George III Rococco Pressed Tortoiseshell, Ormolu, Bilston/Battersea Snuff Box
Located in London, GB
An extremely rare antique English George III Rococo pressed tortoiseshell, ormolu and Battersea enamel snuff box.
Enamel, Ormolu
$4,200Sale Price|30% Off
Snuff box with bone lid and gold-covered tortoiseshell, with floral ornaments
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Snuff box with bone and tortoiseshell lid covered in gold, with floral ornaments.
Silver
Large George III Table / Master Snuff in Stained Mulberry Burl and Tortoiseshell
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Large Georgian table or master snuff box of cushion form having tortoiseshell veneered front, back and end caps with green stained mulberry burl bottom and lid, the lid with a wood h...
Tortoise Shell, Burl
Antique Tortoiseshell singing bird box, by Bontems
Located in London, GB
A antique tortoiseshell singing bird box, by Bontems Circa 1890, Going-barrel movement, Motor-view light anomaly... When wound and start/stop slide moved to the right, the bi...
Tortoise Shell
Gabriella Crespi Tortoiseshell and Sterling Silver Box
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in New York, NY
Gabriella Crespi tortoise and sterling silver box. Vintage Crespi cylindrical cigarette case with engraved Gabriella Crespi logo monogram and original label from Rome. Italy, mid-20t...
Sterling Silver
Composition tortoiseshell and gilt metal singing bird box
Located in London, GB
A good antique composition tortoiseshell and gilt metal singing bird box, German circa 1900 Going-barrel movement Setting the birds free... When wound and the sta...
Tortoise Shell
19th Century English Tortoiseshell Hinged Box with Silver Decorations
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century English tortoiseshell hinged box with silver decorations.
Tortoise Shell
Antique Tortoiseshell Singing Bird Box, Most Probably by Bontems
Located in London, GB
A antique tortoiseshell singing bird box, most probably by Bontems, Going barrel movement, Gilt metal two-tone brilliance... When wound and start/stop slide moved to the right...
Tortoise Shell
18th Century French 18K Gold & Enamel Snuff Box, Joseph-Etienne Blerzy c.1780
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
On 27 February 1750, Joseph-Etienne Blerzy became apprentice to François-Joachim Aubert, a goldsmith who had specialised in mounting tortoiseshell and lacquer snuff boxes. Aubert als...
Gold, Enamel
Faux Tortoiseshell Veneered Etui for Wax and Sealing Sticks, English c.1830–1860
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined mid-19th century personal writing accessory, the rectangular case sheathed in richly mottled tortoiseshell veneer, its surface presenting a deep marbled pattern of honey an...
Shell, Velvet
Christie's October 21, 2004 Furniture Art Tapestries Ceramics & Carpets Catalog
By Christie's
Located in Red Lion, PA
It provides expert analysis of marquetry and parquetry involving exotic woods like kingwood and tulipwood, as well as the delicate "piqué" work found in tortoiseshell and gold snuff ...
Paper
Unavailable
H 0.99 in Dm 3.94 in
A Exceptional Canton carved faux tortoiseshell snuff box. Qing Dynasty
Located in London, GB
A Exceptional Canton carved faux tortoiseshell snuff box. Qing Dynasty. A Canton carved tortoiseshell snuff box 19th Century Of circular shape and carved in high relief to the cover...
Tortoise Shell
Montesquieu Portrait Tortoiseshell Snuff Box
By Jacques Joseph de Gault
Located in New Orleans, LA
An exquisite miniature of French philosopher Charles Montesquieu graces the lid of this tortoiseshell-lined snuff box. The handsome portrait was fashioned by the renowned Jacques-Jos...
Gold, Enamel
Sold
H 0.79 in W 3.39 in D 2.17 in
Tortoiseshell Snuff Box with Micomosaic and Gold, Early 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Rectangular snuff box in brown tortoiseshell and gold. The interior of the box is entirely lined with gold.
Stone, Gold
Sold
H 0.5 in W 2.25 in D 3.1 in
A rare Queen Anne silver & tortoiseshell Snuff Box. Made by John Obrisset
Located in London, GB
He worked in silver, horn and tortoiseshell and specialised in Snuff Boxes with portraits in relief.
Rare William III Silver-Mounted Tortoiseshell Snuff Box
Located in London, GB
The Snuff Box is of an oval form with silver sides and mounts and a stand away hinge.
Sold
H 3 in W 5.5 in D 5.5 in
Antique Victorian Silver Card Case Trinket and Snuff Box Regency Grand Tour 19ct
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Width: (just under) 3.5” (8.5cms). ------------------------------------ Rectangular horn and Tortoiseshell Snuff Box, possibly Regency period.
