Silver Decorative Boxes

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...

Italian silver box raised on 4 feet, 1970s Italian silver box in curvy octagonal shape with repousse design of flowers and scrolls The purity de...

A superb rectangular silver snuff box, masterfully crafted in in the early 20th century, featuring exquisitely chased and repoussé decoration. The hinged lid is richly adorned with s...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique French silver vesta case in the form of a mussel; an addition to our diverse smoking related silverware collection This exceptional antique French silver vesta case has an elongated asymmetrical form, realistically modelled in the form of a mussel shell. The anterior and posterior surfaces of the vesta are embellished with engraved decoration replicating the contours of the natural shell. This fine antique silver vesta...

Rectangular/octagonal table box in 925 silver. The box was completely handmade in Florence at the end of the last century. Engraved with floral and abstract motifs, it has been fin...

A nice example of a Victorian English vanity traveling case. It is crafted of rosewood and features glass containers with sterling silver tops and utensils with mother of pearl handl...

Elizabeth II sterling silver box. Made by Padgett & Braham Ltd in London in 1963. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with gently curved top and tapering tab. Interior ...

Blackington Sterling Silver and Guilloché Enamel Box with Mirrored Lid, Circa 1920s A luminous sterling silver and guilloché enamel bo...

Hallmarked in Sheffield in 1928 by James Dixon & Sons, this stylish, George V period, Sterling Silver Biscuit Box, is in the art deco taste and hexagonal in shape. The biscuit bo...

Small Dutch 19th Century Silver Lodderein or Snuff Box by Dirk de Gilde Koppenol A Lodderein box or a snuff box in rectangular shape with filigree motif The Silversmith is Dirk de ...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Elizabeth II English sterling silver cigar box made by Padgett & Braham Ltd; an addition to ...

A fine Cartier compact case in Art Deco style, circa 1930s. Sterling silver with gold gilt interior. The exterior features engraved line pattern that r...

18th Century Green Shagreen and Silver Eyeglass Case with Monogram England or France, circa 1760–1780 Dimensions: 5" H × 2.5" W × 0.5" D Interior measures 3"d x 1.25 w A refined G...

Rectangular table box with rounded corners in sterling silver 925/1000 gold plated with a beautiful hand-engraved and fire-enamelled frame and in the center a beautiful hand painted miniature by the painter Beatrice Mellana reproducing the painting by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres "Odalisque with slave". Dimensions cm. 9.5 x 12.3 x 3.3. Weight gr. 671. Designed by Giorgio Salimbeni in 1979 and manufactured in Florence in numerous specimens with various subjects and different colors, in the headquarters of the Salimbeni Company with completely manual execution by artisan artists with thick slab and large reinforcements suitable for withstanding numerous enamelled firings at about 800° C. Miniature is a very ancient technique which consists of painting works in small proportions. It was born for the decoration of the first letter of the paragraph of the books. Over the years, however, this technique is refined and enriched, then moving on to precious personal items. hand painted miniatures can be done with multiple different techniques. The most important that we use on our articles are of three kinds: 1) Fire enamel. 2) Water tempera on an ivory plate. 3) Painted on mother-of-pearl. Fire enameled miniatures: On a first layer of enamel generally white or very clear or even transparent suitably liquefied at a temperature of about 750 ° C, the chosen subject is painted using miniature...

Gorgeous trinket box or powder jar featuring an ornate scroll and lattice design sterling silver overlay over a pretty pink porcelain. The mark on the bottom is not legible.

A fine antique signed silver Art Nouveau cigarette & cigar themed matchsafe. By R. Blackinton & Co. In sterling silver. With repousse depictions to both sides of the faces and he...

Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1904 by Adie & Lovekin, this attractive, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Card Case, opens like a purse and is engraved on both sides with swirled a...

Elizabeth II sterling silver box. Made by Peter Nicholas & Co Ltd in London in 1989. Rectangular with corner bracket supports and hinged open scroll end handles. Cover hinged and fla...

