Boxes

This is a small antique seamstress' button box. A Japanese, brass decorative tin, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Delicately crafted bo...

Boulle Style Front From our Tea Caddy collection, we are thrilled to offer this Regency Tortoiseshell Tea Chest. The Tea Chest of sarcophagus shape with a gently tapering body and a...

A Swedish dowry box presented to the bride by her parents on the occasion of her marriage, decorated with homemade pigments in traditional folk-art patterns in faded grey blues and s...

This charming musical jewelry and sewing box is a work of sublime artistry. Almost certainly German or Austrian in origin and crafted of deep, ebonized...

The Malcolm Appleby Shooting Companion is a breathtaking collaboration with master engraver, Dr Malcolm Appleby MBE. A striking pairing of Britain's Cr...

An 1894 antique Edward Souter Barnsley & Co. sterling silver and tortoiseshell powder box decorated with a silver laurel leaf and bow inset to...

This Exquisite Decorative Russian Enamel Silver Egg Box is a captivating piece. Adorned with intricate floral patterns in soft pastels, it exudes elegance and charm. The egg is craft...

Hallmarked in London in 1922 by Wright & Davies, this George V period, Antique Sterling Silver Snuff Box, is rectangular in shape, and features engine turned decoration to the outsid...

Beautiful and Minimalist trinket box. This rare beauty is a unique trinket box or decorative box that brings minimal shape with organic beauty. Constructed of Thuya wood that has bee...

Antique 18th Century French three-colour gold snuff box, of oval shape. The hinged lid is adorned with an engraved foliate motif, featuring a quiver and flaming torch. The box is bor...

PRESENTING A GORGEOUS 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Sadeli Mosaic Sarcophagus Sewing Box. Made in Bombay, India circa 1860-80. Box made of sandalwood with highly carved teak wood reliefs and panels on all sides. Edged with bone and ebony veneers and glorious sadeli mosaic, made from tiny pieces of faux ivory, pewter, green semi-precious stone. The box is in a sarcophagus form with domed lid. The original brass carry handles are on the sides. The interior is in great condition and consists of a removeable mirror under the lid portion, with the original red velvet lining behind it. The base is removeable and contains a number of lidded compartments. 6 of the interior lids on the base, are each inlaid with sadeli mosaic banding. The rest are also carved and chased. The interior is fully complete with 7 lidded faux ivory/bone, thread canisters with sadeli domes and the original bone thimble. The box sits on 4 brass ball or bun feet with the original velvet lining on the base. Some minor repairs and losses, but this box is fully complete. This is ‘rare’ as many of these boxes have not survived in such condition! Included in the sale are 2 photos that were in the box (under the base tray). Interestingly, one of them is a view of downtown Nassau, New Providence (Bermuda) from the early 20C and stamped on the rear. What a ‘journey’ this piece has made! Made in India … travelled to Bermuda, probably via Britain … back to Ireland (where we bought it) …. then to Texas! These boxes were made by superb Indian craftsmen, specifically for sale to the ruling British elite. These types of boxes, carved padouk and sandalwood, (whilst beautiful and superbly crafted) were of a lesser quality, than the more profusely and intricately mosaic inlay, tortoiseshell and ivory boxes, made for the British ‘Upper Classes’ in the areas of Bombay and Vizagapatam. These type of boxes were much more affordable back in 1880 (and indeed today) and would probably have been bought by mid-level diplomats, civil servants or visitors. Sewing boxes (in general), were in EVERY Victorian home in Britain in the 19th Century and like other boxes etc were ‘status symbols’ of your place in society! The more ornate the box, the more ‘Upper Class’ you were! Of it’s type, this one, is one of the very higher quality one’s, than the norm! SADELI MOSAIC: “Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins. The ancient art of Sadeli Mosaic is said to have been introduced from Shiraz in Persia via Sind to Bombay, a long time before the Anglo Indian boxes were made. It was a technique, which required a high degree of skill and patience. It was executed very lavishly, in that the frequent cuts wasted a great amount of the precious materials used. The workmanship was however more than commensurable to the value of the materials. Ivory, silver, pewter (or other metals), wood and horn were cut into faceted rods which were bound together to form geometric patterns. When the glue has set, the rods were sliced in transverse sections. This gave the maker a number of angled circular pieces in the original pattern. Several variations of patterns could be achieved by combining the materials in different ways. The ivory was sometimes dyed green to give an extra color. The mosaic pieces in a combination of patterns, often separated by ivory, ebony, horn or silver stringing were used to veneer sandalwood boxes. In the early boxes, which date from the turn of the 18th to the 19th century, there are large panels of mosaic covering tops and sides of boxes. It took incredible skill to cover such large areas without any shakes or wavering of the pattern. The corners and joins on these boxes are impeccably matched. The makers (reputed to be Persian) of Sadeli mosaic made in the first two decades of the 19th century displayed a total understanding of the qualities of the different materials they used. They combined substances, which can expand and contract according to atmospheric conditions with others, which are hard and unyielding. The result was a sharp definition of the lines and patterns, which made up the whole design. On the early boxes the designs look deceptively simple. The fact is, they emerged from a culture, which had mastered geometry and understood how to generate a pattern from a set number of points. The patterns are so harmoniously combined that their incredible complexity is not immediately apparent. The earliest Sadeli boxes...

