Modern Boxes
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Set/5 Ceramic Pots, White, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Hailey & Henry Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes two waterproof ceramic vases and three pots, perfect ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Set/2 Pots, Ceramic Pots, Green, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Chaucer Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes two waterproof ceramic pots with lid, perfect to be displayed together and enrich your room decor.
Each piece has its own elegant silhouette in mint-green glazed ceramic with gloss finish plus hand turned beech wood base and lid lacquered in bronze gold-powder.
Set of 2 Ceramic Pots Chaucer...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold Leaf, Brass
Hand-made Ceramic Jackal Novelty Box, made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Jackal Novelty Box by Senzo Duma Ceramic Arts. Hand sculpted by Lefu Thebe and hand painted by Sindi in South Africa. Measuring 3 inches high 3 inches in length and 3 inches in width.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Samples Vienna Chair
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Samples of wood for chairs.
Included in the envelope
- 1 piece beech wood natural finishing
- 1 piece Cane, straw
- 1 piece Beech wood stained Canaletto walnut
- 1 piece Colé I...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Set of Two Travertine Marble & Resin Stack Sphere Sculptures by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Our stack sphere sculptures can be used as a decorative element on a coffee table, bookshelf, console etc. Their warm hue and curved lines add the right amount of visual interest without overwhelming additional decor. The mix of marble and resin make an incredible combo, a mix that is modern, fun and harmonious. You can place the small sphere on top of the big one or you can separate them and create a new piece.
They are sold by set of two in different sizes.
Material: travertine marble and traslucid brown with marbled brown resin
Measurements:
Small: Travertine sphere...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Boxes
Materials
Travertine
Set/5 Vases, Ceramic Vases, White, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Steele & Hardy Vases, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes five waterproof ceramic vases, perfect to be display...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Black Lacquered Cutout "Piano Finish" Box Paved Interior
By dlsc
Located in New York, NY
The "black lacquered cutout box"
This is hand made with sections that are attached by hand. The inner lip is molded to the shape. Then filler is used t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Crystal
Brass Vessels (set of 3)
Located in Paonia, CO
The (wh)ORE HAüS STUDIOS small goods collection was made for those that wanted to experience the (wh)ORE HAüS brand without committing to our larger pieces. Our Brass Vessels are mad...
Category
2010s American Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Brass Vessel Set w/ Brass box
Located in Paonia, CO
The (wh)ORE HAüS STUDIOS small goods collection was made for those that wanted to experience the (wh)ORE HAüS brand without committing to our larger pieces. Our Brass Vessel Set with...
Category
2010s American Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Agresti Il Bauletto Jewelry Box in Briar and Mahogany
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry box in briar and mahogany, matte finish, ultra suede lining. 24-karat gold plated brass accessories. With removable tray and necklace bar.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Suede, Mahogany
Watch Box in Brown for Five Watches Il Collezionista by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Box for 5 watches, lined in protective ultra-suede. Hinge in ruthenium. Available in mahogany or polished ebony.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Ultrasuede, Wood
Ghidini 1961 Small Knotted Cherry Box in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Small box available in brass and rose gold finishes.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Set/5 Ceramic Pots, White & Grey, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Graham pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes three waterproof ceramic pots with lid, perfect to be displ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Mappin & Webb English Modern Sterling Silver Box, 1965
Located in New York, NY
Elizabeth II sterling silver box. Made by Mappin & Webb in Birmingham in 1965. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with flat top and scalloped tab. Interior cedar-lined and...
Category
1960s British Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Set of 2 Porcelain Shu Pots with Lid, Green White, Handmolded & Handpainted
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/2 Shu Porcelain Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection by Legend of Asia.
Real chinese porcelain waterproof pots with lids in white and green, produced by hand with traditional methods...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Tronador Square Blue Onyx Stone Box
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Boxes
Materials
Stone, Onyx
Set/2 Porcelain Vases, Tang Vases, White, Handmolded & Hand Decorated
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/2 Tang Porcelain Vases, Lusitanus Home Collection by Lusitanus Home.
Real chinese porcelain vase produced by hand with traditional methods. Waterproof. The nacre finish makes ea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Set/2 Pineapple Ceramic Pots, White, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pineapple Decorative Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes two wa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold
Set/2 Wooden Boxes, Beige, Gold Leaf, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Dandara Boxes, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
Dandara box set includes two wooden boxes, perfect to be displayed together and enrich ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf, Metal
Set/2 Porcelain Vase & Pot, White, Handmolded & Hand Decorated
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/Tang Porcelain vase and Sunce pot with lid, Lusitanus Home Collection by Lusitanus Home.