Offered is a stunning Sheffield silver keepsake box dating to 1900, with associated hallmark. This small box includes a clean interior and rounded corners. The box is free of names or initials, but would have been used to house keepsakes such as jewelry or cufflinks. A well maintained, elegant piece, this antique silver box is an excellent addition to any silver collection. Trinket or keepsake boxes have taken on many forms since their first conception in ancient times. However their purpose remains the same; to store jewelry and other items precious to the owner. Originally, these boxes were used specifically for jewelry. These were in common use as early as 5000 BC in Ancient Egypt, when the majority of Egyptians, both male and female, wore jewelry. Boxes were used to keep these gemstone encrusted items safe. In Ancient Rome, jewelry was a status symbol. Rings and brooches were utilized to represent ones status in society. Again, boxes were needed for security and storage purposes. Finding early examples of these are quite rare. Victorian and Edwardian examples of trinket boxes are far more common. This is because owning jewellery was a luxury until the Victorian era- let alone possessing so much a box was needed to store it all. Fine jewelry and other items became available to the masses after the industrial revolution due to the reduction in production costs. This led to a demand for trinket boxes, which were much smaller than jewelry boxes and therefore better suited to the needs of the middle class who did not yet possess an abundance of jewelry. In Victorian households, collectables and other items of interested were also stashed inside these boxes. This is why they are known as trinket or keepsake boxes, rather than just jewelry boxes, although of course jewelry was also stored in them. Trinket boxes were produced in large numbers around this time. Many were lined with colored plush or velvet or rich wood. More elaborate designs had interior divisions and trays for rings and other pieces of jewellery. It was also common to see trinket boxes so small that they could only contain one item, such as a single ring. Ornate exteriors were created to reflect the value of the trinket boxes contents. The Edwardian era saw the introduction of new styles of trinket box. These included small circular or oblong boxes...

Large egg on smooth tripod with 8-day mechanical skeletal Swiss movement with alarm, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché with Russian E...

Dutch 833 standard silver scent box, 1873 hallmarked. A "loderein", aka sponge box for applying perfumed water with a sponge or cotton ball kept inside. Now useful for peppermints, s...

Art Deco period Puiforcat, a square covered biscuit box, cut crystal, sterling silver lid, jadeite handle. The piece is fully stamped and hall marked. The craftmanship is exquisite, ...

For your consideration, a vintage Hollywood Regency Godinger box or safe keep tin.Faux bamboo. Silver plated. Stamped from the maker present. Dimensions: 4.88" H x 5. 14" W x 4.25"...

Mexican silver box with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay. Lid opens to a wood lined interior. Very nicely done and a really beautiful object!

1940s Art Déco silver-plated metal cylindrical container with twisted rope ornamentation by Jean Després, France By: Jean Després Material: metal, silver, silver plate Technique: ca...

This impressive Italian sterling box would work as a jewelry box, cigarette box as well as a trinket box. Signed Buccellati.

Large round pillbox in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine fire-enamelled engraving in two colours, in Florentine Renaissance style. Diameter cm. 5 cm high. 2. Weight gr. ...

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Antique French perfume box in tulipwood surmounted by a Sevres style porcelain plaque, dating to the mid nineteenth century during the Napoleon III period, ...

Ladies' handbag cigarette case with an oval section in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on a guilloché and a monochrome, hand-painted miniature of a landscape, in the E...

A stylish Art Deco silver and white porcelain box in very good conditions. It has been designed and manufactured in the Thirties by Pirkenhammer, it's marked on the bottom. The box i...

An exceptionally rare Irish George III hand cut full lead crystal single tea caddy of rectangular outline with canted corners and outstanding quality, first quarter of the nineteenth century. The finely chased silver mounted rim and hinged cover, hand cut with three bands of lozenges on a plain ground, decorative star cut base underneath. Condition: Exceptional condition for such an early piece, with no losses or clouding inside, silver mounts are unmarked but test positive for silver. Wonderful age wear underneath on base. Lock is present but key does not turn. Back and front views are similar. Measures: Height: 5.25” (13.5cm). Width: 3.75” (9.5cm). Depth: 3” (7.5cm). Location: Dublin City, Ireland. Stunning and rare Tea Caddy...

another piece from my personal collection. wonderful handmade cigarette case from china. made by an unknown artist and retailed by the company woshing / shanghai. the stamp dates the...

