Bone Decorative Boxes

Victorian Miniature Black forest Antler Casket 1860 A marvelous antique rustic casket. It is made of wood, veneered with antler pieces. On top an antler plaque...

Varnished, burl wood sewing box, decorated with Greek frieze and brass inlays. The box contains a mirror and sewing utensils made of bone and brass, as...

PRESENTING A LOVELY 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Sadeli Mosaic Inlaid Sewing Box. Made in Bombay, India, circa 1880. The box is made of sandalwood with highly carved raised teak wood panels on all sides, depicting temple scenes, animals and foliage. The box is in a sarcophagus form. It is edged in bone (and we can tell it is bone and not ivory, from the color and evidence of capillaries, which are not found in ivory), and banded with Bombay Sadeli mosaic and ebony veneer. The lid opens to reveal a removable tray with various open compartments and lidded compartments. 5 lidded compartments, 1 unlidded compartment and 8 holders for thimbles, etc The tray lifts to reveal a blue velvet (original) lined section, for storing jewelry etc, with sections for collars etc. The inside of the lid has a removable mirror (the mirror is missing on this one but can easily be replaced). Behind the mirror is the original green velvet lining. It has its original brass carry handles on the sides and sits on 4 silvered button feet (of recent origin). Some repairs to the exterior and condition issues (priced accordingly), but still a LOVELY COLLECTIBLE box! 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! 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...

A high quality and most elegant French 19th century Louis XV st. Ormolu and Tortoiseshell box. This truly stunning rectangular box is raised on four scrolling Ormolu acanthus leaf le...

Nice condition for its age. Does not have key. Has original sewing box utensils inside - spools, etc.

Gorgeous inlaid black shell and bone decorative trinket box by A&Y Augousti of Paris, circa 1990s. The box is made of wood with a intricate diamond pattern shell overlay and is in ex...

Vintage lidded box crafted in steer horn elements with metal spacers and having a carved penshell handle and feet.

An antique Russian sewing box made of bone, dated 1828 on the lid. Decorated with an etched trailing foliage pattern and topped with original green pin cushion. Lined with original g...

A strikingly beautiful French dore bronze box is all engraved with an ivory picture of an aristocrat, LeBron. The box is heavily chased with a velvet i...

Stunning Lacquer Lidded Box made in Italy. Lavender lacquer offset with Brass Piping and Bone corner detail. Wood lined with a tight fit. Matching picture frame...

19th century Georgian box in an octagonal form, featuring delicate penwork decoration on the lid with a central portrait medallion and floral motifs. The interior is fitted with a re...

A fine quality antique Regency period Chinese Export Lacquer Work Sewing Box, Circa 1820. The box having a hinged lid that is sumptuously decorated with a gilded design of Imperial...

Natural white and dyed bone on wood box with felt lining. The intricate traditional field pattern is framed by stringing and a marquetry & rosewood patterned border. The hinged lid i...

19th century English brass and bone banded calamander box with dome top.

Large 19th Century Tortoiseshell Sewing Box

Elegant, exotic, and unmistakably refined, shagreen has long captivated those with a discerning eye for luxury. Derived from stingray skin, this richly textured material first appea...

Galle district, 18th century The box is made of amboyna burr with inlays of ebony, bone and burr wood and has several interior compartments, all made with the utmost attention to de...

Exceptionally detailed 19th century carved bone gunpowder flask Italian, 19th Century Height 36cm, diameter 11cm This unconventional gunpowder flask, created in Italy in the 19th ce...

Early 18th century inlaid Italian walnut and tortoiseshell vargueno. 6 drawers with fine inlay, iron hardware.

This box is from France. It has been made in 1940, it is an art Deco Item. The box is in wood. It is a cigar box but It can be used as a docorative box...

Art Deco shagreen covered rectangular wooden box in pale grey, veneered on all exterior surfaces including the bottom.

Elegant, exotic, and unmistakably refined, shagreen has long captivated those with a discerning eye for luxury. A study in subtle opulence, this artisan-crafted decorative box is wra...

Discover the allure of this Vintage Boho Inlay Lidded Box, a masterpiece of craftsmanship that brings a touch of global elegance to your decor. Adorned with intricate bone inlay in a...

Discover the allure of these Vintage Boho Tessellated Horn Trinket Boxes, a captivating pair that brings natural elegance and artisanal charm to your decor. Expertly crafted from tes...

Faux tortoiseshell Cabinet with top and sides decorated with inlays of bone and different kinds of wood, creating geometric figures. The front is made up of 6 drawers framed by strip...

An anglo Indian workbox made of ebony. The tray lifts up from the box on the lid which is also inlaid in ivory and ebony and has a bone round disc that is signed New Bedford 1810. Th...

This exquisite Maitland Smith box showcases a striking bone inlaid design on rich satinwood, with meticulously carved out square patterns that create a visually dynamic effect. Craft...