Real chinese porcelain waterproof vase and port with li...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Set/8 Ceramic Jars & Pots, White & Pink, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/8 Ceramic Jars & Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes five ceramic jars and three ceramic pots, both ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Set/5 Jars & Pots, White & Mint Green, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/5 Ceramic Jars & Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes three waterproof ceramic jars and two ceramic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold Leaf
Tronador Rectangular Cream Onyx Stone Box
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Boxes
Materials
Onyx, Stone
Pair of Lacquered Wood Boxes, China, 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of Lacquered wood boxes, China, 20th century"
6 cups each inside, perfect condition.
Category
20th Century Chinese Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Vintage Porcelain Capodimonte Trinket Box with Flower Detail
By Capodimonte
Located in East Quogue, NY
Exquisite vintage white Capodimonte square porcelain trinket box with floral detail lid. Simple and elegant, the box lid is adorned with sculpted white flowers with painted 24k Gold ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Burl Walnut Mahogany Handmade Jewelry Casket Box by Manning of Ireland Irish New
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning Burl Walnut Casket was manufactured by the famed Manning Co. of Ireland and is truly a jewel of handcrafted genius. This box is constructed of the finest woods available a...
Category
Early 2000s Irish Modern Boxes
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Hand Made Abstract Sculptural Glazed Ceramic Box. Fitted Lid
Located in Miami, FL
Hand Built Abstract Sculptural Glazed Ceramic Box. Fitted Lid
Offered for sale is a handmade abstract form ceramic box that is signed and dated by Rexx Fischer. The box is both func...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Beige Resin Terrazo Bathroom Set by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Terrazzo bathroom set handcrafted in resin and marble. This unique mix of materials creates trendy pieces that will add visual interest to your bath space, and the minimalist design brings modern touch to any space. This set includes everything you need to upgrade the look and feel of your bathroom, helping you maintain a clean and organized space.
Light colors provide a clean look that mixes easily with existing decor.
The set can be customized, please contact us for further information.
Set includes:
1 Round toothbrush holder
1 Round Liquid soap dispenser...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble
Rosewood Mahogany Ladys Handmade Jewelry Casket Box by Manning Ireland Irish New
Located in Dublin, Ireland
This well figured Rosewood jewellery casket was manufactured by the famed manning of Ireland company and is truly a jewel of handcrafted genius. This box is constructed of the finest...
Category
Early 2000s Irish Modern Boxes
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Burl Walnut Mahogany Handmade Jewelry Casket Box by Manning of Ireland Irish New
Located in Dublin, Ireland
This walnut jewellery casket was manufactured by the famed manning of Ireland company and is truly a jewel of handcrafted genius. This box is constructed of the finest woods availabl...
Category
Early 2000s Irish Modern Boxes
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Vavona Burl Wood Handmade Irish Lady's Jewelry Casket Box by Manning Ireland New
Located in Dublin, Ireland
This Vavona Wooden Jewelry Casket was manufactured by the Famed Manning of Ireland Company and is truly a Jewel of handcrafted genius. This box is constructed of the finest woods ava...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Irish Modern Boxes
Materials
Walnut, Burl
English Modern Sterling Silver Box, 1938
By W.H. Manton Ltd. 1
Located in New York, NY
George VI sterling silver box. Made by WH Manton in Birmingham in 1938. Rectangular with curved corners. Cover hinged with gently curved top and tapering tab. Cedar-lined and partiti...
Category
1930s British Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Set/2 Boxes, Aged Silver, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Madagáscar Boxes, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
Madagáscar box set includes two wooden boxes, perfect to be displayed together and e...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
1990s Modern Design Silver Plated French Jewelry Box by Christofle
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A stylish three-level round silver-plated box, designed by KT Studio for Christofle in 1998 with input from Thomas Keller and Adam Tihany, is a remarkable piece of modernist craftsma...
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
Agresti Il Mio Tempo Chest for 28 Watches
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Lockable chest for 28 watches on holders and laying down. Available in briar or polished ebony.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Agresti Cassette Del Tempo Chest for 9 Watches
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Chest for 9 watches. Available in elm briar or polished ebony.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Agresti Oro Jewelry Chest
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Lockable jewelry chest with 5 drawers, two pullout / pull-out necklace bars, and lined in ultra-suede. Accessories in 24 karats gold plated brass...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Contemporary Bronze Ashtray, LINES by Reda Amalou, 2015
Located in Paris, FR
The solid bronze ashtray is designed with a patterned removable top. The motif used here, a repetition of lines and voids, has been developed by Reda Amalou and is used in several pieces of the Reda Amalou Collection.