Offered is a stunning silver plated keepsake box dating to 1900, with associated hallmark. This small box includes a wooden interior with two slots and a blank square on top where initials could have been engraved. A well maintained, elegant piece, this antique silver box is an excellent addition to any silver or home decor collection. Trinket or keepsake boxes have taken on many forms since their first conception in ancient times. However their purpose remains the same; to store jewelry and other items precious to the owner. Originally, these boxes were used specifically for jewelry. These were in common use as early as 5000 BC in Ancient Egypt, when the majority of Egyptians, both male and female, wore jewelry. Boxes were used to keep these gemstone encrusted items safe. In Ancient Rome, jewelry was a status symbol. Rings and brooches were utilized to represent ones status in society. Again, boxes were needed for security and storage purposes. Finding early examples of these are quite rare. Victorian and Edwardian examples of trinket boxes are far more common. This is because owning jewellery was a luxury until the Victorian era- let alone possessing so much a box was needed to store it all. Fine jewelry and other items became available to the masses after the industrial revolution due to the reduction in production costs. This led to a demand for trinket boxes, which were much smaller than jewelry boxes and therefore better suited to the needs of the middle class who did not yet possess an abundance of jewelry. In Victorian households, collectables and other items of interested were also stashed inside these boxes. This is why they are known as trinket or keepsake boxes, rather than just jewelry boxes, although of course jewelry was also stored in them. Trinket boxes were produced in large numbers around this time. Many were lined with colored plush or velvet or rich wood. More elaborate designs had interior divisions and trays for rings and other pieces of jewellery. It was also common to see trinket boxes so small that they could only contain one item, such as a single ring. Ornate exteriors were created to reflect the value of the trinket boxes contents. The Edwardian era saw the introduction of new styles of trinket box. These included small circular or oblong boxes...

Victorian Period, sterling silver, heart-form trinkets box having a hinged lid and gilded interior, Birmingham, England, year-hallmarked for 1895, James Aitchison - maker (by Appoint...

Description: Silver and gold vinaigrette box with hardstone application on the lid. Metal: Silver - Gold. Origin: American. Mark: Absent. Weight: 21.16 grams. Dimensions: 3.2x1.5cm. ...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George III sterling silver biscuit box; an addition to the Georgian silverware collection. This exceptional, fine and impressive antique ...

Oval-shaped snuffbox in 925/1000 gold-plated sterling silver with two-tone fire-enamelled stripes. English style, early 1900s. Dimensions: 8 x 4.5 x 2 cm. Weight: 84 g. Designed in 1...

Modern sterling silver box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1912. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with gently curved top and molded rim. Box interior cedar lined....

Beautifully crafted of hammered silver -- now with a soft, old silver patina -- enamel and rosewood, this exceptional decorative box depicts a wildly imaginative crane-like bird with...

An Important French Renaissance Revival Covered Box, Crafted in Silver and Mounted with Lapis Lazuli Panels, Gilt Bronze Figures, and Jeweled Cabochons. The piece is signed in two lo...

Carved silver box, 20th century. Small silver box carved with a great variety of motifs, all belonging to different artistic traditions based on Ro...

Segmented silver box with a mahogany interior, and two slots. Likely designed to hold cards.

A fine Art Deco period silver & enamel covered box. In sterling silver. By Tiffany & Co. Decorated throughout with enameled vines, flowers, and garlands in green, blue, and yellow...

A fine signed vintage silver box. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. In the form of a pear. With a gold wash to the interior. Marked to the base. Simply wonderful Tiffany...

1960s, Sweden. This elegant rosewood box features a sterling silver inlay and is marked “925S Hans Hansen Sterling Denmark” on the bottom.

A fine Korean iron box with intricate silver inlay dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The body of the box is made from iron of a heavy weight although the wear on t...

An antique English sterling silver and cut-glass vanity, dresser, or bath/powder room jar box, Victorian period, circa late-19th century, England. The sterling silver top/lid has a r...

Austrian Biedermeier silver gilt casket, 1846. Bellied, lobed, and rectangular. Hinged cover same and concave with raised center and swing-mounted scroll bracket cast handle with flowers. Hardstone mounts including porphyry and lapis lazuli as well as cabochon jewels. On front two turquoise cabochon...