Silver
Very Fine and Unusual William & Mary Tortoiseshell Pique Snuff Box
Located in London, GB
The snuff box is of a most unusual size and was most probably for the use of a Lady.
Sold
H 2.6 in W 1.9 in D 0.1 in
Extremely Fine and Unusual George II Tortoiseshell Pique Snuff Box Made
Located in London, GB
This fine box unusually has a square form, as many are oval at this date. The base and sides are made of tortoiseshell and the hinged cover is inlaid with beautiful beaded borders an...
Sold
H 1 in W 1.75 in D 3.5 in
18th Century Tortoiseshell, Silver, Brass & Pearl Inlay Snuff Boxes Set of Three
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A nice group of three, 18th century Georgian English black lacquered snuff boxes, decorated to resemble tortoise shell and with detailed decorations of silver, brass and mother-of-pe...
Silver, Brass
Gold, Enamel, Tortoiseshell and Lacquer Box, Louis XV Period
By Julien Alaterre
Located in Paris, FR
Circular box in several shades of gold, enamel, and composite materials. The box features varnish or tortoiseshell powder inlaid with thin bands of pink gold. A yellow gold mounting ...
Gold, Enamel
Gold, Enamel, Tortoiseshell and Lacquer Box, Louis XV Period
By Julien Alaterre
Located in Paris, FR
Circular box in several shades of gold, enamel, and composite materials. The box features varnish or tortoiseshell powder inlaid with thin bands of pink gold. A yellow gold mounting ...
Enamel, Gold
Tortoiseshell gold inlaid snuff box
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine English or Continental tortoiseshell gold inlaid snuff box depicting a neoclassical architectural scene.
Gold
English Tortoiseshell and Silver Mounted Card Case, Circa 1830
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Georgian-era tortoiseshell card case of refined, minimalist form, circa 1830 or earlier, the surfaces composed of richly patterned shell plates in mottled honey, chestnut, and espr...
Shell
Sold
H 4 in W 2.625 in D 0.375 in
Early to Mid-19th Century Tortoiseshell and Mother-of-Pearl Card Case
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely fashioned rectangular calling card case, constructed in rich, mottled tortoiseshell and framed with geometric mother-of-pearl corner panels, the contrasting materials creati...
Shell
English Tortoiseshell Shaped Snuff Box with Yellow Metal Inlay
Located in San Francisco, CA
A rare English tortoiseshell shaped snuff box with yellow metal inlay.
Tortoise Shell
A very rare George III Tortoiseshell, Lacquer & Gold Snuff Box made circa 1800.
Located in London, GB
The Snuff Box has a lacquer, tortoiseshell and gold main body.
A very rare George III Tortoiseshell, Lacquer & Gold Snuff Box made circa 1800.
Located in London, GB
The Snuff Box has a lacquer, tortoiseshell and gold main body.
Sold
H 1.5 in W 6.5 in D 3 in
Antique Victorian Jewellery Casket Trinket and Snuff Box Regency Grand Tour 19ct
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Width: 3” (7.5cms). ------------------------------------ Miniature rectangular horn and Tortoiseshell Snuff Box, possibly Regency period.
Silver
Tortoiseshell Cigarette Case
Located in New York, NY
Tortoiseshell cigarette case. Antique tortoiseshell covered cigarette case with removable lid. Very richly figured tortoiseshell decorative box in shades of caramel and mahogany for ...
Tortoise Shell
Georgian Faux Tortoiseshell & Silver Mounted Hinged Cigar Case C. 1830
Located in Atlanta, GA
This finely constructed cigar case is executed in a richly mottled tortoiseshell veneer, carefully framed and edged with ivory colored mounts and inlaid panels. The exterior presents...
Shell
Sold
H 4 in W 2.625 in D 0.375 in
Early to Mid-19th Century Tortoiseshell and Mother-of-Pearl Card Case
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely fashioned rectangular calling card case, constructed in rich, mottled tortoiseshell and framed with geometric mother-of-pearl corner panels, the contrasting materials creati...
Shell
Tortoiseshell Musical snuff box
Located in Zonhoven, BE
Music box made in Switzerland 2nd quarter-19th century. This rare snuffbox plays 2 melodies, on a comb made of several small parts. (Until the mid-19th century, it was not yet possi...
