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19th Century English Tunbridge Ware Box
19th Century English Tunbridge Ware Box

19th Century English Tunbridge Ware Box

Located in Mt Kisco, NY

Made in the region of Tunbridge Wells in Kent. It was in the early part of the nineteenth century that Tunbridge Ware came into its own with the invention in 1820 of the tessellated ...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Boxes

Thomas Barton Exceptional Tunbridge Ware Wooden Box, 19th Century
Thomas Barton Exceptional Tunbridge Ware Wooden Box, 19th Century

Thomas Barton Exceptional Tunbridge Ware Wooden Box, 19th Century

By Tunbridge Ware

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

An exceptional and original antique wooden Tunbridge ware box, possibly for games, made by Thomas Barton (1819-1903).

Category

Antique 1860s English Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Hardwood

Victorian Tunbridge Ware Paper Lined Handkerchief Box
Victorian Tunbridge Ware Paper Lined Handkerchief Box

Victorian Tunbridge Ware Paper Lined Handkerchief Box

By Tunbridge Ware

Located in Bridgeport, CT

A Victorian Tunbridge ware inlaid box with hinged lid and later paper lining.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Paper

Regency Tunbridge Ware Work Box with Cubework c1820
Regency Tunbridge Ware Work Box with Cubework c1820

Regency Tunbridge Ware Work Box with Cubework c1820

By Tunbridge Ware

Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB

Heading : Regency Tunbridge ware work box with cubework Date : c1820 Period : Regency Origin : Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells, Kent Decoration : Central perspective cubework with s...

Category

Antique 1820s British Regency Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Tunbridge Ware Jewellery Box by Robert Vorley 2022
Tunbridge Ware Jewellery Box by Robert Vorley 2022

Tunbridge Ware Jewellery Box by Robert Vorley 2022

By Tunbridge Ware

Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB

Heading : Tunbridge ware jewellery box by Robert Vorley Date : 2022 Period : Elizabeth II Origin : Essex Decoration : The cover with asymetrically arranged red admiral (larger) and O...

Category

2010s British Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Wood

Tunbridge Ware Games Box with Cribbage Board by Childs c1860
Tunbridge Ware Games Box with Cribbage Board by Childs c1860

Tunbridge Ware Games Box with Cribbage Board by Childs c1860

By Tunbridge Ware

Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB

Heading : Tunbridge ware games box with cribbage board by Childs and Son Date : c1860 Period : Victoria Origin : Brighton, East Sussex Decoration : Central scrolled acanthus leaf...

Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy with Image of Tonbridge Castle c1880
Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy with Image of Tonbridge Castle c1880

Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy with Image of Tonbridge Castle c1880

By Tunbridge Ware

Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB

Heading : Tunbridge ware tea caddy with image of Tonbridge Castle by Thomas Burrows Date : c1880 Period : Victoria Origin : Tonbridge, Kent Decoration : Central image of Tonbridg...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

19th Century Tunbridge Ware Writing Box
19th Century Tunbridge Ware Writing Box

19th Century Tunbridge Ware Writing Box

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

19th Century tunbridge ware writing box, circa 1880. Victorian walnut desktop box which opens into a writing slope.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Tunbridge Ware Jewellery Box c1860
Tunbridge Ware Jewellery Box c1860

Tunbridge Ware Jewellery Box c1860

Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB

Heading : Tunbridge ware jewellery box Date : c1860 Period : Victoria Origin : Tunbridge Wells, Kent Decoration : Cushion lid with tesselated mosaic image of flowering roses within a...

Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Wood

Victorian Tunbridge Ware Inlaid Walnut Jewelry Box
Victorian Tunbridge Ware Inlaid Walnut Jewelry Box

Victorian Tunbridge Ware Inlaid Walnut Jewelry Box

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

Victorian Tunbridge ware inlaid walnut jewelry box.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Wood

Quality antique Victorian walnut tunbridge ware inlaid sewing box
Quality antique Victorian walnut tunbridge ware inlaid sewing box

Quality antique Victorian walnut tunbridge ware inlaid sewing box

Located in Ipswich, GB

Quality antique Victorian walnut tunbridge ware inlaid sewing box, having beautiful inlaid detail to the box with a lift up lid opening to reveal an interior tray above a storage com...