Square box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè also on the sides. In the center, a beautiful hand painted tempera miniature on a vegetable ivory plate depicting the portrait of a 19th century lady, signed by the painter Anna Maria Manfriani. Dimensions cm. 12 x 12 x 2.5. Weight gr. 618. Designed by Franco Salimbeni in 1976 and manufactured in Florence in some specimens with various subjects and different colors, in the headquarters of the Salimbeni Company with completely manual execution by artisan artists with thick slab and large reinforcements suitable for withstanding numerous enamelled firings at about 800° C. Miniature is a very ancient technique which consists of painting works in small proportions. It was born for the decoration of the first letter of the paragraph of the books. Over the years, however, this technique is refined and enriched, then moving on to precious personal items. Hand painted miniatures can be done with multiple different techniques. The most important that we use on our articles are of three kinds: 1) Fire enamel. 2) Water tempera on an ivory plate. 3) Painted on mother-of-pearl. Fire enameled miniatures: On a first layer of enamel generally white or very clear or even transparent suitably liquefied at a temperature of about 750 ° C, the chosen subject is painted using miniature colors which are as many colored crystals, ground and reduced to a very fine, almost impalpable powder washed and purified in distilled water with the addition of small quantities of deoxidizing acids which, diluted with essential oils (usually essential oil of solder), can be mixed to form a palette of colors. With very fine sable hair brushes you draw the subject starting from the perimeter and then gradually adding various layers of color. It is necessary to carry out various firings very often so that the colors harden and are not absorbed by the underlying glaze as, during the subsequent firings at 750 ° C, during liquefaction, it would spread irremediably. Hence the need to form the painting a little at a time, cooking it numerous times. Therefore it is necessary to proceed with numerous retouching, often overlapping different colors that only the painter's experience knows. A beautiful miniature needs from 20 to over 50 firings and is finished when the painter deems he does not have to further intervene. Some colors must have darker tones than others because then, by superimposing the transparent enamel placed at the end of the miniature, they fade. This transparent layer, called “fondant” in jargon, must be smoothed and polished like all other translucent enamel colors. The miniatures with water tempera colors are painted on real ivory...

An antique black lacquer document box with an exquisitely detailed, finely wrought design from The Tale of the Genji depicted in gold maki e across the lid. Internally, the box is de...

Micro Mosaic Persian Islamic Moorish Inlaid Jewelry Pen Box. 1950s Middle Eastern Moorish Inlaid Jewelry Trinket Mosaic Box. Handcrafted mar...

A fine quality and handsome George IV/Regency inlaid rosewood dressing box, with the original sterling silver and glass fitted contents, London, 1824. The box having a lift-up hinged lid, finely inlaid with brass and bone marquetry of floral garlands & swags, the front having twin locking doors with corresponding inlay. Both the top, base and door panels have 'Dutch Ripple' molding and at each corner a hand-turned 'Barley Twist' column, both to the front and rear. The interior of the box also having inlaid satinwood stringing and three fitted compartments each with an etched crystal container...

