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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
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 Boxes
Materials
Agate, Sterling Silver
Vintage Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Luggage Suitcase Pill Box
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Charming, vintage pill box by Tiffany & Co. Rare and out of production miniature box in the shape of a suitcase. One side bears tags that say TOKYO,...
Category
1950s Philippine Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
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 Boxes
Materials
Stone, Onyx
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
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 Boxes
Materials
Walnut
XXI Century Italian Sterling Silver Modern Table Box
Located in VALENZA, IT
XXI Century Italian Sterling Silver Modern Table Box
Modern style 925 sterling silver table box.
The box is square in shape and the edge of the body is lined.
The lid is hinged and h...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Boxes
Materials
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 Boxes
Materials
Leather, Fabric
Contemporary Bronze Incense Box or ashtray, LINES by Reda Amalou, 2020
Located in Paris, FR
The bronze incense box or 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 s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass, Bronze
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 Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
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
Set of 2 Porcelain Qing Pots, Blue and White, Handmolded & Handpainted
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/2 Qing Porcelain Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection by Legend of Asia.
Real chinese porcelain waterproof pots with lids in white and dark blue, produced by hand with traditional methods. The longtime relationship between Portugal and Macau is celebrated with this handmade porcelain collection – Porcelain made of History. A creative work from ancient China that requires precision and endurance, these unique pieces stand out on their own.
Set/2 Qing Pots...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Set of 2 Porcelain Qin Vases, Blue and White, Handmolded & Handpainted
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/2 Qin Porcelain Vases, Lusitanus Home Collection by Legend of Asia.
Real chinese porcelain waterproof vases in white and dark blue, produced by hand with traditional methods. Th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
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
Antique German Silver Playing Card Box
Located in New York, NY
German 800 silver playing card box, ca 1920. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with chamfered tab; top flat with two glazed windows face...
Category
Early 20th Century German Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver
Set of 2 Porcelain Wang Pots, Blue and White, Handmolded & Handpainted
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/2 Wang Porcelain Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection by Legend of Asia.
Real chinese porcelain waterproof pots with lids in white and dark blue, produced by hand with traditional me...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Walnut Matte Chest by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Polished walnut armoured chest, matte finish,
24 karats gold plated accessories. Round
handle with biometric opening device and
emergency key integrated. Inside pull out
necklace hol...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Walnut
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
Bacco Bar Armoire in Shiny Ebony by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Bar armoire with two doors and lid that can be fully opened. Contents: LIEBHERR wine cellar for 12 bottles, temperature ranging +5 to +20, set of 16 hand c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Ebony
Segreto Bianco White Contemporary Armored Jewelry Case Safe by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armoured jewelry safe with pull out necklace bars. Shiny white steel. Inside drawers in polished ebony, 24 karats gold plated brass accessories.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass, Steel
Il Confanetto Rosso Matte Jewel Box in Smoke Grey Oak by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry box with removable tray, lockable, lined for earrings, rings,
necklaces. Smoke grey oak and red ultrasuede internal lining.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Oak
Tempo di Rovere Watch Box for Nine Watches in Oak Smoke Grey by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Chest with two drawers for 9 watches in smoke grey oak.
Red ultrasuede internal lining and handles in red leather.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Forziere Ore Bianche White Chest with Nine Watch Winders by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Counter size armoured chest in shiny white bird’s eye maple. Bullets proof glass (6 Joule out of 8), emergency opening system, leds lights. Nine high tech winders entirely made in Sw...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Birdseye Maple
Il Passatempo Chest with Four Winders in Oak Smoke Grey by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Case in smoked grey oak with four Swiss-made winders, red leather lining, touch switch, glass display window.
Brass accessories with ruthenium finish.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood, Leather
Piccolo Intreccio Armored Armoire Braided White and Pink Leather by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry cabinet covered in white and pink hand threaded leather. Varnished outside in pink color. Accessories in 24 karats gold plated brass. Drawers covered in white leather...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal
Piccolo Intreccio Armored Armoire Braided Gold and Black Leather by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry cabinet covered in gold and black hand threaded leather. Varnished outside in
metallic gold color. Accessories in 24 karats gold plated brass. Drawers covered in blac...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal
Privato Biancho white Safe by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
"Agresti 'Privato' safe for jewelry, available in three finishing options. See information below for details of finishing variations.
