Hardwood Decorative Boxes

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...

Fully Fitted Sewing Box From our Sewing Box collection, we are delighted to introduce this Antique Rosewood Sewing Box. The Sewing Box of rectangular form veneered in Rosewood with ...

A Chinese Huanghuali document box with original brass mounts. Features a rectangular lid with ornate cut-out brass corners, brass bound down a...

A Beautifully Worn Late Edo Period Wabi Sabi "Safe"/Storage box. Originally used to store money & valuables. Heavily patinated cedar & chestnut. Perf...

A lovely small turned hardwood lidded box with a chess style shaped finial, made in Europe probably in the 1960s.

This exquisite Art Deco copper box, designed circa 1930 and signed by Manning Bowman, is a striking example of sophisticated craftsmanship from the Machine Age. Known for their high-...

Vintage Middle Eastern Khatam Art Painting Miniature on hexagonal shape trinket box. Hand painted, lacquered wooden Moorish micro mosaic marquetry inlaid tobacco or trinket Box. Handcrafted vintage marquetry Indo Persian wood inlay micro mosaic with miniature hand painted scene. Finely handcrafted khatam Persian hand painted micro mosaic inlaid wooden box...

Eyecatching Ceylonese rectangular porcupine quill box with decoration of ebonised casing and striking porcupine quills and infills of white and black bone 'dots' Sliding lid reveals...

English zebra wood military campaign writing desk with brass bound molded edges, original recessed side handles, fitted leather interior with tooling and retains the original crystal ink wells...

Moorish Spain Arch Top Intricate detailed wood inlaid Marquetry Jewelry box. An Hispano Moresque Arch Top Wood Inlaid Marquetry Jewelry Box Casket. Moori...

19th century hand turned fruitwood lidded treen box from England. The top has an applied hand turned finial over a turned lid. The base of the box is turned as well and is supporte...

Istanbul is a wooden box collection inspired by some of towns most iconic buildings: Galata Tower, Hagia Sophia and Bebek Mosque. Each item takes its name from these structures. The ...

Antique Victorian J&S glove, casket, keepsake or jewelry box crafted of wood clad in gold tone enamel finished embossed metal with a fine orange velvet l...

1950s Moorish Spain Music Box: This exquisite handcrafted box, made in Granada, Spain, showcases the intricate art of Islamic Moorish marquetry. The ...

Impressive English Georgian Sheraton Period Flame Grain Satinwood Double Tea Caddy of outstanding quality and workmanship and compact size. Circa 1800-20. The hinged lid cross band...

A rare and exquisite circa 1780 English, possibly Irish, George III period bottle caddy or tabletop cellarette in the form of a two-storey ashlar Palladian mansion house, the boxwood...

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...

Elegant octagonal wooden music box in thuya wood. Thuya tree is famous for rich gold and brown shades of its grain and unique exotic fragrance, simila...

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...

Boat Shaped Teak Box signed BAE, 1981 Tamborine Door Blue Velvet on Interior "In nice vintage as found condition with some minor wear to wood surface." "Takes some pressure / forc...

This is a very good quality English Art Deco period lidded Box, of two contrasting woods with a hinged lid and one internal compartment, dating to circa 1925. The box has very in-pe...

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 appear...

The Dawa luxury bar set is a great addition to any home cocktail bar. These items can be bought individually or as a set. The set consists of the following: The Ice bucket's body ...

This exceptional modernist silver plate lidded box has a design reminiscent of Gabriella Crespi's prestigious production. The rare piece was expertly crafted in Italy circa 1980. The...

19th Century Chinese camphor wood and brass inlaid writing slope of exceptional quality, having a drawer to the front which when pulls out opens the tambour shutter on top to reveal ...

Middle Eastern Sadeli micro mosaic inlaid jewelry footed box with lid. Intricate inlaid box with floral and geometric Moorish design. Sadeli micro mosaic designs in mosaic marquetry, very fine artwork. Lined with red velvet and glass, top final and feet are brass. A highly collectible example in superb condition complete Circa 1900. Museum piece like the ones in Doris Duke Islamic Art Museum. Middle Eastern Arabian Micro Mosaic Moorish...

