Southeast Asian Decorative Boxes

Antique Silver Pumpkin Betel Box Asian Cambodian Very nice fine high quality piece in 900 silver 8 x 6 x 6 cm weight 52 grams approx. good Condition Fine PLEASE SEE PHOTOS FO...

Large cast bronze, brass and crackled tiger penshell crocodile and dragonfly box / sculpture by Maitland Smith, circa 1990s. This hard to find piece is in very good vintage condition...

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 skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The set of 4 pedestal boxes are the perfect home accents to add elegance and functionality to your space. These can be used as a vanity set for your bathroom, in your office to store desk...

Antique Laotian silver betel boxes and lime container group Laotian silversmiths are renowned for their high quality workmanship Round silver boxes ...

In our workshop we apply eggshell lacquer to many things mostly using the inside of the eggshell. The mosaic pattern is achieved with a cracking motion using the ends of pointed tool...

1960s hand-painted gold and black lacquer owl nesting boxes. Larger box is signed on the underside "handmade in Burma".

Charming vintage lidded box crafted in mahogany ambitiously hand decorated with seashells highlighted with a brass shell handle and four shell feet. Signed Maitland Smith on the bottom.

This exquisite set of two boxes in black oak offers a sophisticated and modern touch to any decor. Each box, one oval and one rectangular, is carefully crafted from rich black oak, b...

Vintage Hollywood Regency large Maitland-Smith style tessellated Tan / Coral marble with brass trim pill form decorative box with removable lid and lined felt interior. In fine condi...

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...

Like an ancient pebble or river-rock that has been tumbled for centuries to polish and reveal its alluvial layers. Hand-turned solid oak box enveloped in lacquered eggshell marquetry.

A striking vintage decorative box by Maitland-Smith, showcasing the brand’s signature use of exotic materials and refined craftsmanship. The surface features a bold harlequin pattern...

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 craf...

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 skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Dandy Box is a chic accent piece for your home. The piece is lined with a removable velvet tray...

This decorative box is crafted using traditional straw marquetry, with handwoven straw carefully arranged in a subtle ombré gradient to create depth and tonal variation. The geometri...

This decorative box is crafted using traditional straw marquetry, with handwoven straw carefully arranged in a subtle ombré gradient to create depth and tonal variation. The geometri...

Mid-Century Modern architectural tessellated box by Maitland Smith. Both form and function best describe this piece. We see this decorative box holding favorite trinkets as well as s...

This is a wonderfully simple yet beautiful tessellated stone veneered trunk. The manufacturing tag is still on the underside of the trunk and reads "Alexvale Furniture, Inc/ Philippines// item number///date. The featured stone specimens have been placed closely together and their sizes range from about 1" x 3" to 2"x 5" of different sizes. Different shades of beige dominate the color scheme while subtle hints of grey, yellow , and orange can be seen throughout the piece. Fine brass inlays run vertically on the top and front of the trunk. A brass inlaid circle...

Your powder room may be small, but that doesn't make it and less deserving of extravagant ornamentation. This navy blue leather tissue box cover is nothing short of exceptional, fully wrapped in leather and bone on a base of sycamore. Concealed bottom door to allow access for square tissue box.

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

Brulé means 'burnt' in French. Raw and delicate, the Brulé boxes evoke the idea of baked earth or ashes. There is a powerful energy in the details of decisio...

The "Coco" round box in black shagreen with bronze patina brass exudes unparalleled luxury and craftsmanship. Its impeccably quilted shagreen surface is a tactile masterpiece, echoin...

A Dutch colonial box from Batavia in the former Dutch East Indies. Hand-carved with floral motives in ebony, used for jewelry or letters, ca. 1800. Origi...

There is type of English sweet called a Licorice Allsort. They are made in different layers and some have little balls covering them. The red lacquer and the little white pieces of e...

Add a touch of sculptural luxury to your coffee table or vanity with this exquisite vintage tessellated stone box. Reminiscent of the high-end designs by Maitland-Smith, this piece f...

