Vintage Brass Inlay Burl Wood Traveling Writing Desk Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite Victorian-era traveling writing desk is a masterclass in 19th-century craftsmanship and portable luxury. The exterior is wrapped in a breathtaking burl wood veneer, sh...
Brass
Vintage Wood Inlay Writing Desk With Inkwells
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage wood writing desk box showcases intricate inlay work, with floral and geometric marquetry set against a rich, warm-toned wood grain and bordered by a contrasting dark ba...
Wood
Antique English Travel Box and Writing Slope with Exceptional Inlay, circa 1850
Located in New Orleans, LA
This is a marvelous travel box. The inlay is stunning.
Wood
Unusual Antique Victorian Quality Inlaid Coromandel Wood Writing Box
Located in Suffolk, GB
Unusual antique Victorian quality inlaid coromandel wood writing box having quality inlaid coromandel wood lift up tops opening to reveal a green leather writing surface opening to r...
Other
NAPOLEON III Paris 1860 Travel Foldable Writing Desk Box In Precious Woods & Aba
By Napoléon III
Located in Miami, FL
An antique Napoleon III traveler portable writing-desk box. This is a gorgeous portable writing desk-box, created in France during the period of emperor Napoleon III, circa 1860. Th...
Leather, Shell, Wood
Antique Rosewood Inlaid Writing Box by Hausburg
By F.L. Hausburg
Located in Northampton, GB
Heavily Inlaid with Mother of Pearl and Abalone From our Writing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this stunning Antique Inlaid Writing Box by Hausburg. The Writing Box of rec...
Shell, Wood, Satinwood
Japanese Meiji Gilt Lacquer Writing Desk & Poem Box
Located in Chicago, IL
Each item includes a paulownia (kiri) wood storage case. Additional Dimensions: Writing Desk: 25"W x 14.25"D x 5.25"H Poem Box: 3.75"W x 16"D x 2.25"H Writing Desk Case: 26.5"W x 1...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Inlaid Micro Mosaic Writing Box.
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful inlaid micro mosaic writing box. Missing parts, see photos. Bone Ebony Mosaic tiles probably.
Bone, Wood, Ebony
English Writing Slope Marquetry Box, 19th Century
Located in Woodbridge, CT
English, writing slope crossbanded and inlaid with satinwood, ebony, and other exotic woods fitted with original inks. Measures: 16.0″ L, 9.75″ W, 6.75″ H, circa 1850.
Wood
Vintage Boho Zig Zag Inlay Burl Wood Writing Desk Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extraordinary vintage Boho writing desk in a box. Chic Burl wood construction with gorgeous inlay detail.
Bone, Wood
Antique Writing Box with Mother of Pearl Inlay
Located in Houston, TX
This beautiful antique writing box is inlaid with mother of pearl. The interior has one glass inkwell, four compartments with removable tops and a large compartment to store writing ...
Wood, Velvet, Mother-of-Pearl
19th Century Mother of Pearl Inlay Writing Box
Located in Casteren, NL
19th century mother of pearl inlay writing box with black leather desk top, original key and several (secret) storage compartments. Originates England, dating circa 1880.
Wood, Mother-of-Pearl
19th Century Anglo Indian Writing Box with Bone Inlay
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1860s writing box in wood with elaborate bone inlay decoration.
Wood, Bone
Antique Victorian Writing Box Friedrich Ludwig Hausburg
By F.L. Hausburg
Located in Northampton, GB
With a Secret Compartment From our Writing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Victorian Mahogany Writing Box Attributed to Hausburg.
Brass
Antique English Mother of Pearl & Rosewood Writing Box Hausburg
By F.L. Hausburg
Located in Northampton, GB
Firmly Attributed to Hausburg From our Writing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Antique Victorian Writing Box attributed to Hausburg. The Writing Box of rectangular shap...
Pewter
Sold
H 6.5 in W 20.08 in D 10.44 in
Georgian Kingwood Writing Box by David Edwards with Secret Compartment
By David Edwards
Located in Northampton, GB
The Writing Box constructed from Mahogany in rectangular shape veneered in book matched quarter veneered Kingwood with brass edging and decorative brass stringing to the front and li...
