Asian Decorative Boxes

An absolutely lovely Chinese export pink Canton enamel round stacking box and cover, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The circular stacking box consists of a bowl form base, ...

A small oval chinoiserie blue and white trinket dish with a lid. This piece is from China and was created in ceramic with blue paint. It is white, with a painted scenic design on the...

This is a good example of a traditional Japanese Hokai shell storage box for the Kai-awase game. This box is well-detailed in chased brass appliques and makie. The box is in overall ...

A seven-piece Japanese Arita Sweetmeat set and matching lacquer box, Meiji period (1880-1890). Comprising of a central hexagonal dish and six-fan shaped ...

Elegant and finely crafted rosewood and ivory inlay traveller's writing desk from the late Mughal period of British India (circa 1825), on low bun feet. In excellent condition, with ...

Anglo Indian carved mahogany cat with ebonized stripes and a curious expression, featuring a secret compartment on the bottom.

A Japanese covered silvered and enamel kogo or box for incense. The box is enameled with polychrome images of grape vines with berries made in the Plique a Jour technique on burgundy...

This exquisite rectangular boxes is masterfully crafted from antique shagreen, showcasing a unique cosmos pattern that elegantly marries modern design with classic luxury. It feature...

This exquisite set of two boxes by Kifu Paris showcases the luxurious craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail that the brand is renowned for. Handcrafted in black shagreen, ...

Beautiful MCM small brass lidded coffret style trinket box with chinoserie detail. The box depicts engraved scenes with a main motif of a sea ship on the upper lid and other scenes ...

Chinese Export 19th Century Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Sewing Box

Chinese eyeglass case of flattened tubular form with closed ends, sliding open in the center and made of papier mâché covered in natural grey shagreen.

An European Chinese export "Canton enamel" oval box, 18th century Qianlong, (1736-1795) An enamel box with floral decor made for the export for Euro...

Vintage Asian Silver Metal Hand-Carved Sitar Veena Box. Elevate your decor with this stunning vintage box, featuring intricate hand-carved designs of a sitar and peacock. The ornate ...

This is a small antique apprentice-piece chest. An Anglo-Indian, carved teak Colonial keepsake box, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880....

A pair of lovely Boxes in the style of Cinnabar. Intricately Carved small boxes with a removable lid, revealing a blue lacquer inside. Perfectly suited for decorative purposes or ...

Middle Eastern Moorish Mother of Pearl Inlaid Marquetry Jewelry Box. Exquisite middle Eastern Moorish Syrian inlay jewelry box covered with fine Moorish micro mosaic marquetry. Beaut...

This petite metal canister was once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. Providing an airtight seal, the small box is formed of brass with an etched and stamped d...

This antique decorative box is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from China, and date to approximately 1920 and done in a period Chinese...

Splendid and vintage Burmese Box, red lacquered and engraved, unusual size. O/5307 -

A fine and impressive Japanese gold maki-e decorated black lacquer five-tier jubako with presentation tray, two lids, and the original tomobako storage box, Meiji period, late 19th c...

An antique Chinese lunch box from the early 20th century, with a carved handle. Crafted in China during the early years of the 20th century...

A pyramid shaped box having 4 graduating drawers with brass ball knobs . Made of polished pen shell which is a material that the manufacturer Maitland Smith often used. All sitting u...

A petite 19th-century canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. Perfecting line and form, the small box has a balanced, oval form shaped of white brass (...

Anglo Raj inlaid marble pietra dura decorative box This handmade marble decorative box is inlaid with semi precious stones, this type of design is the same art that you see in the Taj Mahal. Very nice fine pietra dura art...

Intricately carved inro in the form of a woven basket. Quality craftsmanship. Opens into two pieces, held together with a rust-red silk string. Made of nat...

Lovely Chinese export cloisonné box made of brass and enameled with a beautiful mountain scene decoration in vibrant yellow color resting on ball feet. This chinoiserie box is marked...

The Black Shagreen Tissue Box by R&Y Augousti is a sublime expression of modern elegance and meticulous craftsmanship. Encased in luxurious shagreen, its textured finish exudes refin...

Two woven bamboo strip boxes, including one with leather details and geometric decorations, Dimensions: 1. 8.75" W x 4" H x 4" D 2. 5.75" W x 2.75" H x 2" D.  

Mid-20th century Yamanaka lacquerware sweets box for tea ceremony, Japanese. Formed as a deep black apple with gold & colored enamel decoration. Post WWII. Provenance: Sherman E. Lee...

A very fine Meiji period cloisonné box and cover with butterflies amongst foliage, attributed to Kawade Shibataro, the cover and sides finely worked with silver wire and coloured ena...

Wonderful Extra large Tessellated Travertine and Marble box by Maitland Smith. The hinged Travertine box is complemented by a burgundy border with brass inlays, The box sits on br...