Copper: Jewelry case in hammered copper finish s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Steel
Privato Nero Black Safe by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
"Agresti 'Privato' safe for jewelry, available in three finishing options. See information below for details of finishing variations.
Copper: Jewelry case in hammered copper finish s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Steel
Il Passatempo White Chest with Four Watch Winders by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Agresti Il Passatempo chest with 4 watch winders. Available in two variations, please see information below for variation details.
Ebony: Polished ebony chest with 4 watch winders en...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Birdseye Maple
Cuscino Radica Brown Leather Watch Case by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Travel leather watch case with capacity for 1 watch in the adjustable leather support. Available in three finishing options: Black leather with polished ebony sides, brown leather wi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Cuscino Rosso Red Leather Watch Case by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Travel leather watch case with capacity for 1 watch in the adjustable leather support. Available in three finishing options: Black leather with polished ebony sides, brown leather wi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Italian Gold Giltwood Jewelry or Trinket Box
Located in New York, NY
An Italian gold giltwood hand-painted rectangular box by Sezzatini, in the modern style, circa late-20th century, Italy. A great piece for small items or ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Giltwood
Cuscino Rosso Watch Case Black Leather by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Travel leather watch case with polished red briar sides. It contains 1 watch in the adjustable leather support.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Vintage Italian Embossed Leather 'Crocodile' Mens Jewelry Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Italian Embossed Leather 'Crocodile' Mens Jewelry Box
Stamped in gilt lettering 'Made in Italy'
A vintage Italian Embossed Leather 'Crocodile' Me...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Suede, Wood
Modernist Tall Box with Wood Marquetry Patchwork, 1970s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This remarkable modernist decorative box dates back to the 1970s. It boasts a tall structure that's sure to capture anyone's attention. The box is square-shaped and features an inter...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Tiffany & Co. Clear Faceted Crystal Dresser Box
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous faceted crystal dresser box
By Tiffany & Co. (signed at the base)
USA, Late 20th Century
Measures: 6.5"W x 4"D x 2.5"H.
Very good original vintage condition.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Boxes
Materials
Crystal
Etched Horn Grid Pattern Box, 11x7
Located in New York, NY
Modernist handmade keepsake box clad in hand etched/scored horn. Horn over wood.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Horn, Wood
Small Porcelain Pot, Design Vintage 1960.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Small Porcelain Pot, Design Vintage 1960.
Vintage small porcelain pot, design, circa 1960, brand Homas, Germany.
h: 9cm , d: 9cm
Category
20th Century German Modern Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Large French Table Box Made Of Colored Epoxy Resin
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our objects.
Origina...
Category
Early 2000s French Modern Boxes
Materials
Epoxy Resin
Silver Plate and Wood Box with Agate Stone Slab Decor, Italy 1980s
By Studio Italia Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
This lovely 1980s Italian modernist silver-plate lidded box has a design reminiscent of Gabriella Crespi's elegant production. The minimalist rectangular shape has Macassar wood side...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Agate, Metal, Silver Plate
Modernist Long and Flat Lucite Box, 1980s
By Studio Italia Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
This expressive modernist lidded box from the 1980s is made from Lucite and features an extra long and flat rectangular shape with an intricate clear and frosted geometric design. Th...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Madeline Book Box
Located in New York, NY
This one of a kind piece by Catie Curry, a Brooklyn based ceramicist and interior designer, is part of her Book Box collection. The above listed piece is available for immediate purc...
Category
2010s American Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Pair of Lacquered Wood Boxes, China, 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of Lacquered wood boxes, China, 20th century"
6 cups each inside, perfect condition.
Category
20th Century Chinese Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Fabienne Jouvin-Paris Cloisonne 'Ouzbek' Box, Circa 1980s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fabienne Jouvin-Paris Cloisonne 'Ouzbek' Box
Designed by artesian Fabienne Jouvin-Paris
Made in China, 1980s
This stunning Fabienne Jouvin-Paris Cloisonné 'Ouzbek' Box, crafted in t...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Modern Boxes
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Hermes , Rare Box , silvered metal with antler deer head in brass, trinket
By Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing and elegant design in this Hermes , France lined metal silvered box with a deer decoration .This is a very rare , possibly unique design.
