19th Century Decorative Boxes

English walnut and brass dome-top box with Mother-of-Pearl, ca. 1860. With 6 sewing tools, 4 have mother of pearl handles, 7 pieces of circular fabric sam...

A 19th century Chinese wood and vellum document box hand painted court scene. No lock but all the hardware is bronze. The interior is four and a half i...

Inro is an ancient traditional Japanese box used to carry and store small items such as tobacco, money, paintbrushes, and other objects. The...

Victorian Brass Oversized Pocket Watch-Form Box, England, Circa 1880 A striking and finely crafted Victorian novelty box in the form of an oversized gentleman’s pocket watch, made i...

K0123, stunning William IV rosewood work box / jewelry box, having quadrant beading ad mother of pearl inlaid to the front and to the hinged top which opens to reveal relined interio...

Antique French Parisian cut crystal & ormolu mounted jewel box, circa 1890s.

An elegant and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu and Glass box. This most charming box is raised on four topie shaped feet below a wonderfully chased foliate and ...

Antique Limoge 19th Jewellery hand painted porcelain & brass box with hunting horse scene. aprox 1880 hand painted in yellow porcelaine Perfect gift for ...

Stunning Example of a Ladies Silk Lined Casket containing its original contents of Sterling Silver mounted Silk lined Tortoiseshell Card Cases of museum quality. Slightly dome shaped...

A Japanese lacquered wood sake ewer with maki-e design, circa late 19th century, Meiji period. The nicely decorated lacquerware is of a Classic sake ewer for...

Decorate a shelf or a lady's bathroom counter with this exquisite jewelry case box. Crafted in France circa 1880 and oblong in shape, the bronze casket stands on openwork plant form ...

O/7417 - Pair of rare oval apothecary boxes with lettering: Aloes and Ialapa (may be Jalapeno - Slightly different sizes from each other (less than two cm. in hight) - They are hand...

A four-tier Japanese Meiji period black lacquer Jubako box with stork and fir tree decoration. Box in four sections with lid.

Nineteenth century mahogany brass bound campaign box with flush shield form escutcheon on front (no key), the two ends fitted with brass hook latches, the top with a central rectangu...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver castle top vinaigrette depicting Kenilworth castle; an addition to our collectable box collection. This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver vinaigrette...

PRESENTING A LOVELY 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Sadeli Mosaic Inlaid Sewing Box. Made in Bombay, India, circa 1880. The box is made of sandalwood with highly carved raised teak wood panels on all sides, depicting temple scenes, animals and foliage. The box is in a sarcophagus form. It is edged in bone (and we can tell it is bone and not ivory, from the color and evidence of capillaries, which are not found in ivory), and banded with Bombay Sadeli mosaic and ebony veneer. The lid opens to reveal a removable tray with various open compartments and lidded compartments. 5 lidded compartments, 1 unlidded compartment and 8 holders for thimbles, etc The tray lifts to reveal a blue velvet (original) lined section, for storing jewelry etc, with sections for collars etc. The inside of the lid has a removable mirror (the mirror is missing on this one but can easily be replaced). Behind the mirror is the original green velvet lining. It has its original brass carry handles on the sides and sits on 4 silvered button feet (of recent origin). Some repairs to the exterior and condition issues (priced accordingly), but still a LOVELY COLLECTIBLE box! 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! 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...

Box Page: 299 in the Book – Art Nouveau Domestic Metalwork from WMF Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik: The English Catalogue 1906 Hardcover signatures: WMF G with ostrich = The fi...

Oval Shaker box in chrome yellow paint with four swallowtail joints. Northeastern United States, 19th century. Completely original, dry, untouched surface. Measurements: 3 1/8” ...

Inro with four gold lacquer boxes, decorated with a lake landscape. Accompanied by a bronze ryusa manju. Small boxes formed of compartments that fit one on top of the other, inro (? ?) are traditional Japanese clothing...

Exquisite oval-shaped cut-crystal antique jewelry box. The crystal is chiseled into twisted patterns, and the mounts are of gilt bronze, which is decorated with small flowers, pearls...

19th century Chinese lacquer sewing box from the Qing Dynasty. Decorated beautifully all over with intricate designs and images of ancient C...

French antique bronze mounted and painted sevres style cobalt blue accessory box France, circa 1890 Decorated with a figurative scene de...

This antique box is from London made from papier-mâché The top is hand painted and inlaid with mother of pearl. It is finely painted and has an interior with defined Spaces for writ...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver castle top vinaigrette depicting Windsor castle; an addition to our collectable box...

Very fine. Early 19th century Napoleon tea caddy. Brass inlay. Crystal vessel (not original).

Decorate a coffee table or a shelf with this elegant and colorful casket. Crafted in Italy circa 1880, the Venetian box stands on heavily carved feet decorated with gilt acanthus lea...

A French painted tôle box from the late 19th century, with wood grain patterns and goldenrod accents. Created in France during the last decade of the 19th century, this tôle box feat...

French brown hat box for cylinders, early 19th century. Rare old leather hat box for top hats. This old hat box in the shape of a cylinder is an original fro...