This is a salesman sample of a Demilune English chest. It has four doors with an ivory bar handle. It is all inlaid around the top and the bottom. It sits on four legs. Circa 1800s.

A dutch tortoiseshell box with two engraved silver plaques Amsterdam, 1691, with maker's mark of Steven des Rousseaux (1654-1733) H. 5 cm Diam. 12.5 cm Note: Steven des ...

Great condition for its age. No major losses or damage. Has original sewing pieces inside.

Add a touch of bold, graphic style to your decor with this striking pair of vintage tessellated boxes. Expertly handcrafted, each box is clad in luminous tiles of creamy white bone, ...

A beautifully proportioned arched-top box, expertly crafted and clad in tessellated penshell and horn inlay, arranged in a pattern that evokes the warm, organic elegance of tortoises...

Vizagapatam box, India, 19th century. This highly decorative and unusual Anglo-Indian table box features rustic workmanship that adds to the character and charm of this unique Sout...

Mexican cabinet. Made of tortoiseshell, pen-engraved and wood. Possible Oaxaca or Puebla, 17th century.

Austrian Tortoise shell Silver box Austrian Tortoise shell Silver box in the shape of an envelope with a flap. The flap is with a spring. The box is marked with the Austrian Silve...

Fabulous Indian box made of bone and pierced brass with a wood bottom.A very nice design. Turn of the century, India.

Art Deco olive green shagreen covered box with bone edged top raised on turned ball feet and having the bottom covered in snake or lizard skin.

A wonderful and most charming Anglo-Indian 19th century black patinated, Bone and Oak box. This lovely rectangular box is supported on four squared feet in each corner. The front sid...

Presenting an absolutely fantastic 19C Anglo Ceylonese lap desk of museum quality. We can safely say that this is one of the finest lap desks we hav...

Spanish Colonial inlaid bone and faux tortoiseshell domed top box. Original hammered iron hinges. Circa 1680-1740. Excellent condition and very rare.

Circa 1750. Tortoiseshell and mother of pearl box with sliding top from Mexico 18th century. Beautiful designs all over. As is condition.

A fine early 19th century coromandel work box with moulded front design and fitted interior containing a super collection of sea shells. Ivory registration number 8NEDUS4R.

VERY DECORATIVE VIZAGAPATAM BOX Vizagapatam, India, 19th Century. Rustic workmanship will only add to the decorative appeal of this Anglo-Indian footed domed casket in ebonized woo...

A very wonderful and most attractive Anglo-Indian 19th century black patinated, Bone and Oak box. This unique rectangular box made of veneered blocks of Bone is supported on four squ...

A decorative handmade orange bone and black tribal design chest or jewelry box. The chest interior is leather and features gorgeous brass inlay design with natural decorative stones.

A spectacular and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XIV st. Boulle Boîte à Bijoux, signed "Tahan - Fournisseur du Roi" (Royal cabinetmake...

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...

Elegant, exotic, and unmistakably refined, shagreen has long captivated those with a discerning eye for luxury. A study in subtle opulence, this artisan-crafted decorative box is wr...

One absolutely gorgeous decorative box by Enrique Garcel 1980s. In two tone tessellated horn and brass bands surrounding it. The brass hinges make this box extremely sturdy with good...

Enriched by a prized interior in ivory Tosca leather, this rectangular storage box crafted of exquisite Horn and wood showcases a structure in delicate ivo...

Along with Alfred Klitgaard Knud Albert is regarded as one of the most prolific wood artist of the 1960s. Although KA is mostly known for his strange moder...

PRESENTING A VERY NICE 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Teak and Sandalwood Sarcophagus Sewing Box. Made in Bombay, India circa 1890-1900. The box case/body is made of sandalwood wit...

Exuding the quiet elegance of the Georgian era, this exquisite antique box is a miniature treasure of 19th-century craftsmanship. The piece is masterfully crafted from a rich, beauti...

A large Edwardian shaped rectangular silver and tortoiseshell piqué box, the hinged lid with a dainty basket suspended from a bow with long ribbons entwined with flowering tendrils, ...

Whaler made antique bone and ebonized wood round box, circa 1850. With pierced bone medallion and delicately carved bone spiral decorative supports on the...

A very well crafted tessellated Horn cedar wood box, circa 1980s. The piece is very heavy and solid and measures 6.375"W x 4.5"D x 3.5"H. #3772

This elegant decorative box showcases a striking geometric mosaic design crafted from natural horn, creating a sophisticated Art Deco meets Modernist aesthetic. The box features a se...

A lovely dome shaped bone box from India. The box can be decorative or hold anything from rubber bands to 420. A compliment to cocktail tables, shelves, bedside or on an end table ...

Modernist graphic patterned blue and white bone box with hand incised horn tiles. Wood interior.

Tessellated horn box from the late 20th century with a dome top shape. Brass hinge and black painted interior. In great vintage condition.