English Decorative Boxes

In the Form of a Drum  From our Accessories collection, we are pleased to offer this Novelty Silver Plate Military Drum Biscuit Barrel. The Biscuit Barrel of novelty form in the sha...

4 piece cut crystal dresser set. The bottle measures 2 x 4.25, and has a lovely lid which has an inscription 30 April 1897. The hallmark is dated...

A large Edwardian shaped rectangular silver and tortoiseshell piqué box, the hinged lid with a dainty basket suspended from a bow with long ribbons entwined with flowering tendrils, ...

Hallmarked in London in 1903 by Guild of Handicrafts, this very attractive, Antique Sterling Silver Box, features an enamelled plaque on th...

Antique bulldog head wooden box, England, 1900.

With Bridge Game Contents From our Boxes collection, we are delighted to offer this Green Stained Shareen Bridge Games Box. The box of rectangular shape seated upon a plinth base w...

A lovely octagonal shape wooden box. The top with a striking inlay and a brass finial. Bun feet. The interior is three inches deep. English, turn of the century.

Here is this English silver plate art deco style round shape covered cigarette / tobacco box, a must have accessory for the discerning aficionado. This exquisite box seamlessly com...

A fine Arts & Crafts silver plated letter stand mounted with a Ruskin cabochon by Cambray Ware and dating from around 1905. The stylish stand has a hand p...

Edwardian desk matches box with crocodile leather. Beautiful and very unusual box, created in England during the Edwardian period, back in the 1905. This is a very decorative matc...

Nelson Dawson, probably made by his wife Edith Dawson. A rare Arts & Crafts silver bowl with a red enamel lid and a particular E Dawson floral decoration...

1905, England, Unusual and striking Edwardian letter box with leather sides. The curved top and base are mounted with scrolling sterling silver. T...

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...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver vesta box modelled in the form of a pig; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antique Edwardian sterling silver vesta box has been realistically modelled in the form of a pig. This impressive Edwardian vesta case is embellished with details replicating the features of the pig's skin and anatomical features. The back of the pig incorporates a hallmarked hinged cover with a textured match striker to the anterior surface. The interior of the cover of this exceptional silver box is gilded. Condition This antique Edwardian vesta case is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. Full hallmarks including the foreign manufacture mark struck to the underside of the body are very clear; the hallmarks are struck deeply due to the exceptional gauge of silver. The maker's mark has wear in keeping with location. Dimensions Length 7.6cm/3" Width 2.8cm/1.1" Height 4.6cm/1.8" Weight 1.7 troy ounces/53.7g Maker: Unknown Date: 1901 Origin: Chester, England Video: A video of this fine piece is available upon request. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this antique vesta box...

English tortoiseshell box. Ovoid shaped lidded snuffbox with integral handle of richly patterned tortoiseshell, England, circa 1900. Dimensions: 3.5...

A simple pine British Campaign box with traditional drop handles to the front and sides. Top lifts at the center for roomy storage. Would look right at th...

A romantic example of an Edwardian heart shaped trinket box made from a heavy thick piece of crystal beautifully cut in the ever-popular hobnail design with a star cut to the base. ...

Elegant English biscuit box with cut glass insert. The lid with a tapered finial handle and the body with elongated chain and post design. The oval stepped base resting on four bun f...

This carved English oak hearth box is carved on the top and three sides with Jacobean styled panels. The interior steel hinges are original and have the name “Baldwin” cast into the ...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver and enamel box in the Art Nouveau style; an addition to the ornamental silverware collection. This exceptional antique Edwardian sterling silver box has a plain circular form. The box is fitted with a subtly domed, hallmarked push fit cover, embellished with an exceptional hot enameled panel depicting a female character in the form of a water nymph, gazing through ripples and water lilies, all in the iconic Art Nouveau style; this is a highly desirable and collectable scene. The sides and underside of this Art Nouveau box are plain and unembellished. This impressive box was crafted by the London silversmiths Walter...

