Hardwood Decorative Boxes

A Beautiful Handcrafted 19th Century Hardwood Veneer Writing Slope With A Tooled Purple Leather Writing Liner. Item Featured Brass Carry Handles & Is Finished With A Decorative Brass...

Capture the refined elegance of the English Regency period with this stunning antique marquetry box. Masterfully crafted in the 19th century, its rich, dark wood body is adorned with...

A charming fine quality antique French demilune decorative box from the late 19th century, finished in stunning rich briar elm burlwood, the half-moon shaped bentwood revolving door table or desk box - jewelry casket - trinket keepsake small cabinet - old fashioned cigarette case, features flower...

Late 18th Century George III English Box. Veneered in beautifully highly figured burled ash with small inlaid shield shapes. Made in England circa 1790. A beautifully crafted late 1...

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

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

Very beautiful small box from the time of Biedermeier, made of cherrywood. In the box is in the lid a mirror and the upper part is as an insert to take out. In very good restored con...

Late 19th c. early 20th c. Persian Footed Wooden Round Jewelry Box. Antique rare in round shape large Persian wooden box with marquetry called "Sadeli" or "Khatam Kari" with exquisit...

This is the grandfather of Michael Elkan boxes. Retaining it's original surface and the rarely seen or found interior boxes of which this group is intact. All made from the same bloc...

This is a nice example of artist, Elizabeth Bensley's enamel work from the late 1940s contrasting a primitive, crudely assembled box with refined, expert enamel decoration. Note that...

Scandinavian Modern box in teak and glass, attributed to Bengt Edenfalk, Skruf, ca 1960's. Made for a company named Ekman & Co AB. Good vintage condition, wear and patina consistent...

An organic modern Birdseye, burl and lightly spalted studio box by artist Michael Elkan. The hinged top opens to reveal two covered compartments for jewelry or whatnots.

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

Long ago, this elegant rosewood box was used by a Qing-dynasty lady to store her favorite pieces of jewelry, each drawer filled with jades, pearls, coral necklaces, and hair pins. Th...

Rare and important piece of design from the early beginning of the Danish Modern furniture era. This sewing box was made at Fritz Hansen & Son, Copenhagen in the 1930s. It is made fr...

Dated to the mid-19th century, this petite hardwood box captures in miniature the elaborate form of a traditional Chinese altar table. Crafted of a dense hardwood, the narrow box is ...

Unique satinwood painted English dresser box from the 19th century. Box has colorful floral and ribbon design with exotic birds on a beautiful satinwood background. Designs are in ea...

A superb early 18th century kingwood oyster veneered coffre fort with fine gilt brass metal work, the fall front opens to reveal three drawers and three hidden compartments. Lovely c...

Zig zag patterned cocobolo, blackwood and betel nut lidded box created by Jon Sauer of San Francisco, California. Box measures 7" in height by 3" in diameter. In excellent vintage co...

An English gentleman’s traveling chest circa 1860, made by J.Braman. Framed in brass with ornate brass floral inlay. The interior is lined with red velvet and red leather with gilt t...

1927 Gelas Double-Table Mandolin, Numbered (5947) and Stamped: An Exceptional Collector's Piece. - Visual Characteristics: • Soundboard View: o Shape: The mandolin exhibits a ch...

A highly detailed and most elegant French early 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu and ebonized Fruitwood Boulle Marquetry cabinet/trunk. This impressive rectangular trunk is raised ...

A lovely Chinese turquoise ground cloisonne "double peach" box and cover with shaped hardwood stand, Republic Period (1911 to 1949), early 20th century, China. The box formed as a p...

Hand carved large wooden Anglo-Raj jewelry box. Early 20th century wood box richly decorated overall with arabesques and floral carving. Hinged lid shallow relief carving with inte...

Decorative Box for Cigarettes in wood and Bakelite brown and White color France 20th

An early 19th century miniature Italian coffer, or hinged box, made of solid walnut with marquetry inlay of various woods and bookmatched bird's-eye map...

1960s Handcrafted Bone Inlaid Trinket Moroccan Wood Trinket Box. Handmade artisanal mid century inlaid trinket decorative lidded Moroccan box. This hexagonal shaped decorative box ha...

