When were hat boxes used?

Hat boxes rose to prominence in the 1800s, and they continue to be used today for storing and transporting important headwear. Shop a large collection of vintage and contemporary hat boxes from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What is a Chinese hat box?

A Chinese hat box is a storage container traditionally used in China and other areas of East Asia to store hats and other headwear. Normally, the boxes feature lacquer construction and have a conical shape. On 1stDibs, find a range of Chinese hat boxes.

What is a hat box called?

A hat box is most often called a hat box or hatbox, though depending on the material it is made of, it could be referred to as a hat tin. It could also be called a bandbox, though this is a more generic term for a box used to carry a variety of garments. Shop a variety of hatboxes on 1stDibs.

What is a Japanese puzzle box?

A Japanese puzzle box, called himitsu-bako, are wooden boxes which keep items safe from theft through an intricate mechanical pattern. These boxes require specific steps moving the mechanism to release the obscured lid, opening to reveal the cavity within.

How do I clean a Japanese lacquer box?

To clean a Japanese lacquer box, start by moistening a soft lint-free cloth with warm water. Ring it out and then gently rub every surface. Do not use soap as it may damage the lacquer. Dry the box promptly with a second soft, dry lint-free cloth. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Japanese lacquer boxes.

Which object in a Japanese writing box was considered the most precious and permanent?

The inkstone was the most precious and permanent object in a Japanese writing set. It is a mortar used for mixing dry ink with water for the purposes of writing. You'll find a selection of Japanese writing boxes on 1stDibs.

Japanese Hat Box

Japanese Lacquered Miniature

Miniature Japanese Lacquer Ebony Hokkai Hat Box

$1,425

Miniature Japanese Lacquer Ebony Hokkai Hat Box

Located in Norton, MA

A Meiji period a miniature carved ebony hokkai decorated with lots of inlaid elements on the lower band and on the fitted lid and resting on three feet. one small inlay object missin...

Category

Antique 19th Century Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Recent Sales

Meiji Hokkai Box, Japan

Unavailable

H 16.54 in Dm 13 in

Meiji Hokkai Box, Japan

Located in Brussels, BE

Japanese late Meiji period Hokkai box or hat box.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Copper

Pair of Japanese Black Lacquer Hat Box

Sold

H 16 in Dm 15 in

Pair of Japanese Black Lacquer Hat Box

Located in Queens, NY

Pair of Meiji period Japanese black lacquer hat boxes having fluted designs and etched brass trim at the top and legs.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Boxes

Japanese Black Lacquer Hat Box

Sold

H 17 in Dm 15.5 in L 17 in

Japanese Black Lacquer Hat Box

Located in Stamford, CT

A Meiji period Japanese black lacquer hat box having decoration of pentagons of gilt circles and embossed brass trim.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Wood

1920-1940s Rare Japanese Imperial Army Officer Hat with Storage Box

Sold

H 5.52 in W 8.86 in D 7.49 in

1920-1940s Rare Japanese Imperial Army Officer Hat with Storage Box

Located in Fukuoka, JP

A Rare Japanese Imperial Army Officer Hat with Original Metal Box.

Category

20th Century Japanese Taisho Antiquities

Materials

Wool

Pair of Japanese Black and Gold Lacquer Round Hokkai Picnic/ Hat Boxes, Meiji

Sold

H 18 in Dm 16 in

Pair of Japanese Black and Gold Lacquer Round Hokkai Picnic/ Hat Boxes, Meiji

Located in Seattle, WA

Beautiful pair of Japanese black and gold lacquer Hokkai picnic boxes Late Meiji period Crafted in black lacquer, and heavily decorated in maki-e, with gilt copper mounts ...

Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Lacquer

Japanese Maki-e Lacquer Stacking Box, Jubako, Meiji Period, Japan

$4,800

H 24 in W 14 in D 14 in

Japanese Maki-e Lacquer Stacking Box, Jubako, Meiji Period, Japan

Located in Austin, TX

A fine and impressive Japanese gold maki-e decorated black lacquer five-tier jubako with presentation tray, two lids, and the original tomobako storage box, Meiji period, late 19th c...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

A Japanese Edo Period Lacquer Kogo (Incense) Box, late 17/early 18th Century

$3,500

H 2.5 in W 3.5 in D 3 in

A Japanese Edo Period Lacquer Kogo (Incense) Box, late 17/early 18th Century

Located in Spencertown, NY

Early Japanese Lacquer Incense Box (Kogo) Late 17thc. Of rectangular form with soft corners, decorated with a diaper pattern in gold lacquer on a brownish black ground, with pewter r...

Category

Antique 17th Century Japanese Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pewter

Japanese black lacquer box, Japan, early 20th century

$515

H 6.3 in W 6.3 in D 3.55 in

Japanese black lacquer box, Japan, early 20th century

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

An elegant antique Japanese box in black lacquered wood, decorated with a delicate gold motif depicting a bird perched on a flowering branch, accompanied by stylized landscape elemen...

Category

Vintage 1920s Japanese Japonisme Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Maki-e Lacquered Box, Ric.049

$925

H 3.125 in W 13.125 in D 4.5 in

Japanese Maki-e Lacquered Box, Ric.049

Located in Norton, MA

Japan, Edo to Meiji period, a long rectangular document box with hinged cover, decorated with a bird and a floral basket, The locker is not functioning.

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Japanese Maki-e Lacquer Stack Box Jubako

$6,000

H 11 in W 7 in D 5.8 in

Japanese Maki-e Lacquer Stack Box Jubako

Located in Atlanta, GA

An antique jubako (stack boxes) with five tiers in an elongated octagon shape circa 19th century (end of Edo or beginning of Meiji period). jubako was traditionally used to store and...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Kodaiji Maki-e Lacquer Kyarabako Incense Box, Momoyama Period

$10,200

H 6.5 in W 5.5 in D 5.75 in

Japanese Kodaiji Maki-e Lacquer Kyarabako Incense Box, Momoyama Period

Located in Austin, TX

A striking and rare Japanese Kodaiji style lacquer kyara-bako, box for precious agarwood incense, Momoyama period (1573-1615), late 16th to early 17th century, Japan. The rectangula...

Category

Antique 16th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Copper

A Japanese Meiji Period Black Lacquer Hokai Lidded Box with Brass Mounts

$2,850

H 16.5 in Dm 15 in

A Japanese Meiji Period Black Lacquer Hokai Lidded Box with Brass Mounts

Located in San Francisco, CA

this large ribbed and cylindrical Japanese shell-game box with domed lid decorated overall with Maki-e (gold lacquered) foliate wreaths and stylized flower heads and incised brass mo...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Circa 1870 Japanese Meiji Era Lacquer & Papier Mache Box

$180

H 2 in W 7.38 in D 4.63 in

Circa 1870 Japanese Meiji Era Lacquer & Papier Mache Box

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Circa 1870 Meiji era lacquer & papier mache box, Japan. Black with red divided interior. Painted with a fascinating scene of figures in a garden examining a miniature temple with hol...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Early 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy

$1,250

H 5.33 in W 11.75 in D 8.251 in

Early 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy

Located in Charlottesville, VA

A large octagonal form Chinese export tea caddy in black lacquer decorated throughout in gilt and red with figural garden scenes, pavilions, and dense scrolling foliage. The lid pane...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Paint

Antique Japanese Lacquer Jewelry Box Towards the End of the 19th Century

$285

H 3.15 in W 8.27 in D 7.09 in

Antique Japanese Lacquer Jewelry Box Towards the End of the 19th Century

Located in Marseille, FR

Antique Japanese lacquer jewelry box from the late 19th century decorated with flowers and foliage, 8 cm high for a length of 21 cm by 18 cm. Additional information: Material: La...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Edo-Period Lacquerware Chest

$4,450

H 3.5 in W 5.5 in D 3.75 in

Edo-Period Lacquerware Chest

Located in New Orleans, LA

Edo-Period Lacquerware Chest 19th-century This exquisite chest, inspired by Hasami-Bako travel trunks, is a striking example of Japanese lacquerware. The hiramaki-e technique—applie...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold

Old Japanese Black Lacquered Decorative Round Papier Mache Box with Hinged Top

$262Sale Price|25% Off

H 3 in Dm 5.5 in

Old Japanese Black Lacquered Decorative Round Papier Mache Box with Hinged Top

Located in North Salem, NY

This charming old Japanese round box is crafted from lightweight papier-mâché and finished in a deep, glossy black lacquer that highlights its graceful form. The surface features han...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Decorative Boxes

Materials

Paper

Antique Burmese Lacquer Betel Box “Kun-It”

$175

H 8.25 in Dm 8.25 in

Antique Burmese Lacquer Betel Box “Kun-It”

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Antique Burmese Betel Box “Kun-It”, a cylindrical woven container with a deep lid and interior tray all covered in layers of black, red and green lacquer having incised decoration of...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Burmese Tribal Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

19th Century Qing Dynasty Chinese Lacquer Jewelry Box with Gold Detail

$1,504Sale Price|20% Off

H 3.5 in Dm 7 in

19th Century Qing Dynasty Chinese Lacquer Jewelry Box with Gold Detail

Located in Brea, CA

19th century Qing Dynasty Chinese lacquer jewelry box detailed with various genre scenes in gold detail. Pink silk lining, can be locked, does not include key. Very unique shape. Sil...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Japanese Lacquer Kogo 'Incense Box'

$4,900

H 4.25 in W 7.25 in D 1.75 in

Japanese Lacquer Kogo 'Incense Box'

Located in Hudson, NY

Late Edo (1614 - 1868) period incense storage box in stacked, double fan design. Fans have bamboo and plum design with a chrysanthemum crest. Silver metal rim and seat, nashiji (gold...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Gold

Japanese Lacquer Box with Bamboo, Plum, and Family Crest

$5,500

H 9.75 in W 11.5 in D 14.25 in

Japanese Lacquer Box with Bamboo, Plum, and Family Crest

Located in Hudson, NY

Made with heavy gold flakes and lacquered fabric on wood, with cutout heart designs. Has an interior tray, and comes with silk tasseled ties. (Does not come with presentation stand).

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

People Also Browsed

Japanese Momoyama Period Black Lacquer and Mother of Pearl Box, 16th Century

$9,800

H 4 in W 11 in D 15 in

Japanese Momoyama Period Black Lacquer and Mother of Pearl Box, 16th Century

Located in Austin, TX

A fine and unusual Japanese black lacquer and mother of pearl inlaid box, Momoyama Period, 16th century, Japan. The large box and cover featuring a design of blossoming plum bran...

Category

Antique 16th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer, Abalone

Japanese Lacquer and Gold Tray

$16,800

H 3.75 in W 23.75 in D 23.75 in

Japanese Lacquer and Gold Tray

Located in New Orleans, LA

This Meiji-period lacquer tray represents the mastery of Japanese craftsmen in the art of lacquer work. Precious materials are precisely inlaid in the lacquer base, creating a highly...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Asian Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Gold

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Japanese Hat Box For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the Japanese hat box you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each Japanese hat box for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using ceramic, porcelain and lacquer. Find 7 options for an antique or vintage Japanese hat box now, or shop our selection of 2 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Your living room may not be complete without a Japanese hat box — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. When you’re browsing for the right Japanese hat box, those designed in Art Deco, Louis XVI and mid-century modern styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made Japanese hat box over the years, but those crafted by Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley and Mimura Chikuho are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Japanese Hat Box?

Prices for a Japanese hat box can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $616 and can go as high as $233,398, while the average can fetch as much as $1,685.

Finding the Right Asian Art And Furniture for You

From Japanese handmade earthenware pottery, originating circa 14,500 B.C. and adorned with elaborate corded patterns known as jōmon, to natural elm case pieces and storage cabinets built in Qing dynasty–era China to mid-century Thai rice-paper charcoal rubbings, antique and vintage Asian art and furniture make for wonderful additions to all kinds of contemporary interiors.

