French Boulle Boxes Opposing Pair Napoleon III
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Opposing Pair of Boulle Boxes From our Boxes collection, we are delighted
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Brass
French Boulle Boxes Opposing Pair Napoleon III
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Opposing Pair of Boulle Boxes From our Boxes collection, we are delighted
Brass
$2,500
H 5.5 in W 13 in D 10 in
Antique French Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Brass Tortoiseshell Keepsake Box 13
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century Napoleon III era French Marquetry Boulle box. Red and black tortoiseshell with
Brass
19th Century French Napoleon III / Boulle Box
Located in Vilnius, LT
Antique French Napoleon III box with inlaid bronze decor, polished black color surface and red
Bronze
Large Antique French Boulle Napoleon III Marquetry Box
By Audige
Located in Vilnius, LT
Antique 19th century French Boulle/Napoleon III marquetry box. The wooden box is decorated with
Brass
$1,100
H 3.35 in W 10.44 in D 6.5 in
French Napoléon III Black Lacquer Box with Boulle-Style Cartouche
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite French Napoléon III black lacquer box is a fine 19th-century desk accessory
Brass
French Napoleon III Boulle Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
this Antique French Boulle Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of square shape with slight bombe form featuring
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique Napoleon III tea box, crafted of black ebonised wood. The inlay is in Boulle
Brass
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.25 in W 3.375 in D 2.25 in
Unusual 18th Century French Boulle & Brass Inlaid Snuff Box w/ Candleholder
Located in Atlanta, GA
This diminutive yet opulent 18th or 19th-century French snuff box exemplifies the Boulle-style
Brass
19th Century French Boulle Tea Caddy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very fine. Early 19th century Napoleon tea caddy. Brass inlay. Crystal vessel (not original).
Crystal, Brass
19th Century French Boulle / Napoleon III Liqueur Cave Box
Located in Vilnius, LT
Antique French liqueur cave box with inlaid brass and and tortoise shell marquetry decor, a lift
Crystal, Bronze, Brass
18th Century French Boulle Vanity Box with Four Perfume Bottles
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Napoleon III boulle and red tortoiseshell and inlaid brass with four original gilt glass bottle and
Brass
19th Century Boulle Work Lap Desk
Located in Alexandria, VA
Fine Napoleon III “Boulle” marquetry lap desk with extensive brass and tortoiseshell inlay, the
Brass
Napoléon III Period, Rose Enamel, Boulle Style, Jewelry Box
By Jean-Pierre Tahan
Located in Charleston, SC
A fine and rare French Napoléon III period, rose enamel, Boulle style, jewelry box that is signed
Boulle Napoleon III Decorative Box
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Chorzów, PL
French antique Boulle tortoise shell inlay box for jewelry, gloves or other precious details. Very
Tortoise Shell
Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Writing Box, France, 1860
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Napoleon III Ecritoire writing box in Boulle style marquetry in bone with brass central cartridge
Brass
Napoleon III Boulle Writing Cabinet Box, France, 1870
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Napoleon III Ecritoire writing cabinet in doucine, ebony veneer and Boulle style marquetry with
Brass, Bronze
Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Sewing Box, France, 1875
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful sewing box, in Boulle Marquetry style in fruitwood and Brass. Napoleon III style, France
Brass
Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Jewelry Box, France 1865
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Boulle Marquetry jewelry box in queen style decoration Napoleon III Beautiful jewelry box, ebony
Brass
Sold
H 5 in W 14.25 in D 9.5 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Rosewood Decorative Boulle Jewelry Box
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Dallas, TX
Created in France circa 1880 in the manner of André-Charles Boulle, the rectangular box is
Brass
Sold
H 3.15 in W 10.63 in D 4.34 in
Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Jewelry Decorative Gloves Box, France
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Napoleon III style period beautiful Glove decorative box in ebony veneer and Boulle marquetry with
Brass
Large Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Box, France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Large Napoleon III box, in Boulle style marquetry with brass inlay. Beautiful ornamentation of
Brass, Bronze
Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Jewelry Box in Five Noble Materials
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Superb jewelry box, in Boule marquetry style with five different inlaid: brass, mother-of-pearl
Brass
Sold
H 6.3 in W 12.21 in D 9.85 in
Black French Napoleon III Boulle Bronze Decorative Beauty Vanity Toiletry Box
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Charming and rare Boulle Marquetry style Beauty Toiletry Box Signed Sormani in Napoleon III Period
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 3.94 in W 10.63 in D 3.94 in
Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Jewelry Decorative Gloves Box, France
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous Napoleon III jewelry decorative box that used to be a gloves box, in Boulle style
Pewter, Brass
Napoleon III Jewelry Boulle Marquetry Box, France 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Precious and unique Napoléon III rectangular jewelry box, blackened wood veneer with Boulle style
Brass
Napoleon III Jewelry Boulle Marquetry Box, France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning and large Napoleon III jewelry or decorative box, in Boulle style marquetry with brass
Brass, Bronze
Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Jewelry Box, France 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful Napoleon III Jewelry box in blackened wood veneer and Boulle style marquetry with inlays
Brass
Sold
H 2.37 in W 9.06 in D 11.82 in
Rare Napoléon III Game Box in Boulle Style Marquetry, France, 1880s
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Rare Napoléon III game box circa 1880 made in Boulle Marquetry style with its game chips. The
Brass
Sold
H 2.37 in W 9.06 in D 11.82 in
Rare Napoléon III Game Box in Boulle Style Marquetry, France, 1880s
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Rare Napoléon III game box circa 1880 made in Boulle Marquetry style with its game chips. The
Brass
Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Jewel Box, France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Very chic jewel or decoration box in Boulle style decorated with brass and horn marquetry with
Brass, Bronze
Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Jewelry Gloves Box, France, 1875
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful jewelry or decorative box, used as a glove box by that time. Made in Boulle Marquetry
Bronze, Brass, Copper
Sold
H 6.7 in W 16.54 in D 11.82 in
Black French Napoleon III Boulle Gilt Bronze Decorative Watercolor Box 19th Cent
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Amazing and really Rare Large Watercolour Box In Boulle Marquetry style, Napoleon III Period
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 1.97 in W 5.52 in D 3.15 in
Rare Pill or Stamp Box in Boulle Marquetry, Napoleon III France, 1870
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Rare stamp box or pill box in boulle marquetry style. Napoleon III style unique small box for
Brass, Pewter
Sold
H 7.09 in W 13.78 in D 11.03 in
Large Black French Napoleon III Boulle Gilt Bronze Decorative Box 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning large decorative Napoleon III period, composed of Boulle style marquetry of doubled and
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 4.34 in W 7.88 in D 3.55 in
Rare Perfume Box Boulle Marquetry and Crystal Bottles, Napoleon III France 1865
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Rare perfume set in Boulle marquetry with five noble materials in Napoleon III style. With its four
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 9.85 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Very Large Black French Napoleon III Boulle Brass Decorative Box 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Very beautiful and really super large box in brass Boulle marquetry style with triple fillets
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 2.76 in W 10.63 in D 4.34 in
Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Bronze Tortoiseshell Jewel Gloves Box, France
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous jewel or decorative box, used as a glove box by that time. Made in Boulle Marquetry style
Bronze, Brass
Sold
H 9.45 in W 21.26 in D 14.57 in
Napoleon III Boulle Style Marquetry Box Brass, Copper, Mother-of-Pearl, France
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Large Size Napoleon III Charles style box in Boule style Marquetry with fine and delicate brass
Brass, Copper
Sold
H 5.91 in W 19.69 in D 13.78 in
Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Style Big Jewelry Box, France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Big size elegant jewelry box in Boulle style brass, dark horn, mother-of-pearl and pewter ornaments
Bronze, Brass, Pewter
Sold
H 7.88 in W 11.03 in L 7.88 in
Decorative Sewing Jewel Box in Boulle Marquetry Napoleon III, France 1870
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Jewel decorative box or sewing box, in Boulle style Marquetry in Ebony, Copper, Brass, Mother of
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 7.88 in W 11.03 in D 7.88 in
Decorative Sewing Jewel Box in Boulle Marquetry Napoleon III, France 1870
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Jewel decorative box or sewing box, in Boulle style Marquetry in Ebony, Copper, Brass, Mother of
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 3.94 in W 10.24 in D 4.34 in
Beautiful Decorative Box in Boulle Marquetry Napoleon III, France, circa 1870
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful decorative box, used for gloves. It opens by its top and facade, in Boulle style
Brass, Bronze, Copper
Cigar Box Gilded Bronze Tahan Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry
By Tahan Paris
Located in Marseille, FR
Gilt bronze cigar box stamped A. Tahan à Paris, circa Napoleon III decorated with Boulle marquetry.
