Hardwood Decorative Boxes

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...

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...

Rare and gorgeous Georgian English mahogany hanging wall box with satinwood inlay and elegant fretwork back, that once was used as a candle box. Unus...

Danish Mid-Century teak wood humidor in tear drop shape with along narrow neck that opens in the middle

A work of art in itself, this finely woven Qing-dynasty trunk likely once stored prized painted scrolls. Framed in elmwood, the trunk’s panels are lined with thin reeds that were pai...

Rectangular with overall cube parquetry. Lift top. Well executed with a wide choice of exotic woods.Nice patina and presents well. From the estate of the founder of Yankee Candle Com...

Art Deco inspired Box with Shagreen and black Ebony detailing. A very special little box from the Boucher & Co Collection, inspired by intricate beaded work created last century by the House of Dior, handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail in the Toowoomba, Australia workrooms. Created from rich, beautifully figured Macassar Ebony sides, black Shagreen lid inlaid with red Shagreen and very fine, solid black ebony lines to create a bow tie design and edged with solid black Ebony moulding. Nickel silver feet and tab are custom made. The interior is fitted with a fine Italian red leather and timberwork protected with a durable clear satin lacquer. Signed and engraved with the registered number. Box size 12.5 x 18.5 x 4 cm Box size including metal feet 13 x 19 x 4.8 cm "In 2008 we were privileged to enjoy an amazing Art Deco exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia. The exhibition, organised by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, was truly a feast for the senses. Amongst the multitude of creations that inspired me was a beautiful little hand-beaded Dior evening clutch...

Rectangular with hinged lid featuring beautifully laid out design of cube parquetry. Fitted interior. Conforming case.

A beautiful antique decorative box, inlaid with different types of wood. This type of marquetry work is also called 'Oeben Cubes', named after the famous ebenist Jean Oeben (1721-176...

Tunbridge wooden trinket box made in England in the 1850s with an intricate design. Tunbridge wooden trinket box made in England in the 1850s. Tun...

1930's Original Fruit Shipping Export Crates - Set Of Five. Originally used to ship tins of fruit to the Belgian confitures factory of Mirland & Co, Frameries Belgium. Listing is f...

Nautical Arts and Crafts Hardwood, Cypress and Bronze Knob Handmade and Hand painted Ceremony Box by McAdams Design, USA. This work is a product of the husband & wife design team of Joyce McAdams...

This teak storage box comes for the Island of Java, Indonesia. Dating to the Mid-20th Century it was crafted from a single block of teak. It features ...

Betel Nut is consumed on a daily basis in a large portion of the Indonesian Archipelago. In Java, betel nut was offered as a sign of respect and hospitality when people would visit o...

Three-drawer brass bound chest, with the original steel hasp and carrying handles, with brass bound corners and decorative brass stud work on the fr...

An 18th century French Provencal fariniere beautifully carved and constructed. A sliding front panel features two carved fish. The box is dovetailed with a false bottom drawer. Lovel...

This 19th century red and black lacquered Indonesian document box is a beautiful way to keep your important papers tucked away. Made of richly patinated teak with intricate red and b...

These late 19th century miniature tapered cabinets would have been kept in a woman's quarters, likely used as a jewelry box or cosmetics case. The carved door fronts are decorated wi...

A most charming Florentine 19th century Ebonized Fruitwood and Pietra Dura marble box. This wonderful box is raised by four toupie shaped feet supporting the body of the box decorate...

Metal bound Swedish "wedding" box

Decorate a coffee table or a shelf with this elegant antique box. Created in France circa 1880, the rectangular cabinet is decorated with an elegant floral inlaid star motif on the t...

This finely woven circa 1800 trunk is a work of art in itself and was possibly used to store prized painted scrolls. A skilled artisan painstakingly wove thin-as-hair reeds to cover ...

Large white ash nun vase by Matthias Scherzinger. Limited Edition of 30 pieces, each colour each size. Engraved brass-label with number. Dimensions: L 19 x W 19 x H 73 cm. Materi...

Antique iron bound merchants chest with hidden compartments. The chest is very heavy, it has a great deal of thick iron banding and brass and iron st...

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...