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal
Maitland Smith Brown Penshell Cube Decorative Box
Located in Stamford, CT
1980s decorative pen shell cube box attributed to Maitland Smith. Medium brown pen shell with dark gray tessellated stone accents. Wood lined box. No ma...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Shell, Wood
Woven Bone Document, Keepsake Box
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary document, keepsake box featuring bone tiles in a cheveron pattern over a wood structure. A great solution for remote control storage, or as a desk accessory.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Bone, Wood, Bentwood
Cuir d'Ocean France Bespoke Shagreen Watch and Cufflink Box w Bone Trim and Key
Located in Cathedral City, CA
This is an exquisite shagreen with bone trim watch and cufflink box of the finest quality and construction made by famed bespoke manufacturer of luxury objects, Cuir d'Ocean of Franc...
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
JEWELLERY BOX shark leather black color modern design
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
La very special shark skin composed of a myriad of tiny grains that they look like dots and give the same feeling of the smooth skin covers the lid of the box ornamental of ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal
Heart table box Yellow enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Heart-shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent enamel fired on guilloche above and below. Contemporary modern style. Dimensions cm. 9 x 9.5 cm high. 3.Weight gr....
Category
1990s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
GLOVER - Studio Pottery Raku Box - Turquoise Interior - Signed - Circa 1980's
Located in Chatham, ON
GLOVER - Vintage wheel thrown studio pottery dome lidded smoked raku box - unglazed exterior - bright turquoise glaze to the interior - signed on the base - c...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Sleek R&Y Augousti Inlaid Brass and Shell Box, Paris C.1990
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Sleek R&Y Augousti Inlaid Brass and Shell Box, Paris C.1990
Unmarked, Attributed to the R&Y Augousti Studios
Made during the unparalleled style of 1990s Paris, this sleek, unmarked ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Medium Murano Frosted White Sommerso Square Glass Box, Contemporary
Located in Westport, CT
One of a kind Murano handcrafted medium square- shaped clear blown glass box with sommerso floating frosted white orb center , customized sizing for each box with nickel on brass fi...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Blown Glass
Luxury Ebony Wood and Bronze Dugout by William Stuart for Costantini Design
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Luxury Ebony Wood and Bronze Dugout with One Hitter by William Stuart for Costantini Design
3.75" H x 1.75 W x 0.5" D
Costantini founder William Stuart has bought, lost, gifted and abandoned dozens of dugouts throughout his adult life.
We have a limited edition of two in ebony wood available now.
Compatible with most pipes for sale at most smoke shops and designed specially for discreet and handy transport and use of marijuana. It includes a ceramic pipe simulated to look like a cigarette.
Made with love in Argentina where most people don't know what this is (yet).
About William Stuart:
William C Stuart...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Rare Christofle Laque de Chine Box - Sienna.
By Christofle
Located in Bath, GB
A rarely found piece of Christofle "Laque de Chine", part of the Talisman range by the creme de la creme of French silversmiths, Christofle of Paris.
The body is made from silver ...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
Michael Aram Tooled Silver Metal, Enamel Two Part Box With Brass Flower Top
By Michael Aram
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely small round 2 part box is an early piece of the designs of MIchael Aram's work from the early 90's. It is a tooled design silver metal on the top of the box with a black...
Category
1990s Indian Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal, Brass, Enamel
Top Quality Modernist Walnut Pill Box In English Sterling Silver - 1985
Located in Bath, GB
A truly fine piece of modern silver, hefty and beautifully made from English solid Sterling Silver in the form of a walnut.
The hinged box has a little cut-out in the front to help...
Category
1980s British Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Vintage Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Box 1142A by Soren Georg Jensen
Located in Hellerup, DK
A sterling silver Georg Jensen box, design #1142A by Soren “Søren” Georg Jensen from 1965. The lid is a separate piece and lifts off. There are different sizes of this box, this is t...
Category
20th Century Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Vintage Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Box w/ gilt lid 1142A by Soren Georg Jensen
Located in Hellerup, DK
A sterling silver Georg Jensen box, design #1142A by Soren (Søren) Georg Jensen from 1965. The lid is a separate piece and lifts off, the top surface of the lid is gilt. There are di...
Category
20th Century Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
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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