Moser Casket Box
Antique Late 19th Century Czech Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Czech Art Nouveau Jewelry Boxes
Brass
20th Century French Decorative Boxes
Art Glass
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Decorative Boxes
Silver Plate
Antique 19th Century European Aesthetic Movement Decorative Boxes
Metal, Ormolu
Antique Mid-19th Century Jewelry Boxes
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century Jewelry Boxes
Brass, Enamel
Antique 19th Century Glass
Glass
Recent Sales
20th Century Czech Bohemian Decorative Boxes
Cut Glass
Antique 19th Century Jewelry Boxes
Glass
Antique 19th Century Jewelry Boxes
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Boxes
Glass
Vintage 1950s French Hollywood Regency Jewelry Boxes
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Antique Early 1900s French Empire Jewelry Boxes
Crystal, Metal, Brass
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Chrome
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Oak
2010s Italian Busts
Plaster
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Vases
Bronze
Late 20th Century Chinese Organic Modern Decorative Boxes
Bamboo, Rattan, Lacquer
Antique 1890s Spanish Rustic Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Ceramic, Earthenware, Stoneware, Terracotta
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Plastic
Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Neoclassical Stone Sinks
Stone
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Earthenware, Majolica, Ceramic
Antique 19th Century French Rococo Revival Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
Vintage 1910s French Art Deco Animal Sculptures
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Taxidermy
Glass
Vintage 1920s German Art Deco Wall-mounted Sculptures
Bronze
20th Century Korean Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
Brass
Finding the Right Boxes for You
From mere trinkets to useful receptacles that serve a distinct purpose, antique boxes as decorative objects have come in many forms over the years. No matter what they’re made of or where they end up in your home, decorative boxes add both style and storage to your space.
The decorative box that is likely most common is the jewelry box. These boxes were originally known as jewel caskets and were in common use in Ancient Egypt, as most Egyptians wore some sort of jewelry. A portable jewelry box, in its original intended use, was integral to keeping your jewelry safe and secure. This accessory has transformed in size, shape and appearance over the years. Initially it was common for a jewelry box to bear intricate ornamentation. Whether they’re mid-century modern works of marble and brass or feature playful Art Deco–style geometric decor, jewelry boxes boast real staying power.
Snuff boxes began to soar in popularity during the 17th century (and were commonplace in European homes by the mid-19th century). The boxes, some hand-painted with landscape scenes, some made from gold, porcelain or stone, contained a small amount of tobacco, which users would sniff, or “snuff,” throughout the day. Some particularly ornamental snuff boxes featured enameled designs or were set with precious gems and were given as gifts or party favors, particularly at the coronation of royalty or other lavish events.
Whether you’re organizing important mail in the foyer or tucking away medications in your bathroom, antique boxes — be they metal tea caddies, sterling-silver decorative boxes or Victorian cigar boxes made of oak (even if you don’t smoke) — are a sophisticated solution to help keep the surfaces in your home clutter-free. And no matter if you’re seeking a decorative box to beautify a desktop or bestow upon a loved one, you are sure to find something you love in the collection of antique and vintage boxes on 1stDibs.
Read More
How a Craving for Color Revolutionized Glass
After synthetic dyes changed fashion, home goods and printed matter, it was only a matter of time till glass caught up.
Kazuyo Sejima’s Flowering Tree Blooms Year-Round
The brilliantly simple design turns a modest bouquet into a major statement.
He Wrote ‘Oedipus Rex,’ but Do You Know What He Looked Like?
The Greek tragedian is said to have been handsome in his day.
Cigar Culture Was Once the Peak of Masculinity. Now, It’s a Compelling Curiosity
Even for those who don’t indulge, elegant smoking accessories and audacious art portraying cigar enthusiasts hold a nostalgic allure.
African Travel Plans on Hold? This Ardmore Leopard Vase Brings the Beauty of the Savanna to You
It’s an excellent example of the sought-after ceramics coming out of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
With a High-Tech Flagship and Cool Collabs, Lladró Is Breaking the Mold for Porcelain Production
Thanks to its new leadership, the Spanish maker of figurines, busts and lighting is on a mission to update the art of porcelain for the 21st century.
Zoë Powell’s Magnolia 05 Vessel Is Handmade from Clay She Unearthed Herself
The free-form stoneware piece is inspired by the magnolia tree and its associations with home.
8 Ways to Breathe New Life into a Space with Plants
The pair behind the Instagram account @houseplantclub share their tips for making any room of the house gloriously green.