George III Circa 1785 From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Rare Original Hand-Painted Sycamore Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of Octagonal form veneered in Sycamo...

Dimensions: Height: 4 1/4in Width: 4 3/4in Depth: 3 3/4in This antique 19th century Royal Vienna jewelry casket is made of the highest quality! Made in the 1890's, this petite jewe...

Antique mid-19th Century French 18k gold mounted perfume bottle, lozenge shaped glass body set with a gold collar and hinged lid engraved with engine turning and scrolling foliage. A...

A very beautiful and rare pink and black rhodonite quartz jewelry box with bronze frame and a midnight blue velvet interior, circa early-20th centur...

Italian Mid-Century Acrylic Faux Tortoise and Brass Decorative Box, 1970s Gorgeous Italian crafted jewelry box made of acrylic with brass details. Can be used as a jewelry box as we...

Good early 19th Century Norwegian folk painted bentwood pantry box with orange ground, decorated with stylized flowers and retaining original paint in pleasing dry surface.

Fine 17th century geometric marquetry inlaid rosewood casket with strapwork hinges, pewter string inlay around ebony and fruitwood panels, the lower portion with long drawer on side,...

Gorgeous Large 19th Century Crystal Box with Blue Enamel Decoration and gilt fittings. Box is raised on paw feet and come with a key. Gilt fittings show signs of oxidation that can e...

A beautiful lidded bronze box with amazing patina. Art Deco / Swedish Grace. Made by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sweden, 1930s. Good condition, but with scratches and wear to the ...

Gucci Lipstick Vault Box Beveled mirror 19.5 w x 9.5 d x 2.5 h Box only. Worn used preowned vintage condition Refer to images

Designed and studio-made by American designer and craftsman James Bearden, this pedestal style box offers a unique blend of extraordinary hand-made quality and striking brutalist vis...

Add a touch of Regency-era refinement to your decor with this stunning Vintage Plated Biscuit Box. Beautifully crafted with ornate neoclassical column detailing and a ribbed domed li...

A very pretty oval-shaped jewellery box in gilt bronze, with an exquisite central miniature of a young man serenading two young ladies with a lute. This Louis XVI style box is stunni...

Daum Nancy bonbonnière "Pansies" circa 1898 A "Pansies" Opalescent glass bonbonniere with a hand-painted polychromatic enameled decor gold highlighted on an acid frosted background D...

A unique Danish solid teak wall hanging roll top trinket box, and memo pad with cork circa 1970's, versatile rare, and unique perfect for mid century, danish modern home decor.

A gorgeous Kifu Paris decorative box in creme shagreen over a rich walnut base, exuding elegance and craftsmanship. The lid features an expertly crafted celestial motif, incorporatin...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V sterling silver and erotica enamel cigarette case; an addition to our diverse range of continental silverware This exceptional antique George V sterling silver and enamel cigarette case has a plain square form with rounded corners. The anterior and posterior covers of this antique silver case are plain and unembellished. This case is fitted with a plain rounded push fit catch, which when released reveals a concealed secondary cover. This hinged push fit cover is ornamented with an impressive erotica hot enamel scene depicting a female figure, partially undressed and bathing. This concealed cover opens to allow access to the hinged compartments. This impressive example of antique silverware retains the original gilt interior. Such concealed antique cases are becoming increasingly difficult to locate. Condition This antique cigarette...