French Modern Specimen Hardwood Carved Conch Shell Motif Box France, Later 20th Century Realistically carved and modeled of book-matched hardwood as...

This mudejar styled small coffer is inspired by the XVIIth Century and is decorated with sgraffito bone with iron details.

Meant to hang on a wall. Barrel shape with alternating woods. Lift lid and cutout back to hang on a wall. Commonly referred to as treen ware.

Our fruitwood jewelry chest with bronze mounts and plaque dedicated to Marie comes from the esteemed Parisian cabinet maker, Paul Sormani (1817-1877). Signed and dated on the brass.

19th Century Treen Money Box A fine 19th century treen money box, made in fruitwood with brass feet and handle, the money box is in good condition for its age, lovely colour and pat...

A Treen Sphere Enclosing Needle and Thread Spool A wonderful piece when unscrewed to open it reveals inside a needle case at the centre and a double thread spool which slips over it...

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

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...

1960's Decorative carved wood boxe Hand made France Signed

19th Century Treen Measure and Thread Dispenser in Sycamore Made in the 19th century, skilfully turned from Sycamore, these superb pieces would be used by the pharmacist and the se...

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Antique Georgian mahogany and thick solid brass wine bucket with period zinc liner A very good lo...

Nice hand craft box sculpted in a piece of fruitwood Signed and dated 1987

3 19th century Hand Made Treen Items, Powder, Perfume and Matches A Glove powderer in sycamore, Glass perfume bottle in turned beech case and a beech vesta with brass hinge and matc...

Store your remote controls in this antique fruitwood box, crafted in Brittany, France, circa 1900, the decorative box made of chestnut, features hand carved decor including floral medallions on the sides and a Briton woman head sculpture...

Carved Spectacle Case with brass Hinge and Clasp Beautifully carved and lined with Blue Velvet, all working and in good Condition SC80

A miniature chest with secret for Your jewels: a little brass rod closes all drawers from the top of the first drawer. Outwarding it is a perfect ornament. Suitable for collection. M...

Set of 3 white ash nun vases by Matthias Scherzinger Limited edition of 30 pieces, each colour each size Engraved brass-label with number Dimensions: Small: L 14.5 x W 14.5 x 46 c...

Set of 2 white ash nun vases by Matthias Scherzinger. Limited edition of 30 pieces, each colour each size. Engraved brass-label with number. Dimensions: Small: L 14.5 x W 14.5 x 4...

Large white ash nun vase by Matthias Scherzinger Limited Edition of 30 pieces, each colour each size Engraved brass-label with number Dimensions: L 14.5 x W 14.5 x 46 cm Material...

An Anglo-Indian brass-mounted padouk and ebony box, Ceylon, second half of the 18th century.

Metal bound Swedish " wedding " box. H 22cm x W 59cm x D 44cm

H 30cm x W 60cm x D 45cm Metal bound Swedish " wedding " box. Sweden 1840 circa 5kg

Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box with Eridge Castle Topographic Mosaic, c1860 Additional Information: Heading: Tunbridge Ware - A Sewing Box with E...

"Assemble me, stack me, love me. This petite minimalist storage solution is a symmetrical box that can be taken apart without the use of tools, consisting of six components that are ...

1900 one of a kind gloves boxe showing a nice trunk Great condition France

Wooden box carved on both sides. On one side men fighting. And on the other a landscape. Dimensions of the box 80 mm x 48 mm x 17 mm Additional information: Material: Fruit woods...

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

Small box carved in blond horn China XIXth with landscape motif of dimension 52 x 20 mm. Weight 17.2 g. Additional information: Material: Fruit wo...

Super fun, colourful and charming vintage model of boxes / ad display set up. Provenance, an old French box manufacturers. Built of cardboard and wood, ...

Stitched leather boxe by Jacques Adnet 1950s France.

Rare and exceptional tobacco humidor in turned teak by Ernst Henriksen.

Brass and steel bound teak Campaign trunk with recessed brass carrying handles.

Olive ash Do-Ri tray by Matthias Scherzinger Dimensions: L 47.4 x W 19.8 x H 6.5 cm Materials: olive ash: black stained lacquered inside tin: hard wax   It all began in Glo...