Iron Decorative Boxes

Very early fat cylinder music box. The mechanism has a 2 per turn setting, but plays 1 tune in 2 parts on the first revolution resulting in 7 tunes in total. The plane brass bedplate...

Spain, 1890 A late nineteenth century Spanish wood and leather casket with foliate tooling throughout, the domed top depicting the Greek figures Scylla and Charybdis, the borders li...

Large music box with 3 automatons and 10 bells made in about 1875 by Karrer in Teufenthal (Swiss). Karrer was an maker of Quality items and are very ra...

Public mailbox of the French Post Office Model in molded cast iron manufactured by Delachanal in Paris - Late 19th Century Good general condition - presented in its original conditi...

Wrought iron box with secret 18th century Riveted wrought iron box. One of the rivets moves upwards and makes an internal mechanism move in order to open. The mechanism is incomplete...

A rare and magnificent antique Tuareg peoples mixed metal mounted wooden chest / coffer / monumental table box. Most impressive size, hand-crafted in ...

Beautiful musical snuff box. Cylinder mechanisme made in Switserland, in about 1840, plays 2 tunes on a sectional comb (comb is made of 18 3-teeth combs!!) the case is English, made...

Beautiful music box by Bendon. Made in about 1880 in Switserland by this well known manufacturer. The mechanism plays 8 tunes on a 28cm cylinder as indicated on the original 'Bendon'...

An attractive early 17th-century carved oak box of boarded construction from the reign of Charles I, circa 1640. England The box is deeply carved and punch decorated to the frieze i...

Very nice and early overture music box, probably by Lecoultre (alltough unsigned). The key wind mechanism plays 4 overtures with a nice and bright tone on a very fine comb. The fad c...

Here is a decorative and functional pressed brass lift lid box with a zinc liner and an iron base which has been added. The top and front have an impressed scene depicting a group wh...

If you are looking for an addition to your collection or a showpeace to impress, this is it. This is a rachet wind cylinder music box of truly massive scale. Impressive cylinder of ...

Extremely rare musical clock. The the BA Bremond musical mechanism plays 8 tunes as indicated on the original tunesheet. On the left there is the winding lever on the right there are...

Mid 18th century scandinavian baroque oak iron bound box circa 1720. Characterful oval shaped box profusely covered with iron edging and strap work.  This piece has taken on a great...

Top quality made and near-antique box depicting Don Quixote, Sancho Panza and also Miguel de Cervantes. Over the years we have had the pleasure of owning and selling some truly beau...

Scandinavian tine, or svepask, painted bentwood oval-shape box circa late 19th century, probably from the Sogn og Fjordane region. Box is created from thin layers of steam-bent wood ...

A fine pair of Korean iron box with intricate silver inlays dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The matching circular boxes was most likely used to store tobacco lea...

19th Century Antique Oak Briefnbox/Casket, Germany Rectangular solid oak body with fittings. The box is relatively large and wide and offers a lot of space. The box can be used in m...

Unique, Large and functional wrought Iron Mailbox. The piece is a functional mailbox with a pull handle in the front, several train cars, with the last being open to hold boxes and ...