Category

Antique 19th Century Early Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Tunbridge Ware - A Writing Slope Box Depicting Battle Abbey Gatehouse, c1870
Tunbridge Ware - A Writing Slope Box Depicting Battle Abbey Gatehouse, c1870

Tunbridge Ware - A Writing Slope Box Depicting Battle Abbey Gatehouse, c1870

By Henry Hollamby

Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB

Tunbridge Ware - A Writing Slope Box Depicting Battle Abbey Gatehouse, c1870 Additional Information: Heading: Tunbridge Ware - A Writing Slope Depicting Battle Abbey Gatehouse Date...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

A Superb Tunbridge Ware Jewellery or Sewing Box Depicting Hever Castle, c1870
A Superb Tunbridge Ware Jewellery or Sewing Box Depicting Hever Castle, c1870

A Superb Tunbridge Ware Jewellery or Sewing Box Depicting Hever Castle, c1870

Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB

A Superb Tunbridge Ware Jewellery or Sewing Box Depicting Hever Castle, c1870 Additional Information: Heading: Tunbridge Ware workbox Date : c1870 Period : Victoria Origin : Tunbrid...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Satinwood

A Large Three Drawer Tunbridge Ware Jewellery Chest and Work Box, c1925
A Large Three Drawer Tunbridge Ware Jewellery Chest and Work Box, c1925

A Large Three Drawer Tunbridge Ware Jewellery Chest and Work Box, c1925

By Henry Hollamby

Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB

A Large Three Drawer Tunbridge Ware Jewellery Chest and Work Box, c1925 Additional Information: Heading: Tunbridge Ware - A Large Three Drawer Jewellery Chest and Work Box with Addi...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Paper

Geometric Tea Caddy
Geometric Tea Caddy

Geometric Tea Caddy

By Tunbridge Ware

Located in Northampton, GB

Tunbridge Wear Style From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Geometric inlaid Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of rectangular box form is veneered in exotic coromandel ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British High Victorian Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Georgian Antique Tea Caddy with Conch Decoration c1820
Georgian Antique Tea Caddy with Conch Decoration c1820

Georgian Antique Tea Caddy with Conch Decoration c1820

By Tunbridge Ware

Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB

Heading : Georgian antique tea caddy with conch decoration Date : c1800-1840 Period : George III – Victoria Origin : Engalnd Decoration : Magonony with inlaid conch design to cen...

Category

Antique 1820s British Regency Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Large Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Tunbridge Ware Inlay Writing Box
Large Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Tunbridge Ware Inlay Writing Box

Large Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Tunbridge Ware Inlay Writing Box

Located in Suffolk, GB

Large quality antique Victorian burr walnut Tunbridge Ware inlay writing box having a quality burr walnut and Tunbridge Ware inlay opening to reveal a leather writing slope with two ...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian More Desk Accessories

Materials

Walnut

A WW1 Set of Military Interest Playing Cards with Tunbridge Ware Card Box
A WW1 Set of Military Interest Playing Cards with Tunbridge Ware Card Box

A WW1 Set of Military Interest Playing Cards with Tunbridge Ware Card Box

Located in Reading, Berkshire

#5A A Vintage Set of WW1 Aviation & Naval Playing Cards with Wooden Marquetry Tunbridge Ware Card Box Decorated With The King of Diamonds In Tonbridge (near to Tunbridge Wells), Ge...

