Late 19th Century Decorative Boxes

An antique decorative lidded box with a bronze dog. The base made of wood, with onyx paneled against it, which is framed with floral ornate copper rims. The...

Antique English Book-Shaped Sheffield Silver Plated Biscuit Box Circa 1885-90

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English 9k yellow gold sovereign case; an addition to our diverse box and case collection. This...

Beautiful set of three black Japanese lacquer nesting boxes with their two keys. Decorated with birds and orange, gold and green foliage. The 3 boxes fit together. The escutcheon ...

19th C. Red Embossed Leather Bound ( Faux / Dummy) Book Box 'Hunt Buttons' England, circa 1890s This 19th-century red embossed leather bound book box, titled 'Hunt Buttons,' is a r...

This is an antique cleric's swing-out case. A Chinese, hardwood travelling box, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1890. Charmingly provincial box, presented in original tim...

A late Victorian fine crocodile skin travel luggage by Drew & Sons London, circa 1890s. In dark green colour with brassed lock and catches. Opening up to reveal matching green lined interior in watered silk, with side pockets for various hallmarked silver cut glass jars, leather bound accessories and other articles nécessaires. Accompanying accessories includes 5 cut glass jars of various sizes with hallmarked silver lids, 1 set of mini hair curling tongs with butane burner stove and a lighter box, 1 ink box with accompanying quilted pens, Mother of pearl trimmed manicure set...

A superb antique 19th century English coromandel and rosewood fitted travel vanity or dressing box, circa 1870. This fine box contains the original contents including silverplate lidded cut glass jars, sewing tools...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning original circa 1880 Burmese hand carved sewing box with the original contents Ple...

PRESENTING A RARE AND DESIRABLE 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Padouk and Mosaic Folio Cover. This is a VERY RARE piece of Anglo-Indian and British Victorian Colonial history! ...

Large Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Box with Fruits, Sea Life, Birds and Insects Coffee Table box An antique Japanese copper trinket box of hexago...

A magnificent, fine and impressive, large and rare antique sterling silver cockerel sugar box; part of our continental ornamental silverware ...

Elegant vintage Limoges 22-karat gold trinket jewelry boxes. French vintage Limoges porcelain in cobalt royal blue with fine gold decor. Marked on base as “Limoges France" Porcelain D' Art ”. Beautiful cobalt blue porcelain with 22-karat gold hand painted with with the classic courtesan scene of a man and woman in the Louis XVI period attire. Perfect gift for your special someone. One small box. 6 x6 cm / 2.32 x 2.32 inches One piano box...

A rare Rectangular Mid 19th Century Spice Box in Mahogany with original brass handles, from Copenhagen in Denmark. This Spice box from "Östergades Materialhandel" from the Danish cap...

Keep your jewelry or important documents locked up in this fine, antique safe from the Champagne-Ardenne region of France. Crafted, circa 1880, the safe is cast iron and has a chic two-tone black and silver paint finish. The travel safe features a heavy handle on the top and is decorated with studded hobnails throughout. The front door is decorated with a plaque which reads "Incombustible Systeme Bauche Brevete SGDG Usine a Gueux Marne" engraved on the surface. The decorative box is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use and adorns a rich two-tone black and silvered patinated finish. Place the unique, secure safe in your office, study or even a men's dressing room for a display of strength and heritage. Original key included. In 1879, Bauche demonstrated the efficacy of his fire safes...

PRESENTING A VERY NICE 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Padouk and Sandalwood Sarcophagus Sewing Box. Made in Bombay, India circa 1890-1900. The box case/body is made of sandalwo...

PRESENTING A LOVELY 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Padouk Wood with Sadeli Mosaic Inlay Sewing Box. Made in Bombay, India, circa 1880. The box is made of sandalwood with highly carved raised padouk 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...

Vietnamese silver box, late 19th century. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover flat and hinged. Box sides have embossed blossoming branches, bamboo...