Istanbul is a wooden box collection inspired by some of towns most iconic buildings: Galata Tower, Hagia Sophia and Bebek Mosque. Each item takes its name from these structures. The ...

Standout large Asian lidded box crafted in hardwood and hand decorated with birds, flowers and figures in a traditional technique.

Anglo Indian hardwood campaign or dowry chest. This has brass straps, handles and large hinges on the interior. The lock has the original key. The chest is in good condition. It show...

18th Century Brass Mounted and Lacquered “Marriage” Dowry Box. Exquisite Indian craftsmanship made of teak with decorative brass on a patinated red lacquered surface with intricate ...

Vintage Handmade Alhambra Palace Moorish Jewelry Box – 1950s Granada, Spain Bring the grandeur of Islamic architecture into your home with this stunning vintage jewelry box, handcraf...

1950’s New Zealand Apple Crates – Pair. Good honest produce crate with distinct branding. Internal Dimensions: L50 x W30 x H29 all in cm Workshop Report: Our workshop team inspec...

This exquisite French Art Deco decorative box is reminiscent of Desny's work. It features Macassar wood hexagonal sides with chromed metal accents on the lid—French Art Deco decorati...

Early 19th century stationery box, which has been converted from a knife box. It is a classic serpentine shape in the front, with the edges inlaid in boxwood. There is a central ...

Designed by eccentric woodworker and designer Don Shoemaker, this trinket box was made by Senal in Mexico. It employs a cacophany of exotic woods, including cocobolo, jacaranda, and ...

Elegant footed wooden music box in deep blue color with top finely hand painted and inlaid with foliages floral gold decor. Handcrafted footed wooden music box in thuya wood hand painted top. Thuya tree is famous for rich gold and brown shades of its grain and unique exotic fragrance, similar to cedar. Lined in green jade velvet, original key with tassel. Upon opening, the music box begins to play a theme : Romance" Somewhere over the Rainbow...

Antique Textile Fragment in Sterling Silver & Hardwood Presentation Box Textile: Circa 600–1400 CE Box: Mid-20th Century A refined and historically rich presentation box housing an...

A sleek and elegant rectangular box, this piece is crafted with a striking black and ivory bone inlay in a bold geometric pattern. Its elongated form makes it perfect for holding jew...

This stunning Art Deco decorative box is reminiscent of Maison Desny's work. The piece was expertly crafted in France circa 1930. The decorative piece features Macassar wood sides wi...

An elegant Continental marquetry box dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, handcrafted with richly figured hardwood veneers arranged in bold geometric parquetry patterns. Th...

For your consideration is this superbly iconic looking Art Deco wooden box which we think was a tea caddy or for cigarettes originally. The exterior of the box is veneered in a beaut...

Vintage Middle Eastern Moorish wooden jewelry box inlaid with marquetry. Middle Eastern box handcrafted in very fine Moorish micro mosaic diamonds, ...

Exquisite handcrafted Middle Eastern mosaic marquetry inlaid walnut wood box. Small box intricately decorated with Moorish motif designs which h...

With rectangular hinged top with brass strap mounting. When open the front folds down to expose hidden compartments and wells. Case mounted the same as the lid. Side carry handles. I...

Japanese Kobako Yosegi Zaiku marquetry roll-top box A Japanese Kobako box, small and very light box with a roll-top door. A box, designed with beautiful Yosegi Zaiku inlay work (marquetry). Made in the Hakone region Hakone-Yosegi-Zaiku is a type of traditional Japanese inlay...