Leather trunk Spanish, 17th century Boiled Leather, wood and iron Measures: 22 x 53 x 32 cm. Provenance : - collection Metz-Noblat, Château de Clevant, France Rectangular trunk of the form and size of a small suitcase with wrought iron hinges and lock-plate. Wood, covered with leather, cut and embossed with every surface of the thick cow hide covered in interlace, zoomorphic features. The construction method is boiled leather, often referred to by its French translation cuir-bouilli: a process used to change flexible, vegetable-tanned leather into rigid, moulded objects. For shaping of the vegetable-tanned leather, heat and moisture were used, as indicated by the term boiled leather. No written medieval sources describing the production of decorated cuir bouilli objects survive, so knowledge of the process relies on the important studies of the Scottish leather historian John William Waterer. A large range of methods, materials and techniques could be used in various combinations. The vegetable-tanned leather, made supple with moisture and heat, was stuffed, shaped and nailed to the rigid wooden coffer support. The stuffing material was probably modeled beeswax or stearin wax. To shape the leather, to create its topography, « Cushions » were made by lacing a thread through an awl hole and attaching the flexible leather and stuffing to the rigid wooden support on the bottom. Then the decoration was done: lines were incised through the upper layer of the leather (epidermis) with different thicknesses of knives or needles. Contours were created with deep v-shaped cuts, decoration with thin incision and final details with a needle point. For the incision and pouncing stage, the leather was probably kept heated and moistened for suppleness. Once dry, the leather would be hard and rigid. the saturated leather is worked over a form, possibly even damp sand, with the pattern shaped using bone or wooden tools. Compare to metal, leather was lighter and it offered protection from cuts and punctures. Cuir bouilli objects were produced by specialist leather workers and needed skillful craftsmanship. The surface is filled with roundels shaped foliages enclosing animals, lions and peacocks. The foliate arabesques creating a vegetal connection tweet the animals create the impression of a lush verdant space . The vegetal pattern here employed in combination with geometrical pattern came from the pre-islamic artistic traditions of the Byzantine and Sasanian empires. An aspect of Islamic geometry Is the basic symmetrical repetition and mirroring of the shapes that create a sense of harmony. The decoration of this truck is inspired by the islamic « arabesque » a form of vegetal ornament composed of spirals, intertwining plants and abstract curvilinear motifs. An arabesque character is given to the birds of the decorations through extreme stylisation. This arabesque maintained the classical tradition of median symmetry, freedom in Detail and heterogeneity of ornament. The presence of the peacocks is a paradisiacal allusion: in popular Islamic literature they were among the original inhabitants of the garden of Paradise expelled with Adam and Eve. Peacock as a decorative motif may have originated in the West, despite their eastern provenance. There was an ancient belief that the flesh and feathers of peacock do not decay. This led to the peacock becoming a christian symbol for Christ’s resurrection. Renowned for their decorative wall hangings, seventeenth-century Spanish leatherworkers also produced utilitarian objects, such as this trunk. A similar trunk is on display at the Metropolitan museum of art ( 09.158.1). Related literature : Davies L. 2006. Cuir bouilli. Conservation of leather and related materials, 94-102, Oxford: elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann Grabar, Oleg. The Mediation of Ornament. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1992 Gabriela Germana Roquez, "El mueble en el Peru en el siglo XVIII...

Antique round copper bed warming pan with concentric circles of pierced holes in the lid and a simple cast iron handle.

Antique blue marbled chest from northern Sweden made during the late 1700s. The chest is very unusual and in untouched original condition. Made in pine with working lock and key. The...

A dark-brown, black antique German coffer made of hand crafted iron, particularized with griffins, torchères and tendril motifs on the wall and pinecone mode on the lid, in good condition. The small detailed decor piece represents the Empire time period...

The item on sale is an iron chest or casket suitable for arts and crafts or as a decorative object. It might have been made in Germany, England or Scottland. The box has been hand cr...

1930s wooden box with iron corners.

Vintage lidded iron match box with a rugged lid top to strike matches, circa 1970s. The box is in very good vintage condition and measures 4.25"W x 3.75"D...

Originally used as a safe or strong-box, this antique iron trunk remains a trustworthy vault for treasured possessions. Made in 19th century France,...

Very nice wrought iron lock box with lock and key. Great quality.  

French steel box from the 1930s. Green lacquered case with golden craquelé pattern. The cash register has a classic handle and a key to lock. Painted green in the interior and a shee...

A Chinese red lacquered blanket chest from the 20th century, with gilt décor depicting guardian lions, flowers, scrolling clouds and scholar objects, as well as yellow fabric lining ...

17th Century English Jacobean Carved Oak Bible Box. Period Jacobean solid dark oak bible box from the 17th century. The front is beautifully carved wi...

A fine Korean iron box that was traditionally used to store tobacco leaves dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The box is made from iron and has a heavy weight, although the wears along the edges of the lid and base exposes a bronze metal color underneath, indicating the iron metal may contains a high level of copper. The surface was beautifully decorated with elaborate silver inlay that covers the entire surface except the base. The extraordinary workmanship depicts a pair of deer within the circled square (shape of heaven and earth) and a lined background on the long sides and a crane with spread wings on the shorter sides. Both animals were associated with longevity. Their eyes were highlighted with copper inlay, adding a lively touch to the animation. The lid is centered with a Chinese character "Xi" (Paired-Hui in Korean), which means double happiness. (In Chinese culture, it is often used in a wedding ceremony). The large symbol was set on geometrical background of tightly scrolling diamond pattern surrounded by stylized Ruyi mushroom heads, another floral longevity symbol. Archaic fret cloud band borders the entire perimeters of the lid and the container. Tobacco was introduced to Korean in the first half of the 17th century and gradually gained popularity. When the tobacco was started being smoked in shredded form instead of rolled leaves, there rose the production of the smoking accessories, with some in fine quality as luxury items for the elite. The accoutrement such as this box is a fine example made in late Joseon dynasty, using extensive silver inlay, a technique called "jjoeum-ipsa", in which the silver wires were hammered into the scorched iron surface to create the elaborate design. Similar boxes with variation of shape and motifs are in the collection of several major museums. Compare the box with item Gu 754 in the National Museum of Korea; item 22.78 in MET NYC and M.240:1, 2-1926 in V& A Museum in London. The most closely related example we found is item C232 in the collection of the Museum of East Asian Art...