Very rare and hard to find in this complete condition with as many pieces (over 35), this "Gentleman's Necessaire", or campaign "Dressing Table Box" is English and circa 1795 as per the style, and confirmed by the 18th century silver marks on items enclosed. Campaign furniture, and accessories were made to tend to the day to day needs of those traveling, most often for the upper class, the military, and those in high socioeconomic standing. A very similar Campaign box belonging to the Duke of Wellington and now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, appears on page 141 (illustration #157 of "British Campaign Furniture" published in 2001 by Nicholas A. Brawer; the leading recognized historian on the subject. The furniture and accessories were designed to be easily unpacked and packed back up again, condensed and compact for minimum storage, and still fulfill luxury "needs" for the well to do. The flush inserted brass handles on this box were designed to minimize protrusions for easier transport when traveling. The necessaire contains a plethora of instruments, utensils, storage bottles, boxes, to contain pills, medicine, potions, soap, shaving needs, snuff, beverages, spirits, tea, coffee, fragrance, incense, toothpaste, ink, and anything else necessary or wanted to maintain appearance and the "Beau Brummell" type lifestyle desired by the aristocratic gentleman. These items were housed in; screw top miniature bone canisters, fine cut glass crystal vessels with silver and silver plated tops, multiple miniature vertical wooden pocket drawers, a carved wooden lidded soap dish; all "fitted" in a beautiful brass bound and hinged mahogany box. The dressing box is neatly divided into various sections to store these implements. The center front bottom drawer is independently accessed and opened by a key lock and likely utilized for personal effects, jewelry, money, and letter writing, and diary entries.; note the fitted interior, design, "cubbies", and sections (see image). NOTE: It would be advisable to NOT use the key to lock this drawer just in case it stays locked and does not reverse, thereby creating difficulty reopening the drawer. The box maintains it's original surface and there are no restorations to any of the wood or brass mounts. A non discernible script monogram on a brass plate adorns the top (see image). Worth noting is the copious provenance accompanying this piece; the original description tag from the British antiques dealer; the "condfdential" letter by purchaser to recipient "Horace" reviewing the Dressing Box attributes and description; and finally, the Customs form for entry into the United States with Santa Barbara it's ultimate destination and a valuation of 3 pounds; less than ten dollars at that time---- 1950!!!!! (see images). Dimensions: 11" wide  x 8 3/4" deep  x 5 1/2" high Contents: implements in red bag sewing hook with shell handle second smaller sewing hook with built in swivel tool to bone handle large metal tweezers rectangular bone device with center hole small hook with bone handle silver plate corkscrew...

Chinese Export 19th Century Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Sewing Box

A handsome and very stylish biscuit box dating to circa 1890 by the top notch silversmith, John Grinsell & Sons of Sheffield. Made from solid English oak, the box is fitted with e...

Beautiful Helvetic French Napoleon III period animated Singing Bird Brass wire cage dome with a repousse filigree decorated brass base has two birds in the cage which alternate singi...

Polished ebony men’s box, removable tray.

Fernande Kohler Large 20th century decorative or jewelry ceramic box Signed by Fernande Kohler - Vallauris Realised circa 1950 Original perfect condition Height 17 cm Longer 30 ...

This extremely rare, early Swiss automaton singing bird box by the famed Charles Bruguier is housed in a case enveloped in luxurious tortoiseshell. Ev...

A stunning and rare Edwardian triple postage stamp box made from solid English sterling silver fully hallmarked for London 1909 together with the makers mark for the top notch silver...

Wrapped in a light shade of leather, the metal stud decoration stands out on a trunk raised on gothic arched wooden supports. It will look wonderful on a sofa table as a hiding spot ...

Experience the timeless allure of our Old English Sheffield silver plate art deco style tea caddy, adorned with captivating lion head side handles and an attached cover. This extra...

Majolica ostrich tureen or box circa 1950 signed Caugant.   

A scintillating Sapphic scene adorns the cover of this rare erotic snuff box. Set into the top of this burlwood and tortoiseshell container, this high...

This is an antique travelling jewellery salesman's box. An English, mahogany and cedar secure carry case, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Delightfully appointed traveller's box with useful storage Displays a desirable aged patina and in good order Select stocks show fine grain interest throughout Rich russet hues beam beneath a wax polish finish Shallow lid dressed with a brass handle and held securely with a pair of rotary hooks Inset diamond to fascia hosts a working lock — key present Interior replete with a segmented storage tray, two compartments dressed with small bone...

This is an antique travelling jewellery box. A Chinese, lacquered pine campaign case, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Delightful example of red lacquered craftsmans...

A gorgeous Arts and Crafts or Art Deco period wood lined brass humidor cigar box By Bradley & Hubbard USA, Circa 1910 Measures: 3.75"W x 3.75"D x 6.75"H. Good original vintage co...