Early 19th century oak candle box from England. The box has a wonderfully hand carved top with two opposing birds flanking a central pineapple. These symbols were also synonymous with welcoming guests into your home. Below the birds, there is a lovely small carved piece over the lid of the candle box. The lid is beveled around the edge for added design detail. The sides of the box are simple and the front has beaded edges, which flank the central panel. That is decorated with a crossed knife...

Early 19th century oak candle box from England. This is a wonderful folk art box with loads of character! The top of the box is hand carved and has wonderful scalloped shapes and a central heart, surrounded by inlaid hears for added whimsy. The lid of the box is banded in boxwood and follows down to simple sides and the front panel is also inlaid in boxwood. There is a central frame in which is enclosed another lovely heart over a crossed knife...

Tunbridge trinket box made in England in the 1870s. Wooden floral design. Tunbridge wooden trinket box made in England in the 1870s. Tunbridge war...

Memphis style Postmodern mixed wood jewelry box with drawer, circa 1998. The box measures: 9" W x 9" D x 7.25" H and is made of a variety of hard woods including ash, walnut and mapl...

Handsome leather studded trunk with antique brass nailheads in a lovely motif. Works well as a side table or object d'art.

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...

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...

Secret Pen Box “There’s something deep inside my psyche that is fascinated with secret compartments. Perhaps it has to do with my childhood on the farm. It was a time of constant discovery. Being free to roam over hundreds of acres of rugged bushland, I was forever discovering the secret places where the small birds, animals and insects of the bush hid from prying eyes. Discovering them took many hours and sometimes days of patience and skill. Just like discovering where we have placed secret compartments within our pieces. This box has been made with great skill and passion. And it is very difficult to discover it’s secrets. I know this unique treasure will become a well-loved family heirloom. Please enjoy it, and all the joy and intrigue it will bring you”…David Boucher This intriguing box of drawers provides storage for up to thirty-one pens and features five very secret opening mechanisms. It was created in its entirety in our workrooms in Toowoomba, Australia. The attention to detail is meticulous. There’s a concealed top tray along with four ‘hidden’ drawers that have no obvious way of opening. Each item of material was painstakingly selected. Macassar Ebony, North Queensland Figured Butt Maple (It’s amazing story can be read below) red Shagreen and Italian leather. The very intricate drawer-opening mechanisms and the nickel-plated brass feet have been custom made for this piece. Drawer sides are made from quarter-sawn solid Queensland Silver Ash and feature very fine, hand-cut dovetails. Each drawer is precision fitted with fine red Italian leather. There are even protective leather pads with intricately folded edges under each foot. The box is beautifully hand finished with a durable satin lacquer. Signed and engraved with the registered number. PLEASE NOTE : Maximum pen diameter capacity • Top opening compartment -Maximum Pen diameter - 23mm • 3 drawers – Maximum Pen diameter - 25mm A video explaining how to access each of the secret opening systems will be supplied to the purchaser. (The story of this North Queensland figured Butt Maple that has been used inside the lid of the Secret Pen Box. “The figure and colour of this amazing piece timber is the result of a rare trick of nature. Some 200 years ago, a large North Queensland Maple tree fell victim to the destructive force of a Pacific Ocean cyclone. Few trees survived the storm, but this tree was different. It was destined for much bigger things. The tree was crushed, bent and twisted by the massive cyclonic winds, but when all fell calm, it was still standing. Over the next 100 years, the bent and heavily leaning tree grew to become a massive giant. The timber grain inside became wrinkled from the compression and slowly developed into a treasure box of colour and figure. When the tree finally died, it was recovered and taken to an old country sawmill in the high country inland from Cairns in North Queensland in 1901. At the mill it was in the process of being sawn into house framing when the incredible figure of the wood's grain was exposed. The alert mill owner stopped the saw, seeing a far bigger purpose for the amazing timber in the log. His decision to have the timber cut into veneers was to have far reaching implications. The log was taken by bullock wagon to Cairns, …an amazing journey in those days. The wagon was precariously winched down the treacherous tracks over the side of the Great Dividing Range. This was done in short stages with a series of large pulley blocks and ropes tied to trees along the hillside, using the bullock team to counterbalance the weight of the wagon and its load. From there it was hauled to Cairns harbour and floated out to be winched aboard a waiting sailing ship for the long trip to Sydney, some three thousand kilometres away. There an old German veneer maker had a small veneer factory where the log was cut into the spectacular veneers you see here today. The old man was so amazed with the pattern, that he took them home and secreted them away in his wine cellar, there to be kept in storage waiting for a "special purpose", worthy of their extreme rarity. Upon his death, the veneers were passed into the safe keeping of his daughter and her husband, and subsequently, after a four year negotiation, were obtained by David Boucher on the promise that his amazing designs would properly fulfil the "special purpose" that her father had wished for them. This is the same timber that was used to make a beautiful Writing Compendium...