This is a very good and complete handmade, hardwood chess set game of 32 pieces in a handmade pine box with a sliding lid, which we date to the turn of the 19th Century, Circa 1900. The chess set is complete with 32 handmade and turned hardwood pieces, ( probably made of boxwood) all in the Regency shape or French Regence style. This Regence style are quite distinctive with the taller pieces and distinctive knights when compared to other designs and have a good "feel" when playing with. The box is handmade of pine with a sliding lid of good colour. Kings are 96mm high (about 3~7/8 inches) Knights are 90mm high Pawns are 48 mm high (about 1~11/16 inches) Note: Two of the white pawns are smaller replacements but of the same style. Please see images Overall a very good handmade antique chess...

Russian snuff box designed by Ivan Sergeyevich Lebedkin. Beautiful snuff box, created in Moscow Russia, at the workshop of Ivan Sergeyevich Lebedk...

A Swedish late 19th century burr walnut sarcophagus form sewing box from Gnesta, with working lock and key, lift out tray and partitioned interior. This high-quality Swedish sarcophagus-form walnut sewing box...

Very nice early wooden box, made in Austria, Central Europe. The box was made in the Gründerzeit period, how we call it in Europe, in this case around 1890. There are some interest...

French Cranberry Glass Box. The box of oval form with chamfered lid and brass mounts decorated throughout with a central band of enamelled greek ke...

Large turn-of-the-century German 800 silver figural spice box. A bird grips a gnarly branch with scaly talons. Sweet and downy with tucked-down wings. Head detachable. Marked. Weight...

We have a unique Japanese aesthetic sense. And only we can introduce unique items through our purchasing channels in Japan and the experience we have gained so far, in such a way th...

Rectangular and flat lacquer Kobako (small box) representing a furoshiki knot seen from above. Fundame background, furoshiki in takamaki-e with floral pattern, inside the folds of the fabric with black and gold sayagata pattern with togidashi maki-e technique. The saya (or sayagata) pattern is composed of Chinese swastikas...

Rare vintage Victorian Austrian porcelain lidded Sardine Handle ceramic box. The box has a ribbed pattern, all white, with gold around the base and...

circa 1870s Chinese wedding ceremonial hat box, Zhijang Province. Woven rattan & bamboo with brass hardware. The pedestal base has lost some of the molded floral decoration. Note the...

An antique Japanese copper trinket box with floral cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period, before 1912. The box has a lobulated round shape. There is a figurative finial on the lid. Collectible Oriental Decor...

A Fantastic 19th century French Louis XVI Style Dore Bronze Mounted Blue Opaline Crystal Box. The box is composed of two sections of French opaline crystal which are mounted to a fab...

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 fir...

Rajasthani Mughal Decorative Copper Lidded Betel Spice Pandan Caddy Box. Handcrafted decorative North India round metal Asian copper Mughal Raj, Indian lidded , spice, pandan betel box with latch and a top handle. Of dome form with lotus-shaped finial, with spiralling bosse designs, Delicately and intricately hand-chased and hammered with geometric Anglo-Indian designs. Consuming betel leaves with several ingredients such as wet lime paste, katechu, areca nut, cloves and even tobacco leaves has been popular in India from the fourth century AD. The box was probably used to store the betel leaf used in the preparation of paan. Lime paste is mixed with grated areca nut and flavourings and the resulting mixture is rolled in the betel leaf to form a small parcel which can then be chewed. As well as being an integral part of Indian hospitality paan is believed to possess medicinal properties and was also taken as an aphrodisiac. The present box, which was elaborately designed for this purpose, would have been taken out ceremoniously on special occasions. Exquisite conversation museum quality piece with a very nice antique patina. Fine intricate artwork with conical form lid with Moorish pierced designs. Islamic Mughal Indo Persian...

An Austrian Moser box in cranberry with gold flowers and bronze dore fittings. Circa 1890s.   

Chinese Huanghuali wood box decorated with bronze mountings and motifs of bats, fish and moths. The top features a classic Chinese medallion mounted to the centre of the lid. In un...