Finely detailed champlevé scarab shape box with gilt wash interior. Traces of antique mirror on inner top. Rich colors of blue, turquoise purple finely enameled all around box.

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...

Water flowing over rocks creates a contrast between the sparkle of the water and the relative opacity of the rocks. In these boxes black lacquer pours over natural shells that glow a...

Presenting an astonishing Japanese Antique Carved Bone bamboo-form snuff bottle, museum quality. Dimension: 2.5" H x 1 " Dia. Condition: Excellent Condition

This exquisite set of round boxes by Kifu Paris, crafted from white shagreen, embodies understated luxury with its rich, matte texture that highlights the natural beauty of this exot...

An 18th/19th Century Chinese cinnabar circular box with multiple cartouches of Families. This is a marvelous piece with very fine details on the main top panel of the box. The top pa...

This is an antique Campaign correspondence box. An Anglo-Indian, teak and brass bound Colonial traveller's writing case, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Captivati...

Early 19th century Russian stained and hand-carved Bone Table Casket Kholmogory Box, veneered with panels of foliate engraved stained bone alternating with geometric and foliate fret...

The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...

A wonderful Japanese lacquer incense box, kogo, with a design of plovers in flight, late Momoyama or early Edo Period, circa 1600, Japan. The small box, called a kogo, was used to s...

A simple, yet elegant Octagon box hand crafted of Malachte. The box has a removable lid and is as functional as it is decorative A complement on a night stand, in a grouping of oth...

This is an antique presentation box. A Japanese, lacquered lidded case with hand painted Oriental decor, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Superb Japanese interest wi...

A small and lovely Chinese black ground cloisonne box with peony design, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The small cloisonne box raised on four bun feet, and decorated with a design of blossoming peony against a black enamel ground inlaid with geometric wire work in the "wan" pattern. The large blooms of peony depicted in pleasing shades of red, pink, and yellow enamel, with leaves of dark and light green enamel. The colored enamels pop against the black cloisonne...

1920s Hand Painted East Indian Decorative Box. An antique Rajasthani Indian hand painted wood box, early 20th century. The box is handcrafted of wood and feature a hinged lid that can be opened and closed to access the contents inside. Hand painted colorful Indian box with lid depicting human figures and flowers. Style: Anglo Raj, Paint, Wood, Hand-Crafted Place of Origin: India. Anglo Raj Vintage Wooden Box Hand Painted Indian Chest Trinket 1920s. Large Trinket Box Folk Art Hand Painted Colorful Asian Jewellery Chest...

This is a fine antique shotgun carry case. An Indian State Railway gun box in teak and brass, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Rich with historic charm and superb cra...

A beautiful colorful decorative box with a lid created from Carrara marble and inlaid with a variety of semi-precious stones. The sides are inlaid with a variety of stones in abstrac...

Beautiful Japanese hand painted porcelain decorative trinket, pill or jewelry box or serving dish of Meiji period. The decoration cons...

Beautiful blue Lapis Lazuli and Carrara marble stone jewelry box. Created from genuine blue Lapis Lazuli, this box is low in profile and rectangular in form. This lovely jewelry or trinket box features a lid that fits onto its base. Both of which are completely covered in this beautiful blue stone. The interior of the box's base and lid, are created using Carrara marble. The lid features stays, which retrofit into the base, and allow the top to hold to the base without sliding or moving. The exterior is flanked with the gorgeous richly hued blue lapis lazuli. How we would style it: This blue stone box...

Large Chinese black lacquered box with numerous figures and gilt detail. Chinoiserie round black lacquer and gilt painted box, made for the export market. The round black lacquer box is decorated with a beautiful scene in gilt painting. The lid of the box painted in the shanshui style, with an idyllic outdoor setting with river and mountain, Chinoiserie style landscape with architectural Asian decor, landscape figures of women in traditional kimonos, young boys playing near a river looks like a Chinese festival with food offering. The landscape studded with trees and vegetation, and some small pagodas...

Vintage Sajai metal and agate talisman box coin purse, Handmade in India, Handmade Sajai metal cross body purse with multi-colored agates and intric...

Charming Anglo Indian box crafted in tropical hardwood. Clad in tessellated bone and hand decorated with shrubbery, tools and windows.

The "Melting Box" by R&Y Augousti is a masterful creation, combining luxurious materials and elegant design into a functional work of art. The top of the box is meticulously crafted ...

Openwork teak box made in India at the end of the 19th century. The interior is lined with velvet. Over the course of its long history, this box has sometimes been glued back togethe...

Rectangular penwork decorated veneer on sandalwood box. The top with a double border centering a floral cartouche, the four sides with wide leafy borders to top and bottom. Fitted wi...

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...

A small antique Chinese late Qing Dynasty period blanket chest from the early 20th century, with yellow lacquer, brass hardware and dovetail construction. Created in China during the...