Category

Early 20th Century British Victorian Games

Materials

Paper, Wood

Tunbridge Ware Box
Tunbridge Ware Box

Tunbridge Ware Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

The interior of this sweet Tunbridge box is lined with silk. This Tunbridge ware box comes with a fully working lock and tasselled key.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Decorative Boxes

Tunbridge Ware Box
Tunbridge Ware Box

Tunbridge Ware Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Tunbridge Ware Box veneered in rosewood with micro mosaic geometric inlays in the top.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Boxes

Victorian 1850 Rosewood Mosaic Inlaid Tunbridge Ware Box
Victorian 1850 Rosewood Mosaic Inlaid Tunbridge Ware Box

Victorian 1850 Rosewood Mosaic Inlaid Tunbridge Ware Box

Located in Windsor, Berkshire

Victorian 1850 rosewood mosaic inlaid Tunbridge ware box, with a rosewood knob to the lid, a working lock and key and a relined interior.

Category

Antique 1850s English Decorative Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

Victorian 1890-1900 Inlaid Walnut Tunbridge Ware Box
Victorian 1890-1900 Inlaid Walnut Tunbridge Ware Box

Victorian 1890-1900 Inlaid Walnut Tunbridge Ware Box

Located in Windsor, Berkshire

A Victorian 1890-1900 inlaid walnut tunbridge ware box, it has its original silk and paper interior and a working lock and key, it’s in beautiful condition and measures 17 by 16 and ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Victorian circa 1840 Miniature Tunbridge Ware Box
Victorian circa 1840 Miniature Tunbridge Ware Box

Victorian circa 1840 Miniature Tunbridge Ware Box

Located in Windsor, Berkshire

The box sits on four ball feet and has a Tunbridge Ware panel to the centre.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Decorative Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

Victorian 1880 Inlaid Walnut Tunbridge Ware Box
Victorian 1880 Inlaid Walnut Tunbridge Ware Box

Victorian 1880 Inlaid Walnut Tunbridge Ware Box

Located in Windsor, Berkshire

Victorian 1880 inlaid walnut Tunbridge ware box. It is striking and one of a kind with hexagon inlaid MOP centre to the top and key escutcheon.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Early Tunbridge Ware Box
19th Century Early Tunbridge Ware Box

19th Century Early Tunbridge Ware Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Early Tunbridge Ware Work box with three inlaid prints depicting various scenes.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Regency More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Tulipwood, Yew

Antique Childs Miniature Tunbridge Ware Box, 19th Century
Antique Childs Miniature Tunbridge Ware Box, 19th Century

Antique Childs Miniature Tunbridge Ware Box, 19th Century

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Childs tunbridge box with floral pattern on the top. The lid of the child’s tunbridge ware box lifts off to reveal a collection of miniature sewing tools including a thimble, thread ...

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Decorative Boxes

Rosewood Tunbridge Ware Box
Rosewood Tunbridge Ware Box

Rosewood Tunbridge Ware Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Rosewood Tunbridge Ware work box with a view of Bayham Abbey.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Boxes

Tunbridge Ware Glove Box
Tunbridge Ware Glove Box

Tunbridge Ware Glove Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

The Interior of this Tunbridge Ware box is lined with sky blue paper.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Boxes

Tunbridge Ware Stationary Box
Tunbridge Ware Stationary Box

Tunbridge Ware Stationary Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Tunbridge Ware stationery box by Henry Hollamby Dome top tunbridge ware stationery box veneered in rosewood with a fantastic Tunbridge ware mosaic of a Falcon, typical of Henry H...

