafted with meticulous care by artisans at Love Art Ceramic, this exquisite tiger decorative box captures the essence of ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
1990s Modern Design Silver Plated French Jewelry Box by Christofle
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A stylish three-level round silver-plated box, designed by KT Studio for Christofle in 1998 with input from Thomas Keller and Adam Tihany, is a remarkable piece of modernist craftsma...
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
Karl Springer Lidded Box with Artisan Lacquered Exterior 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Exquisitely hand-lacquered lidded box with wood motif exterior and interior covered in beige suede by Karl Springer, American 1970's. This box is meticulously crafted. Springer had...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Suede, Wood, Lacquer
Karl Springer "Molding Box" in Multicolor Lacquers 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Hinged “Molding Box” with multi-colored lacquer design and dark green suede interior by Karl Springer, American 1970's. Springer’s superb lacquer work and attention to detail make t...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Chrome
Karl Springer Unique Hinged Box in Polished Sodalite Stone 1980s 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
Stunning one-of-a-kind hinged box in polished blue sodalite stone by Karl Springer, American 1980's (shown with original showroom tag from the 1980’s). Blue sodalite is a rare minera...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stone, Brass
Karl Springer Stunning "Kyoto Box" in Tessellated Penshell 1980s 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
Exceptionally crafted "Kyoto Box" in tessellated penshell with brass inlays on top and trim around base by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed “Karl Sprin...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Exceptional Lidded Box in Tessellated Travertine 1980s 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
Exceptionally crafted table top box in tessellated travertine with wood interior by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed "Karl Springer" on bottom). This box has a nice scale and t...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Travertine
Karl Springer Set of Stunning Polished Petrified Wood Orbs on Custom Bases 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Set of 3 polished petrified wood orbs on custom metal bases by Karl Springer, American 1980's (retain original labels from the 1980s showing the original pric...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stone, Brass, Metal
Karl Springer Iconic Hinged Box in Yellow Cobra, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Iconic sculptured box in yellow cobra, piano hinged with interior in suede, by Karl Springer, American 1970s. The craftsmanship on this box is simply superb.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Chrome
Ink Blue/Natural Horn Checkerboard Box
Located in New York, NY
Decorative keepsake/jewelry box clad in hand incised natural horn and ink blue dyed bone tiles hand set on a wood structure. A great addition to any desk or coffee table.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Wood
1980s Modernist Brass and Walnut Root Italian Rectangular Vanity Box
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This Italian vanity box from the 1980s combines the warmth of walnut root with the sophistication of brass accents, resulting in a piece that is both functional and aesthetically ple...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Pol Chambost Paire de boîtes en forme de pieds 1978 céramique émaillée bleue tur
By Pol Chambost
Located in PARIS, FR
Pol Chambost (1906-1983)
Paire de boîtes en forme de pieds, en céramique émaillée bleue turquoise et motifs dorés. Signées « Pol Chambost » et datées 22.12.78 et 22.12.78 respectivem...
Category
20th Century French Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Christian Dior Paris Silver Plate Box with Quartz Stone Finial, 1970s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This beautiful modernist silver plate decorative box was crafted in France for the renowned Christian Dior House for his Home Collection. The piece features an elegant minimalist rou...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stone, Quartz, Metal, Silver Plate
Scientific Calendar in Brass and Marble for the 40 Years, 1991-2030.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Scientific calendar in brass and marble for the 40 years, 1991-2030.
Scientific calendar in brass and marble, for the 40 years, calendar 1991-2030, crown of a royal family, in its o...
Category
20th Century European Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble, Brass
Rosewood Mahogany Ladys Handmade Jewelry Casket Box by Manning Ireland Irish New
Located in Dublin, Ireland
This well figured Rosewood jewellery casket was manufactured by the famed manning of Ireland company and is truly a jewel of handcrafted genius. This box is constructed of the finest...
Category
Early 2000s Irish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Hand Made Abstract Sculptural Glazed Ceramic Box. Fitted Lid
Located in Miami, FL
Hand Built Abstract Sculptural Glazed Ceramic Box. Fitted Lid
Offered for sale is a handmade abstract form ceramic box that is signed and dated by Rexx Fischer. The box is both func...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
English Modern Sterling Silver Box, 1938
By W.H. Manton Ltd. 1
Located in New York, NY
George VI sterling silver box. Made by WH Manton in Birmingham in 1938. Rectangular with curved corners. Cover hinged with gently curved top and tapering tab. Cedar-lined and partiti...
