Vintage Box Woodenware
1960s American Folk Art Vintage Box Woodenware
Wood
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Vintage Box Woodenware
Stainless Steel
1980s Indian Hollywood Regency Vintage Box Woodenware
Precious Stone
2010s Canadian Organic Modern Vintage Box Woodenware
Steel
2010s French Vintage Box Woodenware
Iron
2010s American Organic Modern Vintage Box Woodenware
Walnut
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Vintage Box Woodenware
Bone, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Late 19th Century Portuguese Vintage Box Woodenware
Ceramic
19th Century European Neoclassical Vintage Box Woodenware
Brass
18th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial Vintage Box Woodenware
Silver
Mid-20th Century Belgian Vintage Box Woodenware
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Rustic Vintage Box Woodenware
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Box Woodenware
Glass, Wood
Early 1900s French Vintage Box Woodenware
Terracotta
Late 19th Century Folk Art Vintage Box Woodenware
Velvet, Wood, Paint
Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Vintage Box Woodenware
Other
2010s Contemporary Vintage Box Woodenware
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Giclée
A Close Look at Folk-art Furniture
Folk art is a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Antique, new and vintage folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, duck decoys, portraiture and paintings, carnival art and quilts.
Quilts are a quintessential part of American folk art but their roots are international, with quilting dating back to Ancient Egypt. The practice spread to Europe and was especially prominent in the Middle Ages, with one of the oldest surviving examples being the Tristan quilt made in Sicily in the 14th century. They were made as bedcovers and clothing, including as a layer for knights to wear beneath their armor. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.
Elsewhere, the vast range of work associated with Mexican folk art includes masks made by Mexican craftspeople for traditional celebrations and ceremonial dances. Mexican masks are part of the country’s folk-art traditions that go back thousands of years and play a role in festivals and theater.
Works in the folk art tradition are valuable because of the skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story.
During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.
Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of antique, new and vintage folk art on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right Decorative-boxes for You
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023To clean a vintage wood box, wipe it with a soft cloth moistened with mild dish soap and water. You can use a soft-bristled brush and soapy water to remove dirt from the hinges and clasp. Next, use a fresh, damp cloth to wipe away the soap and then finish by drying with a third cloth. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of wood boxes.