Category

Antique 19th Century British Boxes

Antique Mahogany Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box
Antique Mahogany Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Antique Mahogany Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Tunbridge ware sewing box veneered in mahogany with micro mosaic bands running around the box with triangle and diamond patterns on the top.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mahogany, Paper

Antique Tunbridge Ware Striped Box
Antique Tunbridge Ware Striped Box

Antique Tunbridge Ware Striped Box

Located in Dorchester, GB

9th Century Tunbridge Ware box. Rosewood and Satinwood stripe veneer box with hinged lid.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Aesthetic Movement Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique Flame Mahogany Tunbridge Ware Stationery Box
Antique Flame Mahogany Tunbridge Ware Stationery Box

Antique Flame Mahogany Tunbridge Ware Stationery Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

This tunbridge ware stationery box comes with a fully working lock and tasselled key.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian More Desk Accessories

Materials

Mahogany

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box
Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

The interior lid of this tunbridge sewing box has a tunbridge panel, the base has a removable tray fitted with several tunbridge ware spools.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Boxes

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box
Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

The interior lid of this tunbridge sewing box has a tunbridge panel, the base has a removable tray fitted with several tunbridge ware spools.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Boxes

Tunbridge Ware Card Box
Tunbridge Ware Card Box

Tunbridge Ware Card Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Tunbridge ware card box with mosaic bands running around the box with a topographical view on the top by George Wise senior.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Decorative Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

Tunbridge Ware Glove Box
Tunbridge Ware Glove Box

Tunbridge Ware Glove Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Tunbridge Ware Glove box veneered in coromandel having a perspective cube pattern top with geometric inlays around its base.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Boxes

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box
Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Charming Rosewood Tunbridge Ware Sewing box with inlaid perspective cubes on the top.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Boxes

Materials

Wood

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box
Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Tunbridge ware sewing box veneered in Masur birch with a view of Eridge Castle, with beautiful mosaic borders and turned stickware feet.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Decorative Boxes

Tunbridge Ware Glove Box
Tunbridge Ware Glove Box

Tunbridge Ware Glove Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Tunbridge Ware Glove Box veneered rosewood with inlaid micro mosaic bands with an abstract tessellated mosaic panel to the lid.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Boxes

Materials

Wood

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box
Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box depicting a oval print of "Selene" the Greek Goddess of the Moon riding upon her chariot with two stags pulling her on her way.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Boxes

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box
Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Tunbridge Ware sewing box possibly by George Wise, veneered in rosewood with striking inlaid tunbridge bands and abstract tessellated mosaic panel.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Boxes

Materials

Brass

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box
Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Early Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box with simulated painted Rosewood and print of Brighton's Royal Pavilion, has a fantastic shaped handle it to has a simulated painted rosewood veneer.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Boxes

Tunbridge Ware Glove Box
Tunbridge Ware Glove Box

Tunbridge Ware Glove Box

Located in London, GB

An early 19th century Tunbridge ware glove box; the lid veneered with perspective cube parquetry and the sides with Vandyke’s all executed in various specimen woods.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Decorative Boxes

Materials

Satinwood

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box
Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

A fabulous Tunbridge ware sewing box veneered in rosewood with a butterfly.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Decorative Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

Antique Tunbridge Ware Perfume Box
Antique Tunbridge Ware Perfume Box

Antique Tunbridge Ware Perfume Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Antique Tunbridge ware perfume box veneered with beautifully unusual vandyke decoration with a tessellated fleur-de-lys inlay.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware Glove Box
Antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware Glove Box

Antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware Glove Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Tunbridge ware glove box with a wonderfully detailed butterfly to the top, surrounded with a mosaic style border and floral band running around all sides.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Great Britain (UK) Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Miniature Early Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box
Miniature Early Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Miniature Early Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Early antique tunbridge sewing basket decorated with a naive painting of a house. The basket features a painted handle which is secured by turned bone hinges. The main lid has a matc...