Brass
Sold
H 6.11 in W 16.15 in D 10.04 in
Victorian Coromandel Inlaid Writing Box by Hausburg with Secret Compartment
By F.L. Hausburg
Located in Northampton, GB
When opened the Writing Box reveals a blue velvet writing slope with gold tooling faced in Coromandel with further matching inlays.
Brass
A late 15th century wood inlaid writing casket, Florence, Italy
Located in PARIS, FR
Florence, Italie Late 15th century Dimensions: h. 23 cm, w. 45cm, d. 29 cm Walnut with inlays of different types of stained native wood Rare writing box with intricate decoration of...
Walnut
Oversized Tunbridge Ware Writing Slope
Located in Northampton, GB
View of Bayham Abbey with Writing Implements From our Tunbridge Ware collection, we are delighted to offer this unusual and large-sized Tunbridge Ware Writing Slope, in the manner ...
Velvet, Wood
Sold
H 4.34 in W 14.97 in D 10.44 in
Antique Victorian Coromandel and Mother of Pearl Writing Slope by Richard Wathew
By Richard Wathew
Located in Northampton, GB
Mother of Pearl Inlay From our Writing Box collection, we are delighted to offer this Victorian Coromandel and Mother of Pearl Writing Slope by Richard Wathew.
Leather, Shell, Wood
C. 1860 English Inlaid Burl Wood Lap Desk Writing Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860 inlaid burl wood lap desk writing box, English. Extravagantly inlaid with silver, abalone & mother of pearl on ebony ground for the strapping, edges & central cartouche. S...
Silver
Victorian Coromandel Writing Box with Secret Compartment
Located in Northampton, GB
Dating to the Victorian Period Circa 1850 From our Writing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Victorian Coromandel Writing Box. The Writing Box of rectangular shape veneer...
Brass
Sold
H 5.52 in W 13.98 in D 9.26 in
Victorian Solid Rare Wood with Mother of Pearl Inlay Green Leather Writing Slope
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Victorian Redwood with mother of pearl inlay green leather topped writing slope A very good looking decorative and multi functional l...
Leather, Hardwood
Antique English Coromandel Writing Box by Fisher
By Fisher Brothers, Joseph Bramah
Located in Northampton, GB
Harlequin Pop Up Secret Compartment From our Writing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Antique Coromandel and Satinwood lined Writing Box by Fisher. The Writing Box of re...
Brass
Sold
H 3.1 in W 8.5 in D 5.4 in
Very Rare, 17th Century Spa Mother of Pearl Writing Box with Inlaid Brass Wire
Located in Lisse, NL
Incredible workmanship and highly collectible antique box, late 1600s. When it comes to collectible and high value boxes, this little gem from the 1680s is right up there with the r...
Brass, Copper
Sold
H 4.73 in W 14.18 in D 10.24 in
Antique Coromandel and Satinwood Writing Slope by Austin of Dublin
Located in Northampton, GB
Mother of Pearl Inlay From our Writing Box collection, we are delighted to offer this Victorian Coromandel and Satinwood Writing Slope by Austin of Dublin.
Brass
C. 1840 Large Scale English Writing Box on Custom Stand
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1840 large scale lap desk writing box on custom stand, English. Mahogany with the finest brass bindings and inlaid tracery with arrow and dart details, cartouche escutcheon and...
Brass
Sold
H 6 in W 15.75 in D 9.75 in
Antique Calamander Writing Box with Mother-of-Pearl, Abalone and Brass Inlays
Located in Northampton, United Kingdom
Antique writing box veneered in beautiful figured calamander with ornate, delicate engraved mother-of-pearl, Abalone and Brass inlays.
Brass
An 18th Century English Portable Writing Box
Located in New York, NY
A late 18th century English mahogany and burr yew wood portable writing box with brass carrying handles and interior fitment with original blue paper lining
Brass
Sold
H 15 in W 12 in D 10 in
19th Century M.O.P. Inlaid Indo-Portuguese Writing Desk or Jewelry Table Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Great quality, circa 1880. Missing a small piece of mother-of-pearl at the key hole.
Wood
Antique Early Victorian Jewellery Box with Tray, England, 1840
Located in High Peak, GB
P080 An elegant antique early Victorian rosewood sewing box or jewellery box with beautifully scroll inlaid front and hinged top which open to reveal newly relined interior with lift...