A Large Antique Coffee Grinder, Germany circa 1900s A large antique coffee grinder manufactured in Germany around 1900. Made with nutwood, iron crank and brass container for coffee ...

An English Victorian period leather hide hat case from the late 19th century, with G.C monogram, lined in red with removable divider. Created in England durin...

A Victorian oval desk box. Beautiful and very attractive desk box, created in London England during the Victorian era (1837-1901), back in the 1888. This rare box was crafted with...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and enamel cigarette case; an addition to our range of silver boxes and cases. This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver cigarette case has a plain rectangular form with rounded corners. This antique cigarette case has a subtly curved form proffering a comfortable fit in the majority of pockets. The anterior cover is embellished with an exceptional hot enamel scene depicting two greyhound style canines in a rural setting. The posterior surface of the case is ornamented with the contemporary engraved initials 'G.W.C.R' and the date '11th Feby 1886' The rounded sides of this cigarette case are plain and unembellished. This antique enamel cigarette case...

Bohemian crystal box, 19th century Bohemian crystal box, white and gold enameled, circa 1880, Napoleon III period, mounted with gilt brass. Meas...

A rare Japanese bark tree large cloisonné box on metal from the Meiji period. Usually bark tree cloisonné was on porcelain (totai Shippo) A very attracti...

Antique Oak Box, Victorian Gothic Percival Carved Oak Chest and Log Box, Antique Furniture, Scotland 1880, H1052 + Solid oak + Original finish + C...

A very fine and intricately decorated Japanese cloisonné box and cover, Meiji period, late 19th century, Japan. The lidded trinket or jewelry...

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 ...

Rare Switzerland mahogany & ebonized hinged music box with the original crank, three interior paper labels, and cylinders. Music box is stamped by maker and is In working condition, ...

Japanese lacquered box decorated with birds and foliage signed Lacquered inside and outside Late 19th Century Without key Some scratches and losses Ideal for storing jewelry.

A French late 19th century Empire style crystal box with classical gilt bronze mounts.

Collection of 19th Century Kashmiri Objects A beautiful selection of late 19th Century hand crafted Kashmiri objects. This collection includes a tobacco jar, pepper shaker, cigar b...

A rare Japanese Meiji period (1868 - 1912) circular bronze box and cover by Inoue, Kyoto, late 19th century. The cover embossed with gilt, silvered and coppered decoration of inse...

This is an antique butler's silver carry. An English, walnut work box or cutlery tray, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Fine Victorian work box with great colour acr...

This is an Italian bronze small rectangular jewelry/vanity portrait box. It depicts an embossed bronze lid decorated in the center with a hand painted 19th century round portrait of ...

This antique box is signed by an unknown maker, but presumed to have originated from the UAE and date to approximately 1920 and done in the period Bessarabian style. The box is compo...

This late 19th century spectacle case has an elegant design of lacquered papier-mâché with mother-of-pearl inlay. The inlaid decoration depicts a spray of various flowers and is bord...

This is a French patinated bronze metal round trinket lidded box. It depicts a pierced round metal box decorated with a relief of foliages. The lid is ad...

No self-respecting man in Qing-dynasty China would leave the house without some kind of hat. In fact, headgear was so central to social status that even the containers used to store ...

Burgundy Leather Collar Box with smaller Silver Plated Cufflink Box on top, used for detachable collars, 1890. Additional storage on top, for cufflinks, shirt buttons and miscellaneo...

Large rectangular antique wooden Campaign chest with brass hardware Brass lock has unknown signed makers mark on it.  

19th Century French Paper Cut Out Diorama Scene A quite exceptional example of a mid-19th Century French paper cut out diorama scene. Depicting a la...

This is a wonderful late 19th century sterling patch or pill box in the 17th/18th century style. The box is designed as an oval with a repousse lid depicting a farm yard vignette detailed with farm buildings, chickens and family life. The reverse is a simple polished sterling oval that has been hallmarked and bears the export mark "Germany". The box is in overall very good condition; the clasp is tight and no heavy wear is present. This silver piece would make an outstanding ring presentation box...