Brass, Bronze
Gloves Box Gilded Bronze Tahan Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry
By Tahan Paris
Located in Marseille, FR
Gilt bronze gloves box stamped A. Tahan à Paris, circa Napoleon III decorated with Boulle marquetry
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 3.55 in W 10.63 in D 3.94 in
Set of Two Napoleon III Jewelry and Pill Boxes in Boulle Style, France
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful Napoleon III set of two decorative boxes, France 19th Century. The biggest one is a
Brass, Pewter
Sold
H 9.06 in W 11.42 in D 8.27 in
Unique Napoleon III Cigar Box Cabinet in Boulle Marquetry, France 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning and unique Napoleon III cigar cellar in ebony in Boulle marquetry style in brass and
Brass
Sold
H 7.88 in W 11.42 in L 7.88 in
Rare Cigar Box Cabinet in Boulle Marquetry, Napoleon III Style, France 1864
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Rare cigar box cabinet in beautiful Boulle Marquetry 'à la Reine' composed of mother-of-pearl cross
Brass
19th Century French Napoleon III Boulle Style Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine and delicate brass inlay in this one of a kind Boulle style box made in France, circa 1880
Brass
Sold
H 4.73 in W 11.82 in D 8.67 in
French Napoleon III "Boulle" Marquetry, Blackened Pear Decorative Box
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very nice French Napoleon III "Boulle" marquetry, blackened pear decorative box. Original key.
Sold
H 4.73 in W 11.82 in D 8.67 in
French Napoleon III "Boulle" Marquetry, Blackened Pear Decorative Box
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very nice French Napoleon III "Boulle" marquetry, blackened pear decorative box. Original key.
Ivory, Wood
Sold
H 3.15 in W 10.24 in D 3.94 in
French Napoleon III "Boulle" Marquetry, Nacre and Gilded Brass Gloves Box
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very nice French Napoleon III "Boulle" marquetry, tortoise shell, nacre and gilded brass decorative
Tortoise Shell
Sold
H 3.15 in W 10.24 in D 3.94 in
French Napoleon III "Boulle" Marquetry, Nacre and Gilded Brass Gloves Box
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very nice French Napoleon III "Boulle" marquetry, tortoiseshell, nacre and gilded brass decorative
Brass
Napoleon III Maison Giroux Jewelry Decorative Boulle Marquetry Box
By Maison Giroux
Located in Paris, FR
Maison Giroux, Napoléon III Oval jewelery box, blackened wood veneer with Boulle style inlay
Brass
Sold
H 5.52 in W 9.85 in D 5.12 in
Boulle marquetry tea box, Napoléon III period, late 19th century signed Vervelle
By Maison Vervelle Audot Successeur
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Beautiful Boulle marquetry and blackened wood tea box / tea caddy, brass pattern inlaid, mahogany
Brass
Ebony and Brass Boulle Marquetry Casket by Maison Vervelle
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in New Orleans, LA
Boulle. Crafted of intricate ebony and brass marquetry, the box beautifully demonstrates the exceptional
Brass
A Shapely French Napoleon III Bombe-Form Boulle-Work Letter Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
A shapely French Napoleon III bombe-form boulle-work letter box with brass, pewter and ivory inlay
Glove Box in Marquetrie De Boulle
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Glove box in Marquetrie de Boulle, interior in blue satin, Napoleon III period, 19th century
Wood
Antique French Boulle Box
Located in Vilnius, LT
Antique 19th century French boulle marquetry box. The wooden box is decorated with inlaid brass
Brass
Napoleon III Boulle Cave à Liqueurs
Located in Montreal, QC
Tortoiseshell and bronze marquetry serpentine front on ebonized wood cellaret, opens top and sides to reveal a gilt bronze rack holding four decanters and ten(of original 16) footed...
Bronze
Sold
H 3.5 in W 11.5 in D 4.25 in
19th Century Boulle Glove Box with Ebonized Wood and Brass Inlays, French
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Boulle glove box with ebonized wood and brass inlays, French, ca. 1860.
Ebony
Napoleon III Bronze Liquor Cellar Tray, France, 1865
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Mahogany liquor cellar tray and Boulle bronze Napoleon III style liquor cabinet tray for round
Bronze
Support Height Cabinet in Boulle Marquetry, Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Beautiful gilt bronze and blue enamel box Beautiful rectangular gilt bronze jewelry box decorated
Bronze
Sold
H 7.49 in W 10.63 in D 7.49 in
Cigar Box Cave Napoleon III in Boulle Brass Marquetry, France, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Very elegant Napoleon III style cigar box cave, in boulle brass marquetry and brass and mahogany
Brass, Bronze
Inkwell in Boulle Marquetry
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Inkwell in Boulle Marquetry with its bottle, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Measures: H: 9 cm
Wood
Napoleon III Writing Desk Boulle Style Marquetry Box, France, 1870
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Weiting desk box. In Doucine Boulle Queen Marquetry Napoleon III style. Very nice ekine writing
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 10.24 in W 13.39 in D 10.63 in
19th Century Complete Brass and Crystal Cave a Liqueur in Boulle Style, France
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant complete cave à liqueur, in Boulle style marquetry with brass filets and beautiful an
Crystal, Brass
Antique Napoleon III Boulle Style Writing Box
Located in Astoria, NY
Dealer: S138XX
Metal
Austrian Bentwood Queen Sized Bed by Jacob & Josef Kohn, 1900
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by J & J Kohn, this mahogany stained bentwood bed features curved head and footboards swelling with decorative scroll form tendrils. J & J Kohn, No. 876, 1900 Catalog. He...
Bentwood
Sold|$233,477
H 51.19 in W 55.12 in D 201.58 in
Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward
By Henry Ward
Located in Amsterdam, NL
England, third quarter of the 19th century On two scrolling foliate feet with casters, above which a rectangular two-side glazed frame, with on top a two-sided shield with initial...
Other
Library of Antique Leatherbound Books
Located in Brønshøj, DK
This collection consists of 400 antique decorative books, mainly dating from 1850–1950, with most published before 1920. The books are bound in leather, many with fine gold leaf embo...
Gold Leaf
$34,722
H 6.3 in W 15.75 in D 5.91 in
Fossilised Skull of Prehistoric Marine Reptile the Mosasaur, 70Million Years Ago
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Upper Cretaceous, about 70-65 million years ago (Maastrichtian) Morocco The skull is reconstructed in good proportions with fossil pieces found in a phosphate mine in Morocco. I att...
Bone
Antique Bronze Ormolu and Leather Jewelry Casket
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 3 3/4in W: 9 3/4in D: 5in This Antique Turn of the Century Bronze Ormolu and Leather Jewelry Casket is truly remarkable and is made of the highest quality! If you t...
Bronze, Ormolu
$117,104
H 240 in W 552 in D 120 in
Mid-Victorian Moorish wrought & cast iron pergola or decorative garden structure
Located in London, GB
A monumental Moorish mid-Victorian wrought iron Pergola or Decorative Garden Structure, a unique masterpiece in High Victorian Ironwork design. Our research confirms it is French, da...
Wrought Iron
$1,257
H 9.06 in W 15.36 in D 11.42 in
19th century non-combustible cast-iron travel strongbox by Bauche-Fichet, France
Located in NICE, FR
19th century non-combustible cast-iron travel strongbox by Bauche-Fichet, France Antique travel safe in non-combustible cast iron from northeastern France (Gueux, Marne). It is de...
Iron
$447,753
H 70.87 in W 125.99 in D 2.17 in
Giant Crocodile Fossil Wall Plate, Germany. 180 Million Years Old.
Located in London, GB
This outstanding fossilised skeleton is that of the ancestral crocodile species Steneosaurus bollensis that lived during the early Jurassic period. The skeleton, complete with armour...
Other
$10,536Sale Price|41% Off
H 31.5 in W 43.31 in D 27.17 in
Rare 15th Century Solid Oak Medieval Dutch Gothic Chest or Trunk
Located in Casteren, NL
A very rare chest that was completely made of solid oak from the Netherlands middle ages. It is a joined chest with hand carved geometric gothic front panels. The ornaments used ar...
Wrought Iron
$2,149Sale Price|20% Off
H 16 in W 19 in
Antique English Dog Oil Painting Portrait of Springer Spaniel Titled Dated 1920
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
'Budge' Portrait of a Spaniel Dog (Springer spaniel?) by George Paice (1854-1925) British Artist *see notes below signed and dated 1920 oil on canvas, framed framed: 16 x 19 inches c...
Oil
Russian 88 Silver And Jade Amethyst Letter Opener
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Russian Neoclassical paper knife or letter opener in the style of a Roman gladius sword. The blade is made of polished nephrite jade stone. Pink guilloche enamel handle with gilt a...
Jade, Silver
$275,383
H 6.3 in W 9.69 in D 6.34 in
16th-Century Indo-Portuguese Colonial Mother-of-pearl Gujarat Casket
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An exceptional Indo-Portuguese colonial mother-of-pearl veneered casket with silver mounts India, Gujarat, 2nd half of the 16th century, the silver mounts Goa or probably Lisbon ...
Silver
$2,100
H 6 in W 7 in D 5 in
19th Century French Empire Cloisonné Bronze Jewelry Casket with Velvet Interior
Located in North Miami, FL
19th century French Empire cloisonne bronze jewelry casket with blue velvet interior By: unknown Material: bronze, velvet, enamel, metal, copper Technique: gilt, cloisonné, champlev...
Bronze, Enamel, Metal, Copper
$6,896Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.39 in W 13.78 in D 9.85 in
Bronze Jewelry Chest In Neo-gothic Style From The Napoleon III Period
Located in NICE, FR
We present you with a large jewellry chest crafted in bronze with medal patina in the neo-gothic style and hailing from the Napoleon II period. It boasts practical dimensions (34cm ...
Metal, Bronze
$1,556
H 4.53 in W 7.09 in D 5.71 in
Charming Swedish Baroque Box in Elm and Fruitwood, Early 18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Swedish Baroque Box in Elm and Fruitwood, Early 18th Century A rare and charming Swedish baroque box dating from the first half of the 18th century, crafted in elm and fruitwood wi...
Elm, Fruitwood
$368,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 104 in W 45 in D 6 in
104" Historic Tiffany Window "Crusader", a Warrior Knight, after Mantegna c1890
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Big Flats, NY
Magnificent historic Tiffany Studios framed window, "Crusader", a Warrior Knight, after the 1460 work by Italian Renaissance painter Andrea Mantegna (1431-1506). Incorporating a harm...
Stained Glass
Under Napoleon III’s rule, Paris underwent a great rebuilding overseen by Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann, which created grand avenues and lavish landmarks like the Paris Opera. Antique Napoleon III–style furniture was flamboyant and eclectic. It was also known as Second Empire style since it followed and referenced the Empire style of his uncle Napoleon I.
Developing from 1852–70, Napoleon III furniture was plush and ornate, matching the fashion for masked balls and socializing in salons. It borrowed freely from earlier French styles including Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI as well as aesthetics from around the world, from antiquity to Asian art. As writer Gustave Claudin remarked in 1867, the country’s architects worked in “a style which one would be tempted to call neo-Greco-Gothico-Pompadour-Pompeian.”
Napoleon III chairs were completely covered with velvet and lined with tassels; pouf footstools invited people to put up their feet. Sofas were upholstered with tapestries, and beds were adorned with gilt bronze and theatrical canopies. The addition of conservatories to homes led to new indoor-outdoor furniture, while the spirit of hygiene promoted by Baron Haussmann inspired bright, floral motifs.
Although the most ostentatious designs were for the elite, as seen in the Napoleon III apartments preserved in the Louvre, where red velvet, gilding and chandeliers create a cacophony of luxury, these trends influenced homes across classes as manufacturing made design increasingly accessible. Papier-mâché furniture allowed for elaborate shapes that would have been difficult to carve in wood. The malleable material was painted with chinoiserie patterns and decorative designs. It was mass-produced by factories such as Jennens and Bettridge with varnishing and mother-of-pearl inlays creating an effect reminiscent of Asian lacquer. (Surfaces that had been “japanned” — a specialty of Jennens and Bettridge — were intended to resemble lacquer work that was created in East Asia.)
Find a collection of antique Napoleon III decorative objects, tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Antique, vintage and new decorative boxes will safely store items while adding a splash of color or texture to a corner in any room. They have had a range of purposes over the years — from trinkets to serving as useful receptacles, such as snuff boxes, jewelry boxes and more. Boxes have also been designed in a range of forms and styles.
Box making is a craft dating back thousands of years. Early boxes as decorative objects were regularly designed and decorated both inside and out, ranging from minimal looks to more flashy styles. Decorative boxes have been constructed from different materials, with wood and metal being the most common. Wood is widely available and versatile, with woodworkers able to carve complex designs or showcase its natural grain.
Some antique jewelry boxes were made with tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl, ivory and even porcupine quills, such as those created by the Anishinabe in Canada and the United States. In Sri Lanka, well-crafted boxes were inlaid with porcupine quills and ivory discs between ebony bands. Chinese sewing boxes and tea boxes made of black lacquer were popular in Europe during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. These often featured gold-painted designs or landscape scenes. Silk, paper and velvet frequently enhanced these boxes’ interiors.
Any style of decorative box can be a nice tabletop or desktop decor, whether to hold candy or tea in the living room or paper, pencils and other business supplies in the office. They can also act as jewelry boxes. Sewing boxes can be a lovely touch to any space while storing magazines or other trinkets.
You can find metal, wood and silver antique boxes on 1stDibs. The collection includes mid-century modern, Victorian and Art Deco styles that can add elegance to any home.