Wood Decorative Boxes

Vizagapatam box, India, 19th century. This highly decorative and unusual Anglo-Indian table box features rustic workmanship that adds to the character and charm of this unique Sout...

A matching pair of English knife boxes offer mahogany construction with sloped top having an inlaid satinwood patera and opening to a divided interior 20thC. Measures - 15" x 9 3/8"...

Vintage Netturpetti Brass-Mounted Teak Dowry Jewelry Box, Kerala, India, Circa 1950 A beautifully handcrafted Netturpetti (Nettoor Petti), a highly collectible traditional Kerala do...

ABOUT A mid-century silver plated commemorative presentation box lined with sandlewood. The lid features a detailed emblem showcasing a relief depiction of an oil derrick and refine...

This is a box for the matcha powder using while tea ceremony in Japan. It is called 'Natsume'. It is made with wood. The design is a boat and it is hand painted. The material is with...

A fabulous example of a French fruitwood box carved beautifully carved into the form of a trunk. Look closely at the amazing detail, the side handles, the leather stitching, the l...

Set of three Regency Anglo Indian rosewood boxes with brass mounts. These graduated boxes nest into each other. Handsome and useful additions...

A Stunning Late Grand Tour Collectors Box 19th Century Mahogany & Ebony Pietra Dura Karlsbad, Germany. The Lid Is Decorated with Marble And Agate Geometric Motifs. With Continen...

Edwardian Period, sterling silver, wood-lined table box with hinged lid, having a black leather underside, London, year-hallmarked for 1912, William Comyns - maker. Etched stripes an...

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...

Vintage geometric inlaid wood box with a distinctive triangular form and bold marquetry patterning. The design combines a warm reddish-brown wood with lighter golden inlays arranged ...

An incredible Swedish hand-painted chest, having hand-forged iron straps and fittings. Original key included.

Micro Mosaic Persian Islamic Moorish Inlaid Jewelry Pen Box. 1950s Middle Eastern Moorish Inlaid Jewelry Trinket Mosaic Box. Handcrafted mar...

An English Georges III period walnut box from the early 18th century with slanted lid and brass hardware. This exquisite English George III period walnut box from the early 18th cent...

A beautiful antique Scandinavian bentwood box, known in Sweden as a Svepask, dating from the early 20th century and originating from the region of Västernorrland. Traditionally hand...

An Exceptionally Fine Quality French Napoleon III FRENCH NAPOLEON III Ebony Officers Campaign Style Traveling Writing Slope of outstanding quality and unusually large size. Made by ...

Beautiful modernist jewelry box designed and produced by J. Capo Esmaltes in Spain during the 1970's. This handcrafted woodbox with pink, blue and brown enamel details is a true work...

A whimsical and beautifully handcrafted decorative box featuring an elaborate faux birdcage design with richly layered decoupage, hand-painted details, and mixed-media embellishments...

Hand-engraved solid 800 silver Italian box with a wooden interior. The box's lid is completely hand-engraved with scrolls and flowers typical of the Italian Baroque style. In the cen...

Beautifully crafted extra large solid rosewood trinket box / humidor by Danish craftsman Alfred Klitgaard, circa 1960s. Very detailed construction and exquisite finish with a three g...

Maitland Smith Lidded Shagreen Box, c.1985.

Interesting and unusual box or trinket executed in teak and wenge wood and showcasing teal green, blue and white mini-tiles to all 4 sides and the lid. Unknown Scandinavian/Danish ma...

The sewing box dates from around 1930 and was made of solid cherry wood. The box can be extended in width on both sides, as can be seen in the photos. A very nice decorative object w...

Small Art Deco Brass and cut glass box vienna around 1920s Brass polished and stove enameled Original cut glass Original wood inside

Antique Japanese Lacquered Box. Offered is a beautifully detailed Japanese lacquered box that dates to the 1920's. This decorative box is artful...

Elegant, exotic, and unmistakably refined, shagreen has long captivated those with a discerning eye for luxury. Derived from stingray skin, this richly textured material first appear...

A Beautiful & Luxurious Handcrafted Victorian Bramah Fold-out Travelling Writing Companion With Fitted Leather Interior, Ceramic Blotting Tablets. Complete with Beautifully Desi...

In an era where craftsmanship was an intimate, measured pursuit, objects of daily utility were elevated to functional works of art. This handsome 18th-century European casket is a st...

A tromp l'oeil painted box in the manner of a georgian house. H. 10inches, W. 8 inches, D. 6.75 inches Good condition, but lacking lock.

Mounted with Silver From our Sewing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Solid Coromandel Anglo Indian and Silver Sewing Box. The Sewing Box of...

Unique mid century scandinavian box, made of teak wood.

A chic vintage wicker and linen jewelry or trinket box with a stepped, multi‑panel hinged lid, in the Modern style, circa late 20th century. Beautifully hand-crafted with geometric p...

