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Maitland Smith Decorative Boxes

The eclectic furnishings of Maitland-Smith celebrate artisan skills in an age of machines. Hand-carved woodwork, inlaid marquetry, painted detailing, gilding and lost wax casting lend the company’s decorative accents an artistic flair. Focused on pieces that add a dynamic flourish to an interior by incorporating tactile materials like leather, seashell inlays and crushed eggshell, the manufacturer draws inspiration across centuries, from the curvy forms of the Louis XV period to the geometric angles of mid-century modernism.

Paul Maitland-Smith established the company in Hong Kong in 1979, after getting his start in London in the 1950s as an antique dealer who also sold reproduction furniture, something that would become a Maitland-Smith specialty. The manufacturer’s early reproductions of 17th- and 18th-century furniture included Chippendale dining chairs, and soon afterward, Maitland-Smith expanded into a range of decorative designs that often exuded a whimsical spirit, whether a coffee table shaped like a stack of books or a pair of decorative obelisks. Maitland-Smith’s signature sculptural table lamps in particular show off this playful sensibility, with one balancing a pen-shell shade on a monkey’s tail and another taking on the form of a miniature hot-air balloon.

Since its founding, Maitland-Smith’s sourcing has been based in Asia, and although Paul Maitland-Smith later sold the company that still bears his name and is now headquartered in North Carolina, the brand’s furnishings are still largely made in Cebu, Philippines.

Today, Maitland-Smith continues to innovate on its finely crafted offerings by collaborating with contemporary designers and studios such as Tony Duquette Studios (founded by set and costume designer Tony Duquette in 1941), Celerie Kemble and painter and textile designer Susan Hable Smith.

Find a wide range of Maitland-Smith furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Maitland Smith
Large Maitland-Smith Covered Box
By Maitland Smith
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A faux eggshell lacquer technique, tiger striped box Please see photo with soda can to get a sense of size.
Category

1970s American Vintage Maitland Smith Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone Pagoda Box
By Maitland Smith
Located in New York, NY
Large 1980s Tessellated stone with brass handle and rattan by Maitland Smith.
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Maitland Smith Decorative Boxes

Materials

Marble, Brass

Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone and Brass Box
By Maitland Smith
Located in New York, NY
Large 1980s Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone and brass box. Measurements for just the box without the design. height 4.75'' depth 12.25'' depth 8.25''
Category

20th Century Philippine Mid-Century Modern Maitland Smith Decorative Boxes

Materials

Stone, Brass

Tessellated Horn Jewelry Box with Adventurine Green Stone Border
By Maitland Smith
Located in New York, NY
Tessellated horn box with green stone border on top. Mahogany lined interior and felt bottom. Maitland Smith, 1980s.
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Maitland Smith Decorative Boxes

Materials

Stone

Vintage Maitland Smith Coral or Pink Jewelry Box in Style of Karl Springer
By Maitland Smith
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Maitland Smith coral or pink jewelry box. Unmarked.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Maitland Smith Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Maitland Smith tessellated stone box with green malachite stone on top
By Maitland Smith
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a great Maitland Smith tessellated stone box with green malachite stone on top with brass feet The box is in excellent condition and would be a lovely addition to any home
Category

1980s North American Vintage Maitland Smith Decorative Boxes

Materials

Stone

Maitland Smith Unusual Pink Tessellated Marble Box, ca 1990s
By Maitland Smith
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Maitland Smith Unusual Pink Tessellated Marble Box, ca 1990s. This rectangular box is clad in a beautiful tessellated pink marble and accented with a brass inlay along all the face ...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Maitland Smith Decorative Boxes

Materials

Marble, Brass

Large Mainland Smith Jewelry Box
By Maitland Smith
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Maitland Smith jewelry box with mixed stones and brass details.
Category

1980s Philippine Hollywood Regency Vintage Maitland Smith Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone

Vintage Maitland Smith Decorative Tessellated Stone and Brass over Fruitwood Box
By Maitland Smith
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage handmade Maitland Smith tessellated stone box with brass over fruitwood. No makers mark. In good vintage condit...
Category

1970s Philippine Mid-Century Modern Vintage Maitland Smith Decorative Boxes

Materials

Stone, Brass

Lacquered Shell and Bone Tapered Sarcophagus Box, by Maitland- Smith
By Maitland Smith
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lacquered Shell and Bone Tapered Sarcophagus Box, by Maitland- Smith When art meets functionality, you get pieces like the Lacquered Shell and Bone Ta...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Maitland Smith Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Lacquer

Maitland Smith decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Maitland Smith decorative boxes are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Maitland Smith decorative boxes, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative boxes by Maitland Smith were created in the mid-century modern style in asia during the 20th century. Prices for Maitland Smith decorative boxes can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $240 and can go as high as $3,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $995.
Questions About Maitland Smith Decorative Boxes
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Maitland-Smith is a furniture company founded in 1979 in Hong Kong. The company originally produced reproductions of 17th- and 18th-century furniture and then branched out to create an eclectic range of original designs. Many of its pieces feature decorative tops with hand-applied inlays and carved details. You'll find a selection of Maitland-Smith furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Originally founded by a London-based antiques dealer, Maitland-Smith Furniture has grown its luxury furniture brand into one that is synonymous with fine-quality specialties. Its designs feature hand-carved woodwork, inlaid marquetry and painted detailing to add extra elegance to every piece. Shop a collection of Maitland-Smith furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    RHF Investments owns Maitland-Smith as of December 2021. The company operates from its headquarters in Hickory, North Carolina, and gained control of numerous brands in 2018, including Maitland-Smith, Hickory Chair and Pearson. You'll find a variety of Maitland-Smith furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Yes, Maitland-Smith is still in business. RHF Investments owns the brand as of December 2021. The North Carolina-based company acquired the brand in 2018 when the previous owner, the Heritage Home Group, filed for bankruptcy. Shop a range of Maitland-Smith furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Maitland-Smith makes much of its furniture in Cebu, Philippines. Skilled artisans build each piece by hand and apply the intricate carvings and inlays synonymous with the brand's style. You'll find a collection of Maitland-Smith furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    To identify Maitland-Smith furniture, look for the brand's tag. Typically, the manufacturer placed a tag on the underside or back of their pieces. Wording on the tags varies, but usually says the brand name above the words "hand made in the Philippines." Shop a collection of expertly vetted Maitland-Smith furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024
    Maitland-Smith Furniture is more than 40 years old. Paul Maitland-Smith established the company in Hong Kong in 1979 after getting his start in London in the 1950s as an antique dealer who also sold reproduction furniture, something that would become a Maitland-Smith specialty. The manufacturer's early reproductions of 17th- and 18th-century furniture included Chippendale dining chairs, and soon afterward, Maitland-Smith expanded into a range of decorative designs that often exude a whimsical spirit, whether a coffee table shaped like a stack of books or a pair of decorative obelisks. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Maitland-Smith furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Maitland-Smith started operating in 1979. Former furniture dealer Paul Maitland-Smith launched the company in Hong Kong to produce reproductions of 17th- and 18th-century furniture. Eventually, the brand expanded to create original designs. You'll find a range of Maitland-Smith furniture on 1stDibs.

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