Eastern elements elevate any home’s decor. Introduce zen sensibility to your living room, dining room and bedroom with the neutral color palettes and the natural materials such as rattan, bamboo and elm that we typically associate with traditional Asian furniture. Decorative handwoven embroideries and textiles originating from India and elsewhere on the continent, which can be draped over a bed or sofa or used as a wall hanging, can be as practical as they are functional, just as you wouldn’t seek out Japanese room-divider screens — often decorated with paintings but constructed to be lightweight and mobile — merely for privacy.

With everything from blanket chests to lighting fixtures to sculptures and carvings, it’s easy to tastefully bring serenity to your living space by looking to the treasures for which the East has long been known.

For British-born furniture designer Andrianna Shamaris, the Japanese concept of beauty in imperfection isn’t limited to her Wabi Sabi collection. She embraces it in her New York City apartment as well. In the living area, for instance, she retained the fireplace’s original black marble while swathing its frame and the rest of the room in bright white.

“We left the fireplace very clean and wabi-sabi, so that it blended into the wall,” says Shamaris, who further appointed the space with a hand-carved antique daybed whose plush pillows are upholstered in antique textiles from the Indonesian island of Sumba.

In the growing antique and vintage Asian art and furniture collection on 1stDibs, find ceramics from China, antiquities from Cambodia and a vast range of tables, seating, dining chairs and other items from Japan, India and other countries.

Questions About Japanese Hat Box

When were hat boxes used?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Hat boxes rose to prominence in the 1800s, and they continue to be used today for storing and transporting important headwear. Shop a large collection of vintage and contemporary hat boxes from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What is a Chinese hat box?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A Chinese hat box is a storage container traditionally used in China and other areas of East Asia to store hats and other headwear. Normally, the boxes feature lacquer construction and have a conical shape. On 1stDibs, find a range of Chinese hat boxes.
What is a hat box called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A hat box is most often called a hat box or hatbox, though depending on the material it is made of, it could be referred to as a hat tin. It could also be called a bandbox, though this is a more generic term for a box used to carry a variety of garments. Shop a variety of hatboxes on 1stDibs.
What is a Japanese puzzle box?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
A Japanese puzzle box, called himitsu-bako, are wooden boxes which keep items safe from theft through an intricate mechanical pattern. These boxes require specific steps moving the mechanism to release the obscured lid, opening to reveal the cavity within.
How do I clean a Japanese lacquer box?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
To clean a Japanese lacquer box, start by moistening a soft lint-free cloth with warm water. Ring it out and then gently rub every surface. Do not use soap as it may damage the lacquer. Dry the box promptly with a second soft, dry lint-free cloth. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Japanese lacquer boxes.
Which object in a Japanese writing box was considered the most precious and permanent?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The inkstone was the most precious and permanent object in a Japanese writing set. It is a mortar used for mixing dry ink with water for the purposes of writing. You'll find a selection of Japanese writing boxes on 1stDibs.

Symbols of Happiness and Rebirth Adorn This Japanese Satsuma Bowl

Decorated with white cranes and the sought-after thousand-butterflies motif, the Meiji-period vessel offers both a celebration of traditional aesthetics and a clear reflection of the era’s appetite for exquisite export pieces.

Chicago’s Pagoda Red Has a Spirited Mix of Asian Antiques and Bold New Art

For 25 years, gallerist Betsy Nathan has leveraged her keen eye and key connections to bring a unique selection of rare finds to the market.

In L.A., Gallerist JF Chen Has Long Championed Eclectic Blue-Chip Design

Now working alongside his daughter Bianca, dealer Joel Chen has presented a most covetable array of antiques, art and contemporary creations for more than 40 years.

12 Calming Spaces Inspired by Japanese Design

From cherry-blossom-adorned walls paired with glamorous lighting to wood-paneled ceilings above checkerboard-patterned chairs, these 12 spaces seamlessly blend Eastern and Western aesthetics.

Rodrigo Rivero Lake’s Mexico City Showroom Is a Museum-Worthy Trove of Spanish Colonial and Asian Antiques

The dealer and curator has spent the past 50 years amassing a collection of exceptional art, furniture and architectural elements that trace the cultural influence of the Spanish empire from Europe to the Americas and beyond.