The Bronze ashtray is 135 x 135 x 65mm H
This design exists also in a tiny incense...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Watch Box for Nine Watches in Briar with Leather Detail by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Elm briar and striped mahogany for your collectable watches. Leather handles. Briar box for nine watches.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Wonderful French Lalique Coppelia Crystal Rose Garland Brass Dresser Jewelry Box
By Lalique
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Lalique Coppelia Frosted Crystal With Roses & Garland And A Brass Housing Dresser / Jewelry Box
Category
20th Century French Modern Boxes
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Set Porteño Black & Cream Hand Painted Wood Boxes
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
8 " x 6" x 4"
12" x 8" x 4"
14" x 10" x 4"
The urban and cosmopolitan Porteño family carries the spirit of the ones born in Buenos Aires city or “Porteño”, as they are commonly know...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Modern Italian Carpathian Burl Wood Humidor with Tasseled Key
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Modern Italian Carpathian Burl Wood Humidor with Tasseled Key
Italy, late 20th century
A stunning modern Italian Carpathian burl wood humidor is a testament to late 20th-century cr...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal, Brass
Cartier American Modern Sterling Silver Box
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver box, ca 1920. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with curved top and overhanging rim. Interior cedar lined. Fully m...
Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Contemporary Shagreen Humidifier Box
Located in Miami, FL
An Art Deco Humidifier Wood Box covered in a Brownish tinted color Shagreen.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Boxes
Materials
Shagreen, Wood
1980s Modernist Silver Plated Italian Round Box
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A silver plated and brass round box designed and manufactured in Italy in the Eighties. It's il very good condition overall, on the lid, inside a brass frame there is an abstract met...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
Egidio Broggi Milano, Oversized Silver Plate Swirled Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fantastic silverplate-lidded decorative box created by Italian designer Egidio Broggi, Milano. This impressive box features an oversized round shape with a swirled design like a gi...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal, Silver Plate
Mid Century Decorative Carved Valuables Box
Located in Incline Village, NV
Resting on four paw feet and opening via two rear butterfly hinges, this attractive carved box is featured on top with an oval highly carved applique cartouche, monogrammed with the ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
1980s Plexiglass and Vienna Straw Rectangular Box in the manner of Dior Home
By Dior Home
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A lovely rectangular box manufactured in Italy in the manner of Dior home, it's in good conditions overall. The 1980s Italian Box is a striking and distinctive piece that embodies th...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
1980s Tavola Oggetti Rectangular Marble Jewelry Box
By Oggetti
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a vintage, sleek, pair of polished stone bookends, circa the 1970s. This set is constructed of solid, heavy-weight marble and skillfully hand-cut and ha...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble
Two Garouste and Bonetti Bronze Boxes for the Collection of Herbert Blome 2001
Located in Milan, IT
Two Garouste and Bonetti Bronze Boxes for the Collection of Herbert Blome 2001
Both are fully signed
Category
Early 2000s French Modern Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Luggage Suitcase Pill Box
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Charming, vintage pill box by Tiffany & Co. Rare and out of production miniature box in the shape of a suitcase. One side bears tags that say TOKYO,...
Category
1950s Philippine Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Large Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Onyx Black W/24 Karat Gold Flecks
Located in New York, NY
This stunning modernist decorative box was realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It features a vo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Murano Glass
Bitossi Italian Piume Feather Bird Box
By Bitossi
Located in Indianapolis, IN
A box in the Piume pattern produced by Bitossi. Made in Italy, this box is in the shape of a bird with a rainbow feather design throughout. The lower part of the box is teardrop-shap...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Modernist Hand-Blown Amber Murano Glass Box with Brass Fittings
Located in New York, NY
This warm and elegant Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Box in Amber W/ Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. A sleek and minimal piece with incredible hues a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Gabriella Crespi Small Brass Container Box, Italy 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Gabriella Crespi Small Brass Container Box.
Italy 1970s
Carries the Initials E.L.
Signed at the base Gabriella Crespi.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Box in Lavender with Nickel Fittings
Located in New York, NY
This sleek and highly elegant Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Box in Lavender with Nickel Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. This particular box has transparen...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Nickel
Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Spotted Jet Black & Clear Glass Box w/ Brass Fitting
Located in New York, NY
This chic and sophisticated Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Box in Spotted Jet Black & Clear Glass W/Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. Features a rectil...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Modern boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, case pieces and storage cabinets, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original boxes, popular names associated with this style include Agresti, AIREDELSUR, Lusitanus Home, and Greenapple. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $27 and tops out at $299,000 while the average work can sell for $1,145.
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