Category

Antique 19th Century British George III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box, 19th Century
Antique Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box, 19th Century

Antique Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box, 19th Century

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Antique Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box veneered in mahogany with perspective cube diamond design on the top and stands on four turned stick ware wooden feet.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Eridge Castle Mahogany Tunbridge Ware Stationery Box
Eridge Castle Mahogany Tunbridge Ware Stationery Box

Eridge Castle Mahogany Tunbridge Ware Stationery Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Tunbridge ware stationery box with a view of Eridge Castle, veneered in mahogany with tunbridge floral borders.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mahogany

Victorian Rosewood Box with Tunbridge Ware Inlay
Victorian Rosewood Box with Tunbridge Ware Inlay

Victorian Rosewood Box with Tunbridge Ware Inlay

Located in Windsor, Berkshire

Victorian rosewood box with Tunbridge ware inlay. A beautiful box dating back to 1870 with inlaid tumbling block design of specimen woods to the top of the box and a mosaic floral bo...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Decorative Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

Battle Abbey Tunbridge Ware Jewellery Box
Battle Abbey Tunbridge Ware Jewellery Box

Battle Abbey Tunbridge Ware Jewellery Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Tunbridge Ware Jewellery Box with a view of Battle Abbey veneered in water stained maple surrounded by a floral tunbridge borders.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Velvet, Maple

Antique Sycamore Tunbridge Ware Cottage Sewing Box
Antique Sycamore Tunbridge Ware Cottage Sewing Box

Antique Sycamore Tunbridge Ware Cottage Sewing Box

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

Tunbridge ware cottage sewing box made of solid sycamore.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century British George III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Sycamore

Antique Tunbridge Ware Sycamore Glove Box, 19th Century
Antique Tunbridge Ware Sycamore Glove Box, 19th Century

Antique Tunbridge Ware Sycamore Glove Box, 19th Century

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

This fabulous antique Tunbridge ware glove box comes with a fully working lock and tasselled key.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Velvet, Wood, Sycamore

Tunbridge Ware Glove Box by Edmund Nye, 19th Century
Tunbridge Ware Glove Box by Edmund Nye, 19th Century

Tunbridge Ware Glove Box by Edmund Nye, 19th Century

Located in Northampton, United Kingdom

The interior is lined with red silk and contains a original pair of leather gloves. The underside of the box has a makers label which reads: Edmund Nye, Manufacturer, Mount Eph...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silk, Ash

Victorian 1845 Tunbridge Ware , Stickware and Mosaic Sewing Box
Victorian 1845 Tunbridge Ware , Stickware and Mosaic Sewing Box

Victorian 1845 Tunbridge Ware , Stickware and Mosaic Sewing Box

Located in Windsor, Berkshire

A Victorian 1845 Tunbridge Ware, stickware and mosaic sewing box, it has a red cushion top a working lock and key and its original interior.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Georgian Tunbridge Ware Wooden Desk
Georgian Tunbridge Ware Wooden Desk

Georgian Tunbridge Ware Wooden Desk

Located in New York, NY

High-quality Georgian tunbridge ware wooden desk with 2 inkwells, letter holder, and stationery/envelope box, English, circa 1830 with original key *Not available for sale or to ...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Boxes

Materials

Wood

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Tunbridge Ware Box For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal tunbridge ware box for your home. A tunbridge ware box — often made from wood, hardwood and walnut — can elevate any home. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect tunbridge ware box — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A tunbridge ware box, designed in the Victorian, Georgian or Regency style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. You’ll likely find more than one tunbridge ware box that is appealing in its simplicity, but Edmund Nye Tunbridge Wells and Tunbridge Ware produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Tunbridge Ware Box?

Prices for a tunbridge ware box start at $150 and top out at $19,209 with the average selling for $878.

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.

Questions About Tunbridge Ware Box
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
    To identify Tunbridge ware, first examine photographs shared on trusted online resources so you can become familiar with what these decorative furnishings and housewares look like. While there have been many styles, Tunbridge ware usually shows off decorative mosaics created by gluing together pieces of wood in thin layers. The result is very distinct, so you may be able to recognize it based on sight alone.

    You can also search your piece for a maker's mark or label and then research the artisan or company that produced it to see if it is known for Tunbridge ware. One very well-known maker was Thomas Barton, who typically added a “T. Barton” label to his works. To get an expert opinion on your piece, have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer inspect it.

    Explore a diverse assortment of Tunbridge ware on 1stDibs.