A stunning and rare Edwardian triple postage stamp box made from solid English sterling silver fully hallmarked for London 1909 together with the makers mark for the top notch silver...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian sterling silver and enamel flag vesta case; an addition to our maritime silverware collection. This antique Victorian sterling silver vesta case has a plain rectangular rounded form. The anterior surface is embellished with a central enamel design depicting British Navy Code of Signal flags: 'Blue Ball' - a white flag with a blue center, a red flag with a yellow St George's Cross and a blue field with a central horizontal white stripe. These flags represent the individual letters 'S', 'R' and 'J'; their combined definition is untraced. The posterior surface of this antique vesta case is plain and unembellished. This fine silver flag...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver jewelry casket made in the Art Nouveau style; an addition to the ornamental silverware collection. This exceptional Edwardian sterling silver jewelry casket has a rectangular form onto four cushion feet. The surface of this antique jewelry casket...

A wonderful and rare example of an English playing card box by the silversmith's, Grey & Co. Standing on the original four feet, all four panels retain the original bevelled glass protecting four original antique playing cards...

An exceptional, fine and impressive, rare antique Edwardian English 9-karat rose gold and enamel cigarette case; an addition to our diverse range of smoking related silverware. This exceptional antique Edwardian 9ct rose gold cigarette case has a plain rectangular form with rounded corners. This antique case has a subtly curved form proffering a comfortable fit in the majority of pockets. The anterior cover is ornamented with an impressive enamel panel depicting four jockeys riding horses in a race, with stands full of spectators in the background. The enamel panel is further embellished with the caption 'Cambridgeshire 1902'. The posterior cover is embellished with contemporary engraved inscriptions in the form of a business card, denoting: the telegraphic address 'Shamefaced, London', the telephone details 'No 112 Avenue, 9890 Central', the name 'E Israel', the job position 'Turf Commission Agent', in addition to the address '16 Philpot Lane E.C.'. The rounded sides of the cigarette case are plain and unembellished. This hallmarked antique cigarette case...

Birmingham Guild of Handicraft attributed, Arts & Crafts brass coal bucket with stylized hand-formed pomegranates. Retaining the original liner. The Birmingham Guild of Handicraft ...

A fine antique Victorian English sterling silver vinaigrette; an addition to our silver boxes collection This fine antique Victori...

Antique English mercantile or country store, or bakery "Flour" bin with painted faux wood grain. IDEA container for dog food, Makes for a great prop for your ...

Hallmarked in Sheffield in 1904 by Roberts & Belk, this stylish, Edwardian, antique sterling silver biscuit box, is cylindrical in shape, plain in style, standing on ball feet and fe...

This English biscuit box is circa 1909 by Huntley Palme. Flemish vase with decorative, colorful hand-painted front.

A silver gilt and jewelled pill box probably Austrian but with English import marks for London, 1905. Very fine quality with the silver gilt completely intact and mint within the box...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver and enamel box made by Liberty & Co Ltd in the Arts & Crafts style; an addition to our diverse range of antique silver boxes and cases. This exceptional Edwardian sterling silver and enamel box has a plain rectangular form. The body of this antique enameled box is plain and unembellished. This antique silver box is fitted with the original domed hinged hallmarked cover ornamented with an exceptional and impressive hand painted enamel panel depicting a river bank scene incorporating a plain beam bridge with a simple handrail. The enamel panel is encompassed with a paralleling scalloped border accented with rope twist ornamentation. The chamfered portion of the cover is further ornamented with an iconic Arts & Crafts style applied lobed border. The interior of the box retains the original gilding; this box can be refitted with a bespoke velvet jewelry box fitment upon request. This impressive antique silver box was crafted by the collectable silversmith Liberty & Co Ltd. Large Arts & Crafts style boxes with an enamel panel are uncommon and becoming increasingly rare to the market. Note: The majority of such boxes have a wood lining to the interior; it is a sign of quality when boxes have gilded, unlined interiors in addition to a solid silver cover. Condition This antique silver and enamel box...

A stunning coco de mer nut adorned with silver-plated mounts, showcasing two hinged compartments that gracefully open to reveal storage compartments. T...