A Swedish blue and red painted pine-wood box from the Gustavian period or the early 19th Century. The hand painted flower decoration has still the remaining of the rococo period kind...

Old wrought iron umbrella stand. 19th Century French umbrella stand in painted and gilded wrought iron excellent condition. Measurements: 56 cm heigh...

FRENCH WROUGHT-IRON DOMED CHEST WINE STORAGE RACK Circa late 19th/early 20th century; for storing 28 bottles Item # 209GJY07K A fantastic and rather unusual wrought-iron wine storage rack styled as a domed chest, it features wide shaped straps welded to curved and squared bar with curled iron elements throughout. The front of the chest retains an early lock and key, opening and dropping down on hanging chains to give access to the 28 bottles of wine that can be stored inside. It retains a wonderful early surface with chaotic oxidization and the effects of rust throughout the overall green and blue-ish patina. Circa the late 19th to early 20th century. Measurements: 23" H x 14 1/2" D x 28 7/8" W Condition Report: In as-found rough antique...

Inlaid mother of pearl truck , the top with multiple cast iron studs and the corners feature an interesting pattern of tiny brass beads. The sides have wrought iron carrying handles ...

Beautiful handmade oak silver chest. It was made to hold valuables such as silver coins, jewels or maps. This was the precursor to the modern day safe. It is...

We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare small box of 27 Georgian keys of great importance The box is stamped to the top “Honble J.A Ellis” an...

Medieval patinated iron-mounted oak casket, 15th century A Continental Medieval patinated iron mounted oak wood box. 15th Century or earlier. Addition...

This rustic container was made over a hundred years ago to measure and hold a dou of rice, an ancient Chinese measurement. The rice measure has a square f...

This rustic container was made over a hundred years ago to measure and hold a dou of rice, an ancient Chinese measurement. The rice measure has a square f...

This rustic container was made over a hundred years ago to measure and hold a dou of rice, an ancient Chinese measurement. The rice measure has a square f...

Spanish wooden chest with original iron fittings.

Spanish wooden chest with original iron fittings.

This rustic container was made over a hundred years ago to measure and hold a dou of rice, an ancient Chinese measurement. The rice measure has a squ...

19th century ball-shaped iron box with hook for hanging.

Each of the four squares that make up this table center consists of four triangles forged between them to form a hollow in the shape of an inverted pyramid. The four squares are ass...

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

19th century ball-shaped iron box with hook for hanging and a lock.

This hand-crafted wood container dates to the early 20th century and was used to store rice and other grains. The lidded container has a rounded body with a short footed base, constr...

Black painted and gilt banded steel dispatch box with interior fitted for writing. The case has a lock, brass reinforced corners, and the sides are mounte...

The Eagles small coffer has rounded edges and is decorated with beautiful hand painted and Novo Hispanic motifs, all in shades of green.  

The small Mudejar coffer is decorated with stars using bone inlay, faux tortoiseshell and ebony. It also has a masterfully crafted iron lock.  

An original Thomas Milner sheet iron safety box / deed box, ruggedly constructed of sheet iron with soldered seams & fitted with twin hinged carrying handle...

A Swedish oak-wood box from the Gustavian period dated 1802. The richly carved box with scenes of a dog hunting a deer, doves flying and black grouses. Decorated with a pattern of ro...

A rustic Indian antique wooden treasure box from the 19th century, with iron braces, carved rosettes and petite feet. Created in India duri...

Entirely carved antique box for playing cards with inlaid, enameled miniature cards on top, ca 1880. If you are a collector of rare and stylish hand carved Black Forest antiques in ...

19th century ball-shaped iron box with hook for hanging and a lock.