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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
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
Set/2 Pots, Ceramic Pots, Green, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Chaucer Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes two waterproof ceramic pots with lid, perfect to be displayed together and enrich your room decor.
Each piece has its own elegant silhouette in mint-green glazed ceramic with gloss finish plus hand turned beech wood base and lid lacquered in bronze gold-powder.
Set of 2 Ceramic Pots Chaucer...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Gold Leaf, Brass
Set/5 Vases, Ceramic Vases, White, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Steele & Hardy Vases, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes five waterproof ceramic vases, perfect to be display...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Black Lacquered Cutout "Piano Finish" Box Paved Interior
By dlsc
Located in New York, NY
The "black lacquered cutout box"
This is hand made with sections that are attached by hand. The inner lip is molded to the shape. Then filler is used t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Crystal
Ghidini 1961 Small Knotted Cherry Box in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Small box available in brass and rose gold finishes.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Set/2 Porcelain Vases, Tang Vases, White, Handmolded & Hand Decorated
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/2 Tang Porcelain Vases, Lusitanus Home Collection by Lusitanus Home.
Real chinese porcelain vase produced by hand with traditional methods. Waterproof. The nacre finish makes ea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
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
Asprey English Modern Sterling Silver Box, 1928
Located in New York, NY
George V sterling silver box. Made by Asprey in Birmingham in 1928. Rectangular with curved corners. Cover hinged with gently curved top and scrolled tab. Box interior cedar lined. C...
Category
1920s British Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Set of 2 Porcelain Shu Pots with Lid, Green White, Handmolded & Handpainted
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/2 Shu Porcelain Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection by Legend of Asia.
Real chinese porcelain waterproof pots with lids in white and green, produced by hand with traditional methods...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
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
Set/5 Ceramic Pots, White & Grey, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Graham pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes three waterproof ceramic pots with lid, perfect to be displ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Set/2 Pineapple Ceramic Pots, White, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pineapple Decorative Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes two wa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Gold
Set/2 Wooden Boxes, Beige, Gold Leaf, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Dandara Boxes, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
Dandara box set includes two wooden boxes, perfect to be displayed together and enrich ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf, Metal
Set/2 Porcelain Vase & Pot, White, Handmolded & Hand Decorated
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/Tang Porcelain vase and Sunce pot with lid, Lusitanus Home Collection by Lusitanus Home.
Real chinese porcelain waterproof vase and port with li...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Set/8 Ceramic Jars & Pots, White & Pink, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/8 Ceramic Jars & Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes five ceramic jars and three ceramic pots, both ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Set/5 Jars & Pots, White & Mint Green, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/5 Ceramic Jars & Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes three waterproof ceramic jars and two ceramic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Gold Leaf
Tronador Rectangular Cream 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
Onyx, Stone
Kleenera Travertine Marble Tissue Holder
Located in Mexico City, MX
Indulge in the epitome of opulence with the Kleenera Tissue Holder, a creation meticulously hand carved from pure, pristine marble. Crafted with artisanal expertise, this objet trans...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble
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
Contemporary Bronze Ashtray, LINES by Reda Amalou, 2015
Located in Paris, FR
The solid bronze ashtray is designed with a patterned removable top. The motif used here, a repetition of lines and voids, has been developed by Reda Amalou and is used in several pieces of the Reda Amalou Collection.
The Bronze ashtray is 135 x 135 x 65mm H
This design exists also in a tiny incense...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Bronze
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
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
Burl Walnut Mahogany Handmade Jewelry Casket Box by Manning of Ireland Irish New
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning Burl Walnut Casket was manufactured by the famed Manning Co. of Ireland and is truly a jewel of handcrafted genius. This box is constructed of the finest woods available a...
Category
Early 2000s Irish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
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
Burl Walnut Mahogany Handmade Jewelry Casket Box by Manning of Ireland Irish New
Located in Dublin, Ireland
This walnut 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 woods availabl...
Category
Early 2000s Irish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
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
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
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
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
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
Gorham English Edwardian Modern Sterling Silver Box, 1912
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Modern sterling silver box. Made by Gorham Manufacturing Co. in Birmingham in 1912. Rectangular with straight sides and curved corners. Cover hinged with curved top and scr...
Category
1910s English Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
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
Bitossi Italian Piume Feather Bird Box
By Bitossi
Located in Indianapolis, IN
A box in the Piume pattern produced by Bitossi. Made in Italy, this box is in the shape of a bird with a rainbow feather design throughout. The lower part of the box is teardrop-shap...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
21st Century Luxury 200 Piece Walnut Poker Set
Located in Oakhurst, NJ
Introducing the epitome of luxury in game nights – our Walnut Poker Set Box. Crafted from 100% walnut hardwood, this exquisite box boasts Brusso brass hardwa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Walnut
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
French Vintage Silver Plate Bamboo Design Hinged Small Box Desk Accessory
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely vintage silver-plate hinged box has raised and textural designs of bamboo forms in rows. The interior is wood and stained black. It is a heavy gage and makes a fabulous d...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
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
Large English Modern Sterling Silver Box, 1914
Located in New York, NY
George V sterling silver box. Made by Sampson Mordan in London in 1914. Rectangular with straight sides and curved corners. Cover hinged with tapering tab and gently curved top. Ceda...
Category
1910s British Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Blue and Gold Enamel Box
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary blue and gold enamel box with lid.
Condition: Excellent, minor wear consistent with age and use.
Width: 7.5”
Depth: 6”
Height: 5.25”
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Copper, Enamel
English Modern Sterling Silver Box with Scottish Agate Thistle
Located in New York, NY
English Modern sterling silver box, 1919. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover curved and hinged with short tab; on top inlaid agate in form of stylized thistle in rondel. Silver l...
Category
1910s British Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Agate, Sterling Silver
Vintage Fendi Striped Trinket Box
By Fendi Casa, Fendi
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique and interesting trinket box by Fendi. This vintage piece from the early 1990s is made in leather and covered in the classic Fendi stripe fabric de...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather, Fabric
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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