Category
1930s British Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Ceramic Box by Nanni Valentini for Ceramica Arcore, Italy, 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Ceramic box by Nanni Valentini for Ceramica Arcore.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Mappin & Webb English Modern Sterling Silver Box, 1965
Located in New York, NY
Elizabeth II sterling silver box. Made by Mappin & Webb in Birmingham in 1965. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with flat top and scalloped tab. Interior cedar-lined and...
Category
1960s British Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Set Porteño Black & Cream Hand Painted Wood Boxes
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
8 " x 6" x 4"
12" x 8" x 4"
14" x 10" x 4"
The urban and cosmopolitan Porteño family carries the spirit of the ones born in Buenos Aires city or “Porteño”, as they are commonly know...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Shagreen Humidifier Box
Located in Miami, FL
An Art Deco Humidifier Wood Box covered in a Brownish tinted color Shagreen.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Shagreen, Wood
1980s Modernist Silver Plated Italian Round Box
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A silver plated and brass round box designed and manufactured in Italy in the Eighties. It's il very good condition overall, on the lid, inside a brass frame there is an abstract met...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
Tessalated Horn Box
Located in New York, NY
Decorative keepsake document box decorated with hand applied rectangular horn pieces. A great addition to any desk, night stand, bookcase or coffee table.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Horn, Wood
Mademoiselle Georges Box III by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Mademoiselle Georges box III by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada
Measures: D 16 x H 21 cm
Material : Glossy glazed ceramic
Mademoiselle Georges hails its name from Marguerite Georges,...
Category
2010s French Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Egidio Broggi Milano, Oversized Silver Plate Swirled Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fantastic silverplate-lidded decorative box created by Italian designer Egidio Broggi, Milano. This impressive box features an oversized round shape with a swirled design like a gi...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal, Silver Plate
Danish Modern Enameled Abstract Teak Table Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Danish modern enameled abstract teak table box
We are pleased to offer
a Danish modern enameled abstract teak table box, this rectangular piece combines functionality and artistic e...
Category
20th Century Danish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Modernist Java Shagreen Box with Sculptural Bronze Handle by R&Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
This refined and sophisticated modernist box was realized by the celebrated Parisian design firm R&Y Agousti. It features a volumetric circular java shagreen body that opens via a re...
Category
20th Century French Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Two Garouste and Bonetti Bronze Boxes for the Collection of Herbert Blome 2001
Located in Milan, IT
Two Garouste and Bonetti Bronze Boxes for the Collection of Herbert Blome 2001
Both are fully signed
Category
Early 2000s French Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Cartier American Modern Sterling Silver Box
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver box, ca 1920. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with curved top and overhanging rim. Interior cedar lined. Fully m...
Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Large Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Onyx Black W/24 Karat Gold Flecks
Located in New York, NY
This stunning modernist decorative box was realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It features a vo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Murano Glass
Gabriella Crespi Small Brass Container Box, Italy 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Gabriella Crespi Small Brass Container Box.
Italy 1970s
Carries the Initials E.L.
Signed at the base Gabriella Crespi.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Modernist Hand-Blown Amber Murano Glass Box with Brass Fittings
Located in New York, NY
This warm and elegant Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Box in Amber W/ Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. A sleek and minimal piece with incredible hues a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Vintage Porcelain Capodimonte Trinket Box with Flower Detail
By Capodimonte
Located in East Quogue, NY
Exquisite vintage white Capodimonte square porcelain trinket box with floral detail lid. Simple and elegant, the box lid is adorned with sculpted white flowers with painted 24k Gold ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Samples Vienna Chair
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Samples of wood for chairs.
Included in the envelope
- 1 piece beech wood natural finishing
- 1 piece Cane, straw
- 1 piece Beech wood stained Canaletto walnut
- 1 piece Colé I...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Japanese Kazaribako Glass Box Kyohei Fujita
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Kazaribako "Ornamented Box" made of glass by Japanese artist Kyohei Fujita (1921-2004) circa 1980s. The hand-blown glass box with fitting lid is of an oval shape, slightly irregula...