Chippendale tea caddy, c1770, burl veneered mahogany paneled front and sides with cross banded border raised on original ball and claw cast brass...

A rare stone chest shaped like a book, crafted circa 1840-1870 Made of solid carved Swedish limestone (Öland) with a top nobb in alabaster. The cra...

Rounded square pill box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with white fired enamel, above and below, with hand painted horse head. Dimensions cm. 5.2 x 5.2 x 2.3. Weight gr. 117. Designed by Franco Salimbeni in 1966 on the inspiration of previous artefacts made in the English Art Nouveau style of the early 1900s and manufactured in the Salimbeni company headquarters in Florence in numerous specimens also with different subjects, with completely manual execution by artisan artists with a slab of high thickness suitable for supporting numerous enamelled firings at around 800°C. Miniature is a very ancient technique which consists of painting works in small proportions. It was born for the decoration of the first letter of the paragraph of the books. Over the years, however, this technique is refined and enriched, then moving on to precious personal items. Hand-painted miniatures can be done with multiple different techniques. The most important that we use on our articles are of three kinds: 1) Fire enamel. 2) Water tempera on an ivory plate. 3) Painted on mother-of-pearl. Fire enameled miniatures: On a first layer of enamel generally white or very clear or even transparent suitably liquefied at a temperature of about 750 ° C, the chosen subject is painted using miniature colors which are as many colored crystals, ground and reduced to a very fine, almost impalpable powder washed and purified in distilled water with the addition of small quantities of deoxidizing acids which, diluted with essential oils (usually essential oil of solder), can be mixed to form a palette of colors. With very fine sable hair brushes you draw the subject starting from the perimeter and then gradually adding various layers of color. It is necessary to carry out various firings very often so that the colors harden and are not absorbed by the underlying glaze as, during the subsequent firings at 750 ° C, during liquefaction, it would spread irremediably. Hence the need to form the painting a little at a time, cooking it numerous times. Therefore it is necessary to proceed with numerous retouching, often overlapping different colors that only the painter's experience knows. A beautiful miniature needs from 20 to over 50 firings and is finished when the painter deems he does not have to further intervene. Some colors must have darker tones than others because then, by superimposing the transparent enamel placed at the end of the miniature, they fade. This transparent layer, called “fondant” in jargon, must be smoothed and polished like all other translucent enamel colors. The miniatures with water tempera colors are painted on real...

Rolex Ladies' Watch Box with Outer Box Period: Late 20th century Material: Elegant red leatherette exterior with cream satin and red velvet interior, accompanied by a coordinating o...

Magnificent round box in red lacquer in two parts. Completely decorated by hand. With gilded, gold decoration. There are floral and geometric decorations, handmade interlacing, with gold leaf. The box is placed on 4 feet. The interior is lacquered black. Very nice dimensions. This box shows some wear due to its age and authenticity. This round Chinese box in red and gold lacquered woven bamboo Was probably a wedding box, a work box, a storage box. It can be used as a hat box, sewing box, games box or tea bag box...

1950s Large Mosaic Shell Inlaid Decorative Middle Eastern Islamic Moorish Box. Vintage 1950s Mosaic Abalone Shell Inlaid Decorative Middle Eastern Islamic Box. Mosaic Decorative Midd...

This elegant Art Deco decorative box with a crystal bowl inlay was made in France during the 1930s. Formerly, the box with its serving insert would be used as a cookie box or candy j...

A fine diminutive porcelain dresser or vanity box. By Limoges for Asprey. In the size and shape of an egg. Decorated with handpainted green plants, blue devices, and extensive ...

An English burl mahogany and inlay jewelry box from the 1800’s. The top of this square box has an inlaid cartouche of ebony, birdseye maple, and oak with brass banding. The box opens...

A silver trinket box with exquisite filigree work throughout, including the bottom and the feet. With white and red enamel decoration on the top and deep blue on the side. The delica...

Early 19th century Swedish Folk Art travel box from Skellefteå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. Beautiful untouched originalpaint. Decorated with handwrought iron around the box and ov...