Modern 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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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/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 Boxes
Materials
Brass
Hand-made Ceramic Jackal Novelty Box, made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Jackal Novelty Box by Senzo Duma Ceramic Arts. Hand sculpted by Lefu Thebe and hand painted by Sindi in South Africa. Measuring 3 inches high 3 inches in length and 3 inches in width.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
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 Boxes
Materials
Wood
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 Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
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 Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
21st Century Leather Ashtray Handcrafted in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Welcome inside Pinetti smoking accessories collection with Vento ashtray. A stainless steel round revolving ashtray with the properly right spaces ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal
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 Boxes
Materials
Gold Leaf, Brass
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 Boxes
Materials
Crystal
Brass Vessels (set of 3)
Located in Paonia, CO
The (wh)ORE HAüS STUDIOS small goods collection was made for those that wanted to experience the (wh)ORE HAüS brand without committing to our larger pieces. Our Brass Vessels are mad...
Category
2010s American Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Agresti Il Bauletto Jewelry Box in Briar and Mahogany
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry box in briar and mahogany, matte finish, ultra suede lining. 24-karat gold plated brass accessories. With removable tray and necklace bar.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Suede, Mahogany
Watch Box in Brown for Five Watches Il Collezionista by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Box for 5 watches, lined in protective ultra-suede. Hinge in ruthenium. Available in mahogany or polished ebony.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Ultrasuede, Wood
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 Boxes
Materials
Brass
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 Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
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 Boxes
Materials
Wood
Set/2 Pineapple Ceramic Pots, Black, 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 waterproof ceramic pots with lid, perfect t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold
Modern Serving Tray Calacatta Marble Oak Handmade Portugal Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Guadiana serving tray, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
Guadiana is a sublime serving tray, designed to uplift layback moments. Handcra...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble
Set/2 Boxes, White and Light-Blue, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Lanzarote Boxes, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
Lanzarote box set includes two wooden boxes, perfect to be displayed together and enr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold Leaf
Set/2 Pots, Ceramic Pots, White, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Burgess Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes two waterproof ceramic pots with lid, perfect to be displa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass, Metal
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 Boxes
Materials
Marble
Brass Vessel Set w/ Brass box
Located in Paonia, CO
The (wh)ORE HAüS STUDIOS small goods collection was made for those that wanted to experience the (wh)ORE HAüS brand without committing to our larger pieces. Our Brass Vessel Set with...
Category
2010s American Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Agresti Il Mio Tempo Chest for 28 Watches
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Lockable chest for 28 watches on holders and laying down. Available in briar or polished ebony.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Agresti Cassette Del Tempo Chest for 9 Watches
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Chest for 9 watches. Available in elm briar or polished ebony.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Agresti Oro Jewelry Chest
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Lockable jewelry chest with 5 drawers, two pullout / pull-out necklace bars, and lined in ultra-suede. Accessories in 24 karats gold plated brass...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
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 Boxes
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Watch Box for Nine Watches in Briar with Leather Detail by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Elm briar and striped mahogany for your collectable watches. Leather handles. Briar box for nine watches.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Vavona Burl Wood Handmade Irish Lady's Jewelry Casket Box by Manning Ireland New
Located in Dublin, Ireland
This Vavona Wooden Jewelry 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 ava...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Irish Modern Boxes
Materials
Walnut, Burl
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 Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Wonderful French Lalique Coppelia Crystal Rose Garland Brass Dresser Jewelry Box
By Lalique
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Lalique Coppelia Frosted Crystal With Roses & Garland And A Brass Housing Dresser / Jewelry Box
Category
20th Century French Modern Boxes
Materials
Crystal, Brass
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 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 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 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 Boxes
Materials
Metal, Silver Plate
Hand-made Ceramic Butterfly Box, made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
This Butterfly Box was hand sculpted by the renowned artisan Sbusiso Ndaba and beautifully painted by Sabelo Nene both from South Africa. This exquisite ceramic creation stands 6 inches high, measuring 9 inches in length and 8 inches in width.
A testament to African inspiration by Love Art...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
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 Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
1980s Plexiglass and Vienna Straw Rectangular Box in the manner of Dior Home
By Dior Home
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A lovely rectangular box manufactured in Italy in the manner of Dior home, it's in good conditions overall. The 1980s Italian Box is a striking and distinctive piece that embodies th...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Decorative Carved Valuables Box
Located in Incline Village, NV
Resting on four paw feet and opening via two rear butterfly hinges, this attractive carved box is featured on top with an oval highly carved applique cartouche, monogrammed with the ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
1980s Tavola Oggetti Rectangular Marble Jewelry Box
By Oggetti
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a vintage, sleek, pair of polished stone bookends, circa the 1970s. This set is constructed of solid, heavy-weight marble and skillfully hand-cut and ha...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble
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 Boxes
Materials
Bronze
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 Boxes
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
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 Boxes
Materials
Murano Glass
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 Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
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 Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
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 Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
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 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 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 Boxes
Materials
Nickel
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 Boxes
Materials
Brass
Modern Italian Carpathian Burl Wood Humidor with Tasseled Key
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Modern Italian Carpathian Burl Wood Humidor with Tasseled Key
Italy, late 20th century
A stunning modern Italian Carpathian burl wood humidor is a testament to late 20th-century cr...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal, Brass
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 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 Boxes
Materials
Bone, Wood
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 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 Boxes
Materials
Marble, 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 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 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 Boxes
Materials
Brass
1980s Modern Clear Plexiglass and Silver Plate Italian Design Square Box
By Gucci
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This Square Box designed and manufactured in Italy embodies the sleek, minimalist aesthetic characteristic of the era's design trends. Constructed from silver plated and clear plexiglass, a durable and transparent thermoplastic material known for its versatility and contemporary appeal, the box exudes a sense of modernity and sophistication. The transparency of the plexiglass allows for a clear view of the contents inside, adding a layer of functionality to its stylish design. The addition of silver plating along the edges or accents of the box enhances its visual appeal, offering a touch of luxury and refinement. The combination of clear plexiglass and silver plate creates a striking contrast, adding depth and interest to the overall design.
The square shape of the box reflects the geometric simplicity favored during the 1980s, emphasizing clean lines and symmetry. Its compact size makes it ideal for storing small items or serving as a decorative accent piece on a desk, shelf, or tabletop.
Designed and crafted in Italy, a country renowned for its rich tradition of craftsmanship and design innovation, this square box exemplifies the excellence and attention to detail synonymous with Italian design. It has normal signs of use and age visible on the photos. The box is on the style of Gucci Vintage home...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
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 Boxes
Materials
Mirror
Modern boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern 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 boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, case pieces and storage cabinets, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern 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 boxes, popular names associated with this style include Agresti, AIREDELSUR, Lusitanus Home, and Greenapple. 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 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 $299,000 while the average work can sell for $1,145.
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