Wood
Antique English Regency Period Rosewood Inlaid Box, Circa 1820.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Regency Period Rosewood Inlaid Box, Circa 1820.
Rosewood
Sold|$1,085
H 2.37 in W 4.53 in D 3.15 in
French Thuya Burl Jewelry Box with Brass Inlay, Late 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Thuya Burl Jewelry Box with Brass Inlay, Late 19th Century A fine late 19th-century French jewelry box, circa 1880–1900, veneered in richly figured Thuya burl with decorative...
Brass
19th Century English Dresser Box With Tray
Located in High Point, NC
19th century marquetry dresser box from England. This box is wonderful and the craftsmanship is stunning. The box is made of satinwood, and has marquetry and inlay made from mahogan...
Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
$2,450
H 6.69 in W 17.91 in D 10.63 in
19th Century Victorian Writing Slope/ Travel Desk Box, Brass Bound, UK ca. 1815
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Impressive Victorian writing slope or travel desk - attributed to the famous company of Thompson - from the period around 1800 - 1815 in the United Kingdom. This fantastic Captain’s ...
Brass
$2,950
H 5.5 in W 15 in D 9.5 in
Regency Period Brass Inlaid and Bound Document Box with Lift Handles and Key
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Brass bound Regency period rosewood document box by Wells & Lambe with brass edges, geometric line inlay and flush mounted skeletal lift handles. The top with a monogramed rectangula...
Brass
$928Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.52 in W 9.06 in D 5.12 in
Antique Pokerwork Stationery Box, English Desktop Tidy, Arts & Crafts, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pokerwork stationery box. An English, beech and tulipwood desktop tidy in Arts & Crafts taste, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Charmingly hand f...
Beech
$1,836
H 47.5 in W 20 in D 10.75 in
Antique Regency Brass Inlaid Mahogany Traveling Desk Wooden Writing Slope Box
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An Exceptionally Fine Quality English Well Figured Rosewood Ladies or Gents English Georgian Travelling Writing Slope of outstanding quality and unusually large proportions, with lav...
Brass
Antique English Large Tunbridge Box With Marquetry Inlay
By Tunbridge Ware
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique English Tunbridge box with geometric inlay, hinged lid, red velvet interior, felted bottom and comes with working key. The box with a diamond form inlaid medallion flanked...
Velvet, Wood
19th Century English Regency Style Inlaid Box
Located in Tampa, FL
beautiful 19th century English Regency style trinket box, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. The box features intricate inlay work across the surface, highl...
Silk, Wood
Antique English Rosewood Inlaid Sewing Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Inlaid with floral sprays of engraved mother of pearl and brass From our Sewing Box collection, we are delighted to offer this William IV Rosewood Inlaid Sewing Box. The Sewing Box ...
Silver
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Box With Satinwood Inlay
Located in Stamford, CT
English Regency mahogany box with satinwood inlay. The four corners of the top are inlaid with lovely triangular scalloped decoration. All the border molding are also satinwood inlay...
Mahogany, Satinwood
$657
H 4.25 in W 16 in D 9.5 in
Antique French English Rosewood Brass Inlaid Boulle Writing Slope Box Desk 19thC
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An Exquisite Example of an Early Rosewood Travelling Writing Slope of fairly large proportions of Continental origin, possibly French. Circa first half of the Nineteenth Century prob...
Brass
Victorian English ship's desk or travel writing desk
Located in Valladolid, ES
Unique English ship's desk or travel writing desk, an original from the 19th century. Made of mahogany, with its characteristic reddish hue, with gilt brass fittings and ornaments. ...
Brass
Regency Rosewood Writing Box, English, Circa 1825, Brass Inlay
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A fine quality, charming 19th century Regency Italian late baroque period walnut 2-drawer table, late 17th/early 18th century period rosewood writing box having elegant brass inlaid ...
Rosewood
Antique Victorian burr walnut Tunbridgeware inlaid work box
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Victorian burr walnut Tunbridgeware inlaid work box, having a quality burr walnut Tunbridgeware inlaid box opening to reveal a fitted interior to the lid and a large compartm...
Walnut
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.