Impressive mid century lidded box handcrafted and clad in a polished coconut shell mosaic, highlighted with twisted brass, bronze shaking hands as a handle and bronze ball feet.

Elegant Coque de Oeuf or Eggshell Lacquered Lidded Box, made by Maitland Smith, Vietnam, circa 1980s.

A beautiful modern style or Postmodern period marble and brass box with Jewish Star of David design, circa late-20th century, 1980s, 90s. Box, att...

Impressive turtle box or object of art with a removable faux tortoise shell veneer lid with a frog handle over a cast bronze base with a lush patina and Asian motifs. Signed Maitland...

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...

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 ...

Vintage lidded box crafted in steer horn elements with metal spacers and having a carved penshell handle and feet.

Felt-lined lidded box all handcrafted from natural stones Indigenous to the Philippines.

This substantial decorative box, produced by the renowned Maitland Smith in the 1970s, is a prime example of high-end Post-Modern craftsmanship. The exterior features a meticulous te...

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...

We are very pleased to offer this distinctive Maitland-Smith decorative box, designed in the form of a classical gramophone, circa late 20th century. Crafted with a richly finished w...

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 ...

Exquisite Maitland Smith Tessellated Rosso Levanto Marble Box, ca 1990s. This octagonal slope sided box is clad in a beautiful tessellated rosso levanto marble and accented with a ...

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 ...

Slightly eccentric vintage jewelry box with a cast bronze hippopotamus standing on a three drawer chest clad in marble veneer and set on four bro...

This is a vintage elegant tessellated stone dresser box. This box is tessellated with an iridescent plum colored stone with a brass banded detail around the edge. This box is in the ...

Tessellated horn jewelry box by Maitland-Smith.

The Black Shagreen Waste Bin with Wood Interior by R&Y Augousti is a stunning blend of luxurious craftsmanship and functionality. Its exterior, crafted from hand-selected black s...

The brass body showing a hinged lid rising up to a faceted receptacle with an engraved hinged cover, overtop a hinged open compartment which then lifts to reveal an interior fitted ...

This is a very stylish tessellated pen shell, bone and wood box most likely by Maitland Smith and made in the Philippines. This long, slender beauty measures 15 1/2" x 7 1/2" x 2.75"...

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 ...

This stunning rustic Buddha box stand table is a late 19th century offering box. Significant Triangular shape box stand table set on legs carved as Naga's a...

Just in, this wonderful hand crafted Wood Pear Box by Maitland Smith. Large as it stands at about 15" H. Beautiful walnut color wood with a gilt metal stem. Very good vintage conditi...

Circular form with flattened doomed covers, the covers with a medallion of flower with full bloom, the bowls with two round borders. Period : Qing Dynasty, Kangxi-Yongzheng Period P...

Standout large Asian lidded box crafted in hardwood and hand decorated with birds, flowers and figures in a traditional technique.

Large 1980s Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone and brass box. Measurements for just the box without the design. height 4.75'' depth 12.25'' depth 8.25''

Description: Tissue box Color: Caramel Size: 14 x 14 x 15 H cm Material: PU Collection: Knotted.

Antique hand-painted and lacquered wooden box with removable tray, from Indonesia. The interior compartments are amply sized. There are some small...

A wonderful example of an Akha Tribe spice basket, with a stunning woven pattern on all sides and crafted from a mix of rattan. This basket was once used to store precious spices and...

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 r...

Maitland Smith tessellated polished horn and penshell jewelry box with brass trim.

Intricately decorated with red and black lacquer, this petite Burmese betel box (kun-it) is a lovely example of a traditional craft. A blend of betel leaves, areca nuts, slaked lime,...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Burmese silver box; an addition to our diverse Asian silverware collection. This exceptional antique Bu...

Gilt Lacquer Wood Manuscript storage box Burma 19th century. This wooden box is entirely covered in moulded lacquer-work in relief (known as thayo w...

Tessellated pink / salmon stone decorative box with brass trim and velvet interior.