Mid-20th century wooden box with silver bow/knot lid by french brand Hermès Paris By: Hermès Paris Material: fabric, silver, wood, leather, metal, silver plate Technique: cast, plat...

Handcrafted marquetry Moorish wood inlay micro mosaic with miniature hand painted scene. Handcrafted khatam wooden box with very delicate micro mosaic marquetry from the ancient Pers...

Mid 19th century English rosewood box with rounded brass edges, the top and front inlaid with brass lines and decorative devices in the corners. T...

from Tohoku area, Japan. Japanese antique small box tansu chest of drawers, Kohikidashi, made of Sugi Cedar. Product of circa 1850s-1870s (late Edo to early Meiji era), estimate from...

Fine George III parquetry tea caddy. Unusually fine quality with fire gilt rocaille handle and key escutcheon .Interior with two lids. From the estate of the founder of Yankee Candle...

Italian alp folk art box

Spanish Moorish Marquetry Walnut Trinket Box, Granada, circa 1940 An exquisite and highly decorative Spanish marquetry footed box, handcrafted in Gr...

Impressive antique Anglo Indian lidded box handcrafted in porcupine quills and ebony decorated with bone dots. The interior has nine bone decorated lidded compartments in a removable...

A finely crafted Japanese tabletop cabinet from the early 20th century, this compact storage piece is richly detailed with traditional decorative techniques and export-era flourishes...

There is a fantastical quality to this casket lockbox with its dramatic presentation. It has brass rings with lions' (or wolves) heads and a latch/escutcheon. The size and complexity of the latch suggest that it was designed to keep prying hands away. But it has a very interesting look that many people will like. The style and appearance suggest Continental origins, and appraisers say it was produced in the 18th century or earlier. The baroque casket...

A beautiful, rustic antique Indian merchant's cash box hand crafted out of teak and accented with brass corner brackets, handle and medallions. The key turns and the lid slides open ...

Vintage decorative rectangular lacquered walnut wood box with butterfly motif / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s Original mark at the felt base Length: 12 inc...

19th Century Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut Brass Bound Writing Slope With A Tooled Black Leather Scriver Slope will include A Single Glass Inkwell A vintage pen S moder...

19th century marquetry dresser box from England. This box is wonderful and the craftsmanship is stunning. The box is made of satinwood, and has marquetry and inlay made from mahogan...

A large hand-made model of an Alpine kitchen circa 1910, in a walled surround with canted corners and turned feet, having exquisitely detailed furniture, appliances and fittings craf...

Charming pair of vintage penguin sculptures by Maitland-Smith, handmade in the Philippines, circa 1980s. #5711 The whimsical pair features smoothly polished pale stone bodies accen...

An English letter box of serpentine knife box form, the sloping hinged lid inlaid with an oval conch shell paterae within crossbanded edges and fine...

Charming Italian Florentine Box. This 1960's box has been painted in soothing ivory white and could be used for storage or jewelry and would certainly look great on a coffee or side ...

19th century Anglo-Indian wooden box fitted with various compartments finely hand carved. The top is finely hand carved with the Taj Mahal. The interior with removable hand carved nine-lidded compartments, the front cover has a mirror, the whole exhibiting very fine workmanship. This fine late Victorian Anglo-Indian box from India is in great condition for it age. A beautiful example of an Anglo-Indian fine art...

Antique No. 20 machinist’s tool chest manufactured by the Pilliod Lumber Company of Swanton, Ohio. The portable chest features five graduated drawers crafted from quarter-sawn oak. ...

Japanese lacquered papier-mâché box with hand-painted decoration, Japan, 19th century. A refined black lacquered papier-mâché box adorned with a rich polychrome decoration depicting...

Maitland Smith Mother Of Pearl Box. Offered is a very large decorative box of tessellated mother of pearl in the geometric Art Deco styl...

Art Deco shagreen covered rectangular wooden box in pale grey, veneered on all exterior surfaces including the bottom.

Antique Victorian quality rosewood stationary box having a sloping front opening to reveal a fitted interior with set dividers with an engraved plaque to the top.

A Handsome Campaign Style Box with nice deep color and decorative brass mounts, top medallion and escutcheon (lacking a key). The inside lid and sides lined in dark green velvet, the bottom with vintage printed paper...

Wonderfully styled Art Deco cigar box with a internal concertina three tier cigar/ cigarette dispenser with chrome accents. Originates from France, in good vintage condition with no ...

Very fine 18th century Indian Macassar Ebony traveling writing box with Tutenag metal hardware, the vividly grained case with rare alloy trim, the rectangular form opening to make a ...

Vintage decorative matches box with enamel metal portraying a hot air balloon and mahogany wood insert / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1960s Length: 4.5 inches /...