Bronze, Steel, Cut Steel, Iron
$17,641
H 1.66 in W 3.94 in D 1.11 in
A silver gilt and Imperial Yellow guilloche enamel singing bird box
Located in London, GB
A very fine silver gilt and Imperial Yellow guilloche enamel singing bird box with timepiece, by C. A. Marguerat, with a Nightingale on the lid. The Nightingale has appeared in many...
Silver, Enamel
$115,796
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
$187,500
H 102 in W 84.5 in D 22.5 in
Exceptional 19th Century English Chinoiserie Pagoda Display Cabinet
Located in Houston, TX
Large-scale 19th century English display cabinet executed in the Chinoiserie tradition. Constructed in carved mahogany and conceived as a tripartite architectural façade, each glazed...
Glass, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Faux Tortoise Shell Inlaid Box
Located in Greenwich, CT
Charming early 19th century box decorated in faux tortoise shell and having zig zag patterned string inlay, the interior with fitted tray for use as a jewelry or work box and retaini...
Ebony, Wood
Victorian Nécessaire de Voyage
Located in New Orleans, LA
A work of extraordinary craftsmanship, this exquisite English vanity case is as much an item of luxury as it is of necessity. Known as a nécessaire de voyage, the case features a lux...
Velvet, Glass, Wood
Automaton Singing Birds
Located in Norwich, GB
Automaton Singing birds Automaton singing birds housed in a gilded case standing on a stepped gilded base. Three articulated singing birds standing on a green base with l...
Brass
Modernist Burl Wood Trinket Box
Located in San Diego, CA
An unusual and streamlined burl wood trinket box, circa 1990s. The box has a movable lid and is in great vintage condition. Incredibly beautiful piece that exudes organic modern sty...
Burl
Duke and Duchess of Windsor Gold Snuff Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This important Louis XV gold snuff box is from the prestigious collection of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The engine-turned gold box originally sold at Sotheby’s historic sale Th...
Gold
$524,490 / set
H 114.5 in W 35.5 in D 5 in
19th Century, Monumental Carved Boiserie Panels from Lartington Hall
Located in London, GB
The Lartington hall carved Boiserie panels by Signor Anton Leone Bulletti. A highly important suite of eight carved and patinated wood panels commissioned by Monsignor Thomas Edw...
Wood, Pine
French Nécessaire de Voyage
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional and rare French nécessaire de voyage is almost certainly the work of the highly respected Parisian manufacturer Pierre-Dominique Maire and the silversmith Jacques-Br...
Crystal, Silver
Silver, Gold Enamel and Pearl Double Singing Bird Clock
Located in London, GB
This wonderful modern masterpiece has been created using original antique and vintage elements. The beautiful silver and guilloche enamel case dates to the early 20th century, the bo...
Gold, Silver, Enamel
Swiss Gold and Enamel Musical Vinaigrette
Located in New Orleans, LA
A musical movement distinguishes this wonderful early 19th-century gold vinaigrette box. The vessel is covered in delicate engraving highlighted by blue and white champlevé enamel de...
Metal
Large triple antique singing bird-in-cage, by Phallibois
Located in London, GB
Threes a crowd and a good sound... When wound and actuated by start/stop lever to side, the three birds take turns to sing passages of the sequential birdsong, moving beaks, heads a...
Brass
$22,173
H 13.78 in W 9.06 in D 4.73 in
Blaise Bontems Musical Automaton Singing birds and Clock under glass dome
Located in Leuven , BE
This 19th-century French automaton from the late 1800s showcases a delightful ensemble of features: three vibrant animated birds, a cascading waterfall, a tree surrounded by rocky ou...
Metal
Mandolin Singing Bird Automaton Music Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional singing bird cylinder music box is a wonder of Austrian mechanical ingenuity. Not only does it play a selection of classical airs with remarkable tone and clarity, b...
Satinwood
Gold and Tortoiseshell Singing Bird Box by Rochat
Located in London, GB
An exceptional early Frères Rochat singing bird box with fusee automaton movement, stamped with the rare three-tulip mark and numbered 127. This important example belongs to the earl...
Gold
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.
The French sculptor shaped dense blocks into tactile forms meant to be used and held.
After synthetic dyes changed fashion, home goods and printed matter, it was only a matter of time till glass caught up.
The brilliantly simple design turns a modest bouquet into a major statement.
The Greek tragedian is said to have been handsome in his day.
Even for those who don’t indulge, elegant smoking accessories and audacious art portraying cigar enthusiasts hold a nostalgic allure.
It’s an excellent example of the sought-after ceramics coming out of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
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.
The free-form stoneware piece is inspired by the magnolia tree and its associations with home.