French Victorian bronze dore fan shaped box with faux bamboo trim and filigree sides with green floral painted top

Antique French Art Nouveau paper powder box "Poudre Lt Piver Pompeia" This is an extremely rare and stunning antique French Lt Piver Pompeia Powde...

An old original Bentwood Box from the late 19th century A beautiful piece full of history in oval shape with amazing patina and style with traces of age and use "Svepask" was used ...

An exceptional and rare leather covered wooden case the top with the embossed silver family initials BAB in monogram under a nine pointed crown cartouche; the case is lined with crim...

This captivating Palais Royal sewing nécessaire is crafted of engraved mother of pearl mounted in rich doré bronze. The hinged box contains a remov...

Box in brass and pewter with decor of a leaping lion. Designed by Anna Petrus for Firma Svenskt Tenn.

19th century birdseye maple box with brass nail head decoration and iron lock plate and hasp. This box is hand crafted with beautiful dovetail joints visible on the corners, evidence...

An anglo Indian workbox made of ebony. The tray lifts up from the box on the lid which is also inlaid in ivory and ebony and has a bone round disc that is signed New Bedford 1810. Th...

French Bronze and Crystal Shell-Shaped Box, circa 1860

The bronze finely chased with foliage and flower heads, the escutcheon with chased cornucopia terminating in bird heads, the crystal box upheld by gilt bronze scrolls terminating in ...

Antique English Victorian Marquetry Inlay Tea Caddy Sewing Box, Desk Storage. Circa Mid 19th Century. Measurements: 4.25" H x 9.25" W x 6" D.

Antique 19th Jewellery Antique 19th Jewellery Hand Painted pink Porcelain Box with flowers aprox 1880 Perfect gift for decoration or keeping perso...

This is a fabulous blue tool carrier, with original robins egg blue paint, original and natural wear. It's rare to find original paint! It is square naile...

An Early 19th century silver box This good quality early 19th century Netherlands hallmarked box is very well made and of a good weight. It...

Special large handcrafted antique rich mahogany box having beautiful mother of pearl decoration and two crystal knobs on each side. Dividers are inside.

A Very Fine William IV Pocket Nutmeg Grater Made in Birmingham in 1836 by Joseph Willmore. The Nutmeg Grater is of a large size, with reeded rounded sides. The hinged cover is engra...

Signed by maker on lock. Paris, France. Bronze/brass mounted.

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export silver jewellery box; an addition to our collection of boxes and cases This exceptional antique Chinese Export Silver box has a subtly undulating rectangular form. The surface of the box has a planished finish and is embellished with an embossed and chased decorated stemmed floral and foliate design to the anterior surface. The decoration to the body continues to the cover, incorporating plum blossom arrangements and an impressive perched bird motif. This antique jewellery box is fitted with the original hinged cover. This exceptional Chinese silver jewellery box is supported by four impressive cast silver feet. The hallmarks struck to the underside of this fine box include: Maker's mark: HC (Hung Chong) Artisan workshop mark: QI CHANG (Shanghai) NOTE: We are grateful to Adrien von Ferscht for his help in identifying this exceptional antique piece. Condition This antique Chinese silver jewellery...

Early 19Thc pantry box / cheese box with a handle in fine condition. This cheese box in great condition. This cheese container is from New England and is si...

This exquisite French opaline glass casket box, dating from the Charles X period, showcases the elegant craftsmanship typical of early 19th-century French glasswork. Designed in the ...

Heading : Painted whitewood box Date : 1800-1830 Period : Regency Origin : Probably Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells, Kent Decoration : Rectangular whitewood box with painted basket of f...

19th century Japanese black and gold lacquer Suzuribako box with firefly and plum blossom design.

A fine quality and small 19th century figured satinwood stationery box with inlaid line decoration and roes of silvered pins to the top. The slant front...

Brass edged and inlaid Vanity / Dresser / Jewelry (relined) box having flush mounted lift handles on each side, the front and top with brass line inlay inside the brass edging and wi...

19th century Chinese cloisonné enamel brass trinket box.

English Regency Mahogany monumental wine cellarette with a gadrooned step back hinged lid, canted gadrooned exterior sides, interior locking mechanism, flanking figural dolphin feet...

Spanish wooden chest with original iron fittings.

This lovely antique lacquered apothecary box was crafted in Italy in late 19th century in the style of medicinal herbs casket in use in pharmacies during the Middle Age and Renaissan...

Cubic Biedermeier box, mahogany and maple, Austria circa 1840 Rare cubic shaped decorative box form the Biedermeier period. Mahogany veneered with maple inlays. Oak base. Restored a...

Charming Campaign Box in Camphor with hidden drawers with details in brass and a mirror inside. From the 19th Century. Nice patina. Key is missing. Wear consistent with age and use

A very Fine Antique English Hand Carved solid highly figured walnut hinged box with unusual "one-off" carved in relief monogram. This box is satin-lined and tufted likely to be used...

- Wonderful antique Portugese knife or cutlery box - Hand crafted from coromandel and we date to circa 1880 - Come view in our Canonbury Antiques Hertfordshire...