Metal Decorative Boxes

Early Japanese Lacquer Incense Box (Kogo) Late 17thc. Of rectangular form with soft corners, decorated with a diaper pattern in gold lacquer on a brownish black ground, with pewter r...

An Edwardian Huntley & Palmers Lithographed Book Form Biscuit Tin. Priced per box. Center one sold. Red ones available.

A sublime box handcrafted by American silversmith, John Prip, comprising a hollowed and polished granite river stone inset with rim and finished with a handwrought lid, both in sterl...

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...

Large 1980's Dunhill style ribbon mahogany humidor / document / art box, with brass hinges. Fully lined with wood interior.

French Victorian (19th Cent) small porcelain Sevre oval box with bronze lid and pink & white decoration and interior with flowers (signed on bottom).  

Early 20th Century Art and Craft glass box, edged with brass belts forming a chest shape circa 1900 Acid-etched mark B Exterior dimensions: Height : 6cm Width : 18cm Depth : 10cm In...

Fine solid brass dresser valet in Equestrian theme with Horseshoe form arbor having horseshoe nail hanging pegs, a central top hook for a pocket watch, f...

Beautiful antique 18th century French bread box made of hammered cooper richly decorated with crown, flags guarded by animals and large bourbon lily i...

A magnificent, fine and impressive, rare antique Victorian English sterling silver vesta box modelled in the form of a boar; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This magnificent antique Victorian cast sterling silver vesta box has been realistically modelled in the form of a boar. This impressive antique vesta case is embellished with details replicating the features of the boar's coat of fur and anatomical features. The back of the boar incorporates a hallmarked hinged cover which opens to reveal the serrated panel/match striker. The secondary hallmarked hinged panel opens to reveal the original gilt interior; this is faciliated with a thumbpiece modelled in the form of the boar's tail. Such magnificent period examples are rare and becoming increasingly difficult to locate. Condition This antique Victorian vesta box is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. Full hallmarks struck to the underside of the body, in addition to part hallmarks to the interior of each hinged cover are very clear; the hallmarks are struck deeply due to the exceptional gauge of silver. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this antique vesta box...

This handsome leather studded trunk with antique brass nailheads is a 20th Century American piece which is a decorative object or makes an incr...

French Victorian bronze and glass bottom box on four legs with small gallery top and round miniature of lady.      

French Bauche Safe / Money box / Fire box. Originates from the 19th century. Very solid and heavy. Original inside. Original Lock. Dimensions: 39L x 22H x...

Furstenberg Germany vintage flower round gold leaf trinket plate Perfect gift for your special someone. Dimensions: Diameter 10 cm (3.93 inches) A s...

Ottaviani Italian Playing Card Box in polished walnut, designed as an elegant double sliding case. Each lid is decorated with embossed silver panels featuring a stylized female profi...

This 20th-century wooden case is a genuine gem for enthusiasts of plein-air art sessions. Handcrafted in Germany, the suitcase is protected by metal corners that accentuate its plato...

Edwardian Rococo gilt sterling silver keepsake box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1903. Upward tapering with reeded mouth rim and curved bottom; foot ring. Applied rose garla...

Description: Guilloche gilt silver pill box, beveled corners and appliqué as a clasp. Metal: Silver. Origin: French. Brand: Carraça. Weight: 25.78 grams. Dimensions: 4.9cmx1.1cm...

Box designed by Nils Fougstedt. Produced by Firma Svenskt Tenn, this example made in 1953. Made from pewter with brass edges. Good vintage condition with age related patina and wear....

English Regency Mahogany monumental wine cellarette with a gadrooned step back hinged lid, canted gadrooned exterior sides, interior locking mechanism, flanking figural dolphin feet...

An impressive Antique Solid Silver Box with a round body and a fitted hinged lid. The Box is embellished on both the lid and sides with ornate...

The Hermes shopping bag, by Jonathan Seliger, 2014. Jonathan Seliger makes meticulous reproductions/ interpretations of mass produced objects and container...

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...

Vintage pair of Jewelry boxes is an original decorative object realized in the mid-20th century. Original mixed media: Wood, brass and colored jems. Made in Italy. Various D...

A highly unusual and exquisitely crafted French egg-form covered box, attributed to Baccarat and dating to the mid-to-late 19th century, composed of luminous white opaline crystal an...

Sevres porcelain box octagonal format Hand painted and signed on its base perfect condition Origin France Circa 1900 its mount is gilded bronze.

Simple, yet sophisticated, Swedish Grace pewter box by Ingvar Bossler for Gamleby Tenn, Västervik, Sweden. The company Gamleby Tenn started in the...

An outstanding English 19th century Gilt Metal and Velvet box. This wonderfully decorative box is raised by a flat base decorated with swaging foliate garlands leading to the body di...

Ottavia Box in Glossy Horn, Ebony Veneer & Aida Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 13 x W 13 x H 11 cm. Materials: Glossy horn, ebony veneer, and Aida...