Art deco Trompe L'œil enameled box by Louis Kuppenheim. This is a beautiful decorative box, created in Germany during the art deco period, back in the 1925. This superb elegant box ...

Early 19th Century German 13 Loth Silver Repoussé Landscape Box, Hanau, Circa 1820 Measures: 2.25" W x 1.5" D x 0.75" H / 62 Grams A finely worked small silver box crafted in 13 l...

A scarce fine quality antique silver-inlaid solid brass betel nut box (Lutuan), dating to the second half of the 19th / early 20th century, hand-crafted in Mindanao, Philippines. Boxes such as this were used to store the areca nut (also known as the betel nut) which would be wrapped in a betel leaf with lime paste and other ingredients, often tobacco, for chewing. Similar to the European tea caddy, these boxes often served as a way to impress while showing off ones wealth. Betel chewing was prevalent in the southern Philippines as in much of the rest of Southeast Asia. Wealthier Maranao families on Mindanao were able to afford elaborate silver-inlaid brass betel boxes such as this example. Such boxes were used to show off to guests and from which they were offered betel and the other component such as leaves and lime to make up the betel quid. Rare large size, most extant examples of such boxes tend to measure around 5 inches in length. At slightly more than 7.75 inches the example here is larger than most. The distinctive decorative box features a very heavy strong-box like rectangular shaped chest form with canted corners, copper handles, and a conforming hinged lid, lifting open to reveal an interior divided into three compartments covered by four hinged lids. Each of these doors is inlaid with silver in stylized orchid flower patterns. Exceptionally executed throughout, the arabesque silver inlaid exterior is decorated to the top with a large orchid motif within scrolling obid-obid (stylized rope) borders. The front, back and sides are inlaid with sets of stylized tail feathers of the sari-manok bird beneath which are unusual, highly stylized whimsical zoomorphic faces that appear like cat or tiger faces. (Such stylisation is accounted for by Southeast Asian Islamic preferences to avoid the overt and this potentially idolatrous representation of animal and human forms. Designs such as these are drawn from a local design repertoire that has its origins in wood carving. Although the spread of Islam in the Philippines began in the 14th century, mostly through the influence of Muslim merchants from the western Malay Archipelago, decorative arts in this design remain exceptionally rare. This lutuan represents a fine example of Islamic metalwork from the most eastern outreach of Islamic art and civilisation: Mindanao island being significantly further east than even China – artwork from Islamic Southeast Asia remains chronically under-represented in the world’s major collections of Islamic art. PROVENANCE / ACQUISITION Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, established 1983, Austin, Texas. References Brownrigg, H., Betel Cutters...

Oval pill box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fired enamels, and a miniature horse's head hand-painted by the painter Romano Buccioni. With raised beaded decoration. Vie...

Stunning French Modernist Silver-Plated Box, circa 1960 This exceptional modernist box, expertly crafted in France around 1960, is a rare and refined example of mid-century design. M...

Description: Silver pill box with fluted hinged lid. Metal: Silver. Origin: European. Brand: Unknown. Weight: 19.95 grams. Dimensions: 4x3cm. Content: 925/1000. Assay Mark: Ye...

Elegant handcrafted pill box made in Taxco, Mexico, circa 1970s. Created by Villalobos, this petite sterling silver box features a domed lid inlaid with iridescent abalone shell arra...

Unique silver box by K Anderson Stockholm Sweden 1932 signed K anderson and has all the embossed with all stamps for Swedish silver. This unique model probably custom made by K Ande...

Vintage Conus seashell box with sterling silver mounts - side hinge - unidentified hallmarks to the interior (.925 silver) - Italy (Florence - likely) - m...

A set of three hand made sterling silver pill cases or trinket boxes, Navajo, Native American – circa 1930s. The boxes are decorated with ...

George VI sterling silver box. Made by Robert Pringle & Sons in London in 1939. Rectangular with curved corners. Cover hinged and tabbed; top has engine-turned wave ornament and rect...

Baroque-style round box. The body and lid of the box are engraved with scrolls, typical of the Baroque style. To highlight this workmanship, a knurling, that is, a dense hammering, w...