Category
1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Box in Lavender with Nickel Fittings
Located in New York, NY
This sleek and highly elegant Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Box in Lavender with Nickel Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. This particular box has transparen...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Nickel
Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Octagonal Glass Box in Emerald w/ Brass Fittings
Located in New York, NY
This beautifully colored and elegant Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Octagonal Glass Box in Emerald W/Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. Features an octagonal ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Spotted Jet Black & Clear Glass Box w/ Brass Fitting
Located in New York, NY
This chic and sophisticated Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Box in Spotted Jet Black & Clear Glass W/Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. Features a rectil...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Gray Bullicante Detailed & Brass Fitted Glass Box
Located in New York, NY
This sleek and beautifully formed Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Box W/Grey Bullicante Detailing and Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. This box is rect...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Maison Lancel Paris Chrome Decorative Lidded Box
By Lancel Paris
Located in Atlanta, GA
Maison Lancel Paris designed and crafted this stylish decorative lidded box in the 1980s. The minimalist rectangular shape has a sleek design with polished chromed metal complemented...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Box in Aquamarine w/ 24 Karat Gold Flecks
Located in New York, NY
This serenely gorgeous Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Box in Aquamarine W/24 Karat Gold Flecks & Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. Features a rounded t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Mid 20th Century Brass & Ceramic Scaredy Cat Box
Located in Seguin, TX
Ceramic box glazed to look like copper verdigris. Top is brass with small highly detailed cast brass cat. Signed Paoly on bottom, wear to botton, overall patina to brass. Dimensio...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Modernist Black Mirror Box w/ Beveled & Sliced Gilt Geode Detailing
Located in New York, NY
This sleek and well adorned Modernist Black Mirror Box with Beveled & Sliced Gilt Geode Detailing originates from the United States during the latter half of the 20th Century. Featur...
Category
20th Century American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mirror
1960s Modern Italian Marble and Brass Footed Box
Located in Richmond, VA
Listed is a stunning, 1960s Italian marble and brass footed box. The piece has small, polished solid-brass balled feet at each corner with a larger, ball on the lid. Incredibly heavy...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble, Brass
1980s Modernist White and Pink Lucite and Silver Italian Rectangular Vanity Box
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This italian Vanity Box encapsulates the exuberance and style of its era, offering a compelling synthesis of form, function, and aesthetic appeal. It serves as both a practical stora...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Maitland-Smith Oversized Tessellated Marble Stone Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
A spectacular lidded box designed by Maitland-Smith in the 1980s, rendered in tessellated marble, stone, travertine, and brass. The pyramidal square-shaped design boasts sand beige, ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble, Travertine, Stone, Metal, Brass
Set/5 Ceramic Pots, White, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Hailey & Henry Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes two waterproof ceramic vases and three pots, perfect ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Bone, Horn Patchwork Box
Located in New York, NY
Decorative keepsake, jewelry box clad in geometric horn and bone tiles, some with hand engraving, lined in wood. A great addition to any desk or coffee table.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Horn, Wood
Tronador Square Blue Onyx Stone Box
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stone, Onyx
21st Century Leather Soft Rectangular Tissue Box Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Just perfect. A must have for your living, for your bedroom, for your bathroom, for your office.
A soft rectangular tissue box in calf leather that comes in a wide range of colors...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather
TRONADOR Rectangular Brown Onyx Stone Box
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stone, Onyx
Glaciar Small Silver Alpaca & White Onyx Stone Box
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Glaciar collection is meticulously handcrafted by our local artisans with these rectangular onyx pieces set around alpaca silver flower vases, boxes and trays.
Our pieces are made...
Category
2010s South American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Onyx, Stone, Metal
Set/2 Boxes, Aged Silver, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Madagáscar Boxes, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
Madagáscar box set includes two wooden boxes, perfect to be displayed together and e...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Modern decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative boxes, popular names associated with this style include AIREDELSUR, Lusitanus Home, Greenapple, and Paola Valle. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $27 and tops out at $82,000 while the average work can sell for $989.
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