This is an antique Campaign correspondence box. An Anglo-Indian, teak and brass bound Colonial traveller's writing case, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Captivati...

This adorable box, shaped like a woven basket, is crowned with three lively carved terriers, each with expressive features, shining glass eyes, and a lovingly detailed coat. The craf...

19th century Anglo-Indian hand carved tropical wood box.

Neoclassical Biedermeie box, rosewood veneer, brass inlays, England, circa 1830 Beautiful rosewood/palisander veneered, French polished. Brass trims around the upper edge and bras...

Late empire tobacco box in rosewood. The top of the lid is adorned with a walrus tooth. Denmark 1830-1840.

An early 20th century bird's-eye maple collectors box, circa 1920. Complete with recessed silvered handles and corners which gives it a military Campaig...

Danish modern solid teak tambour door trinket box, circa 1970s. This beautiful well crafted desk top box is great for storing small items. The box is in very good vintage condition ...

Victorian English bird's eye maple lap desk, with ebony and mother-of-pearl inlay. The dome shaped top has a brass shield medallion in the center. The interior has a vibrant purple f...

Briefcase with miniature music box _ a one-of-a-kind Document Case Designed and created by the world acclaimed artisans of Boucher & Co Australia...

These boxes were made for British military officers who were posted in Burma (now Myanmar) & India during the days of British rule. The brass & copper bound teak case is profusely ...

This strikingly tall decorative lidded box is a testament to artisanal craftsmanship, crowned with a masterfully carved horse head that serves as both handle and sculptural focal poi...

This is a truly unique antique box, not only does it have a faux book front. Fine inlay detail to the top - showcasing birds but it has a very cool hidden document storage...

We have for sale a Sun Hat box by master woodturner Ray Key (1942-2018). Ray Key was one of the most praised woodturners of any generation. His works are in mu...

A charming 17th century ebony and kingwood cabinet with turned columns to the corners, the fall front opens to reveal a set of drawers and arched mirrored centre. The lid also housin...

The dense carving of this 19th century South Indian sandalwood jewellery box is so lively and animated.

A George III penwork sarcophagus work box with hinged lid decorated with a chariot, the side with Neo-Classical devices. Age related abrasions and knocks later replacement ebonised ...

Decorative Box for Cigarettes in wood brown color India

Vintage Hexagonal mosaic faux tortoise shell wooden box by Maitland-Smith with brass inlay. Made in the 1990's in an art deco style. Maitland-Smith Label still on the bottom with bra...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale 1 of 4 vintage Anglo Indian Export Rosewood and Brass tissue box holders A good looking well made and decor...

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...

A vintage Scandinavian teak pen / desk box from the 1950s, crafted in the refined Mid Century Modern style. The rectangular form highlights the warm, natural grain of the teak wood, ...

This exquisite letter box, crafted in Puebla, Mexico, during the early 20th century, is a testament to the region's rich tradition of marquetry. Made from fine fruitwood, the box sho...

A Victorian calamander toilet box with ten silver mounted jars, by William Neal, London, dated 1874. The box with fall front, two drawers and secret drawer,...

Exceptional big Italian Pharmacy pot with cover from Tuscany,Italy, elegant object with few decorations, good old patina and warm finish of the wood, ...

Restored Biedermeier Jewelry Box from South Germany around 1820 Cherry veneered on softwood with inlays in ash veneer. Brass fittings, hinges and working lock. Restored and hand-poli...