Presenting an absolutely stunning 19c Anglo Ceylonese sewing box of museum quality. Made in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) circa 1860, this is one of the finest sewing boxes of it’s kind that we have ever seen! The box is made from coromandel wood (an exotic hardwood found in Ceylon) and has a serpentine edging all over the front, back and sides. Very often the lids/tops of these boxes suffer cracks due to shrinkage but this one is near perfect with no crack in the lid/top. There is some evidence of natural shrinkage but that is around the edges of the lid/top. It is when you open this box that it reveals it’s true beauty, quality and treasure ! The inside of the lid/top is heavily and beautifully decorated with inlaid bone in scrolling floral patterns which have then been hand painted with red and black ‘lac’ ink. The central medallion is a circle of inlaid specimen exotic hardwoods radiating towards a central bone and hand painted flower. The circle is edged in bone, wood and silver chevrons. What makes this box Exceptionally rare is that it contains 3 lift out base sections. Normally, there would be a maximum of 2. The first tray/section is clearly for the purposes ancillary to sewing with a pair of sections with bone spools for thread etc. There are 17 other lidded compartments with each one highly decorated using hand painted bone and specimen woods to replicate tortoiseshell. The first tray lifts out to reveal a second removeable tray which is made up of a pair of open sections and 8 specimen wood lidded sections each with chevron banding. The third tray is a smaller tray underneath with 14 lidded compartments each with hand painted bone and specimen wood inlaid lids again, replicating the look of tortoiseshell. Again they are banded with a chevron border. This is a museum quality piece ! It is in fantastic condition for it’s age with the minor shrinkage to the edges of the lid/top, some finger pulls missing and some very minor cracks to the tray lids and bases but nothing that in any way detracts from the piece. No key. Dimensions: Closed the box is 16.75 inches wide, 11.25 inches deep and 7.5 inches high Fully open the box is 16.5 inches high, 16.75 inches wide and 11.4 inches deep Anglo-Indian and ceylonese boxes: 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. Anglo-Indian boxes normally consist of 3 main types:- (1) Most of the best and highest quality Anglo-Indian boxes in the 18th and 19th centuries were made in Vizagapatam, India, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship in using ivory and tortoiseshell and lac decoration. These are referred to as ‘Vizagapatam Boxes...

A pair of early 20th century boxwood containers (21 cm) that allowed the discreet storage of medicines destined to treatments of pathologies to be kept hidden. A unique set that w...

English military leather chest with original brass mounts, braided tacks, and brass side handles. All original. Early 19th Century

Impressive English Georgian Sheraton Period Flame Grain Satinwood Double Tea Caddy of outstanding quality and workmanship and compact size. Circa 1800-20. The hinged lid cross band...

A fabulous example of a French fruitwood box carved beautifully carved into the form of a trunk. Look closely at the amazing detail, the side handles, the leather stitching, the l...

Fabulous Anglo-Indian decorative box inlaid. Made in Vizagapatam, situated on the south east coast of India, near Madras. Great decorative inlaid pen box or jewelry box. Inside dimen...

1950s Anglo Indian Micro Sadeli Mosaic Inlaid Jewelry Box. DIMENSIONS: 7ʺW × 7ʺD × 2.5ʺH. Indo Persian Moorish style micro mosaic inlaid jewelry box with lid. Intricate inlaid Anglo ...

Beautiful restored Historicism Box or small Chest, Floral Ash Veneer from Austria, Vienna Late 19th Century, circa 1880 Flower ash veneered on softwood with rosewood inlays. Ebonized...

Jewelry Box by Cathrine Horsbøll, Denmark, ca. 1910 Jewelry box of oval form in richly figured mahogany, the lid centred with a marquetry medallion of elm root and walnut framing a ...

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 appear...

Chinese elaborately Relief carved glove box with original hinges and lock, no key, no damage or cracks, 9 ¾” w. x 3 ¾” d x 3” h. Notes: Very good condition  

An extensively filled 19th century ormolu-mounted ebonized wood dresser vanity box fitted with silver gold washed lidded glass gars and sewing tools. The ...

Elegant and decorative Box in the shape of a large book from the early 20th Century. Made in beech with brass details and gilded pages. Wear consistent with age and use

PRESENTING an ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS and EXTREMELY UNIQUE and RARE 19C British Tunbridgeware Micromosaic Lap Desk. This lap desk is unlike any of it’s kind we have seen before. From c...

Extremely Rare Regency Antique Penwork Cabinet A very interesting and rare Antique Regency Penwork Cabinet decorated with numerous scenes of exquisi...