Antique Countertop Display Box
Antique 1860s British Victorian Decorative Boxes
Yew
Early 20th Century British Cabinets
Wood
People Also Browsed
Antique 15th Century and Earlier French Gothic Cupboards
Iron
Antique 18th Century French Stone Sinks
Stone
Early 20th Century American Other Bathroom Fixtures
Marble
Antique 19th Century French Cupboards
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Jars
Porcelain
Antique Late 19th Century Eastlake Dressers
Mirror, Walnut
Vintage 1930s Italian Jars
Crystal
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century Italian Jars
Faience
Mid-20th Century Italian Jars
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century Spanish Other Jars
Ceramic
Vintage 1930s Italian Scientific Instruments
Glass
Antique Late 19th Century Burmese Sculptures and Carvings
Bronze
Antique Late 18th Century Mexican Spanish Colonial Cabinets
Cedar
Antique 19th Century Dressers
Pine
Antique Late 19th Century Polish High Victorian Figurative Sculptures
Pottery
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century Edwardian Decorative Boxes
Glass, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century British Jewelry Boxes
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Decorative Boxes
Oak
Finding the Right boxes for You
From mere trinkets to useful receptacles that serve a distinct purpose, antique boxes as decorative objects have come in many forms over the years. No matter what they’re made of or where they end up in your home, decorative boxes add both style and storage to your space.
The decorative box that is likely most common is the jewelry box. These boxes were originally known as jewel caskets and were in common use in Ancient Egypt, as most Egyptians wore some sort of jewelry. A portable jewelry box, in its original intended use, was integral to keeping your jewelry safe and secure. This accessory has transformed in size, shape and appearance over the years. Initially it was common for a jewelry box to bear intricate ornamentation. Whether they’re mid-century modern works of marble and brass or feature playful Art Deco–style geometric decor, jewelry boxes boast real staying power.
Snuff boxes began to soar in popularity during the 17th century (and were commonplace in European homes by the mid-19th century). The boxes, some hand-painted with landscape scenes, some made from gold, porcelain or stone, contained a small amount of tobacco, which users would sniff, or “snuff,” throughout the day. Some particularly ornamental snuff boxes featured enameled designs or were set with precious gems and were given as gifts or party favors, particularly at the coronation of royalty or other lavish events.
Whether you’re organizing important mail in the foyer or tucking away medications in your bathroom, antique boxes — be they metal tea caddies, sterling-silver decorative boxes or Victorian cigar boxes made of oak (even if you don’t smoke) — are a sophisticated solution to help keep the surfaces in your home clutter-free. And no matter if you’re seeking a decorative box to beautify a desktop or bestow upon a loved one, you are sure to find something you love in the collection of antique and vintage boxes on 1stDibs.
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