Made in Florence, Italy in the early years of this century, this large rectangular Mauritian-style box named "Bernini" a was made entirely by hand by skilled Florentine artisans. Th...

This stunning Art Deco decorative cookie box or candy jar, with a serving bowl insert, was crafted in France in the 1930s. Its modernist design boasts a chromed metal and wood holder...

This Antique Carved Cinnabar Box. China. Early 20th Century with Dragon Cover and date to approximately 1920. The box is composed of brass with a vibrant blue enamelled interior and ...

Description: Piggy bank in rosewood in the shape of a mouse with silver applications and the phrase "My savings". Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: boar II Title. Weight: 240...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V sterling silver biscuit box; an addition to the ornamental silverware collection This exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver biscuit box has a circular rounded form onto a circular spreading foot. The body of the antique biscuit box...

The Malcolm Appleby Shooting Companion is a breathtaking collaboration with master engraver, Dr Malcolm Appleby MBE. A striking pairing of Britain's Cr...

Description: Silver pill box with Portuguese coin in the removable lid. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Eagle Head. Weight: 49.07 grams. Dimensions: 4x1.5cm. Content: 8...

Early 18th century Italian carved and dovetailed walnut alms box, circa 1725 Large dovetails and old handwrought nails give this small scale box a hea...

Description: Silver and gold vinaigrette box with smooth lid from the Victorian period. Metal: Silver - Gold. Origin: English. Brand: London. Weight: 17.63 grams. Dimensions: 3.3x1cm...

Antique French dore bronze 2nd Empire stamps box, Napoleon III Era, circa 1850s.

A delightful and most charming Continental 19th century etched Crystal and Ormolu box. This wonderful lidded ruby red Crystal box features diagonal checkerboard etching on the unders...

Description: Silver vinaigrette box with reliefs on the lid and gold interior from the Victorian period. Metal: Silver. Origin: English. Brand: Birmingham. Weight: 13.19 grams. Dimen...

Antique English Brass Banded Rosewood Box on Stand, Circa 1880.

Like all Fornasetti accessories, the boxes turn an everyday action into an aesthetic experience. The Fornasetti boxes are a whimsical place to keep your most precious items. This ...

Arquette inspired by 17th century models. Silver, Spain, 20th century Rectangular casket made of silver in its color, with four legs in the corners in the form of roll and finished ...

Continental Baroque style gilt bronze mounted enamel box, Late 19th century The square hinged top decorated overall with mythical figures. Measures: Height 3.5 in., 11.4cm (4 1/2"...

Piaget Italy Silver Rare Jewelry Box. Decorative Vintage Piaget Box 1970s Piaget silver signed. Impressed marked on edge of the frame: Piaget - 800 - 309 FI. Elegant Piaget Silver D...

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...

A late Georgian pitch pine crate that would off originally been used for transporting a dog on a carriage. In wonderful original condition, with its original green painted finish tha...

French Victorian silver plate floral and acorn filigree humidor box with scalloped edge.  

Antique handcrafted grain or flour bin with a lift top, circa 1870. This is a beautiful, rustic bin crafted of solid wood planks with bracket feet and a hinged top displaying a desi...

Description: Circular silver pill box with an image of Our Lady of Fátima engraved on the removable lid. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Cabeça de àguia do Porto. Weight: 4...

Antique 800 Silver Bonboniere / Sugar- Lidded box Half moon & crown - Germany - 800 Silver Flowers, Putto & Children ornament - inside gilded stand on 4 feet Weight: 372 gr...

Beautiful Biedermeier Jewelry or Make-up box from South Germany circa 1830. Inside with hinged mirror. A long drawer at the bottom front. Restored and hand-polished with shellac.

A 1920s or 30s concealed box for personal smalls - secrets. It is made in the shape of a naturally sized book (16x13x2 cm). It will slide un-noticed into your book shelf unit. It has...

Hallmarked in London in 1913 by Finnigans Ltd., this antique, George V, sterling silver box is decorated with engine-turned engraving and scattered fleur-de-lis motifs, and features ...

Veletta Tissue Box Holder in Horn, Chromed Brass & Glossy Ebony by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 14 x W 26 x H 7 cm. Materials: Glossy ebony, horn, and chromed brass. Available in three fi...

Pewter jar by Sylvia Stave, in a strict simplistic design, contrasted with an adorable elephant on the lid.

Elegant vintage brass box featuring a raised silver medallion depicting a detailed bird and floral motif. The contrast between the warm golden brass and cool silver relief adds sophi...

This is a fine example of an early 20th C rectangular bronze betal nut box with beautiful and elaborate silver inlay from Mindanao in the Philippines. The box has a handle on each si...

Description: Silver gilt-silver toiletry box with high trim and two interior compartments, decorated with five blue cabochons and a padlock mesh chain. Metal: Silver. Origin: French....