Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

Penshell and Horn box style of Karl Springer

$695
£533.73
€611.65
CA$978.39
A$1,096.01
CHF 571.12
MX$13,369.07
NOK 7,257.65
SEK 6,843.44
DKK 4,565.17

About the Item

A beautifully proportioned arched-top box, expertly crafted and clad in tessellated penshell and horn inlay, arranged in a pattern that evokes the warm, organic elegance of tortoiseshell. The result is a shimmering, dimensional surface with rich tonal variations and a sense of movement and depth. This sophisticated decorative box reflects the refined design ethos of the late 20th century, particularly the luxurious, nature-inspired aesthetic championed by designers like Karl Springer. Known for his bold shapes and exotic materials, Springer helped popularize the use of meticulously hand-inlaid penshell, bone, and shagreen in high-end furniture and accessories during the 1970s and ’80s. The box’s curved lid and precise geometric inlay demonstrate a high level of artisanal skill, often associated with specialty workshops in the Philippines that produced work for top-tier American designers. Whether used for storing jewelry, personal treasures, or simply admired for its sculptural quality, this piece stands out as a glamorous and timeless accent. Its unique blend of organic materials and minimalist form makes it equally at home in a maximalist setting or a clean-lined modern interior.
  • Similar to:
    Karl Springer (Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)Width: 9.5 in (24.13 cm)Depth: 7.75 in (19.69 cm)
  • Style:
    Hollywood Regency (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Horn,Shell,Polished
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1980-1989
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1980s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. On the bottom of the lid there's a small spot of damage and one side of the liner has come undone. I will get it reglued but just wanted to let the buyer know.
  • Seller Location:
    Kilmarnock, VA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU883043764302

More From This Seller

View All
Brazilian Table Top Box in Rosewood
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A stunning mid-20th-century box veneered in rich Brazilian Rosewood, dating to circa 1940. The hinged lid is framed by a striking Dutch ripple-style molding, expertly carved from sol...
Category

Vintage 1940s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Brazilian Rosewood Box
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
beautifully hand-turned Rosewood box crafted in Brazil during the 1950s, showcasing the elegance and richness of South American hardwoods. The form is both simple and sculptural—cla...
Category

Vintage 1950s Brazilian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

Exotic 1970s Deco Revival Frog Skin box
By Karl Springer
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A rare and stylish tabletop box clad in genuine frog skin leather, crafted in the Philippines in the late 1970s, when the use of exotic materials surged in response to a growing glob...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Art Deco Decorative Boxes

Materials

Hide, Leather

Early Grosfeld House Cabinet
By Grosfeld House
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Grosfeld House Cabinet made from crotch mahogany veneer with very very impressive solid brass pulls, inside the cabinet has drawers, most likely for linens, and silverware originally...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Early Grosfeld House Cabinet
$2,500 Sale Price
44% Off
Frances Elkins Attributed Mahogany Block-Front Chest with Silverplate Pulls
By Frances Elkins
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A refined and unusually rare block-front chest attributed to iconic American designer Frances Elkins, celebrated for her ability to fuse classical vocabulary with the crisp restraint...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Dressers

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

Studio Pottery Box by Sequoia Miller
By Sequoia Miller
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
This striking studio pottery box by Dr. Sequoia Miller was created in the 1990s, a formative period before he shifted from full-time maker to one of the most important thinkers and c...
Category

1990s American Decorative Boxes

Materials

Stoneware

You May Also Like

Karl Springer Box
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Painted goatskin box Immaculate detail and manufacture.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Decorative Boxes

Materials

Goatskin

Tessellated Penshell Jewelry Box
By Maitland Smith
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Tessellated horn and pen shell jewelry box attributed to Maitland Smith
Category

Vintage 1980s Philippine Hollywood Regency Decorative Boxes

Materials

Shell

19th Century Danish Box Circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 19th-century Danish box, circa 1880, is an exceptional example of refined craftsmanship. Its round, curved shape is crafted from richly polished mahogany, highlighting t...
Category

Antique 19th Century Danish Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut

20th Century Danish Box Circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 20th-century Danish box, dating to circa 1900, is a stunning example of early 20th-century Scandinavian craftsmanship. Made from beautifully grained walnut, the box feat...
Category

20th Century Danish Neoclassical Revival Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Art Deco Wooden Box
Located in Kiel, SH
Art Deco Wooden Box
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Decorative Boxes

Materials

Fabric, Wood

19th Century French Exotic Wood Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inlaid with several different exotic woods including walnut. Medallion inlay.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut