Real Tortoise Shell Box
Antique 19th Century Swiss Louis XV Decorative Boxes
Gold
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Tea Caddies
Tortoise Shell, Mother-of-Pearl
People Also Browsed
Antique Early 1900s Other Musical Instruments
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Lacquer
Antique Early 19th Century English Tea Caddies
Tortoise Shell
Vintage 1910s American Art Nouveau Table Lamps
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Jewelry Boxes
Brass, Bronze
Antique Early 1800s English George III Tea Caddies
Satinwood, Tulipwood, Yew
Antique 1840s Swiss Early Victorian Decorative Boxes
Silver, Iron, Cut Steel, Steel, Bronze
Vintage 1970s Unknown Brutalist Dressers
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century European Decorative Boxes
Mother-of-Pearl, Velvet, Plastic
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Tea Caddies
Sycamore
Antique Late 19th Century French Other Wall Clocks
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Antique 16th Century Indian Jewelry Boxes
Silver
Vintage 1910s English Tea Caddies
Ivory, Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl
Antique 1870s English Tea Caddies
Silver
Vintage 1950s English Renaissance Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
Antique 19th Century Swiss Other Musical Instruments
Walnut
Recent Sales
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
Silver Plate
Antique Mid-19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Jewelry Boxes
Sandalwood, Bone, Tortoise Shell
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Lucite
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Antique Early 1800s British Georgian Tea Caddies
Tortoise Shell
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Tortoise Shell
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
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.
Paris Gallerist Sandy Toupenet Gets Fired Up over 20th-Century Ceramics and Inventive New Makers
Her space on the city’s Left Bank mixes mid-century pieces by the likes of Jean Cocteau and Pablo Picasso with whimsical contemporary creations.
These Soft Sculptures Are Childhood Imaginary Friends Come to Life
Miami artist and designer Gabriela Noelle’s fantastical creations appeal to the Peter Pan in all of us.
This Vivacious Teapot Has Agnes Martin on One Side and Jean-Michel Basquiat on the Other
Ceramist Roberto Lugo brings a street-art sensibility to a dainty serving vessel while paying homage to his artistic heroes.
This Rare Set of 100 Alessi Vases Includes Designs by Scores of International Artists
Alessandro Mendini, Michael Graves, Ettore Sottsass and other design luminaries contributed to this unusual collection of porcelain wares representing a time capsule of late-20th-century decorative art.