Skip to main content

Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

62
to
8
41
20
62
62
62
62
45
27
11
9
7
6
5
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
62
28
29
4
12
24
5
Height
to
Width
to
27
18
15
15
12
50
32
12
10
8
4
2
2
2
1
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Color:  Gray
Midcentury Opaline Art Glass Eggs, Dozen, Frosted
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Midcentury opaline art glass eggs, dozen, frosted. Gorgeous sculptural set. Set of 12.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Malachite, Alabaster

Large Enameled Painted Floral Pattern Art Glass Round Dresser Box
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice large enameled art glass jewelry dresser box center piece. Measures: 10" Diameter.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Glass, Milk Glass

Midcentury Green Onyx Marble Box, Italy
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A handmade trinket or jewelry box, crafted with utmost care from exquisite onyx. Details in guilded metal such as the lion feet. This versatile box will work for your treasures, whil...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Onyx

Understated Jean Gerbino, Vallauris, France, Ceramic Pale Blue Mosaic Lidded Pot
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Quietly understated elegant Jean Gerbino for Vallauris, France, ceramic glazed pale blue mosaic lidded pot Classic form and function with signature mosaic from Gerbino Circa 1960's S...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Odette Dijeux Mid-Century Signed Ceramic Box, circa 1950, Belgium
Located in Brussels, BE
Nice Odette Dijeux mid-century decorative box, circa 1950, Belgium. White and brown enameled ceramic. Signed underneath Odette Dijeux . Each piece of this artist is unique and po...
Category

1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Maison Romeo set of 4 painted wood boxes brass stone 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful set of four Maison Romeo Paris decorative boxes made in France in the late 1970s. These boxes are carved from oak wood, with hand painted decor, brass accents and details, ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Stone, Brass

Mid-Century Modern Egg Shaped Box Made by Lalique France, Boîte Angelots
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful crystal box, shaped like an egg, made by the French maker Lalique. Beautifully decorated with a decoration of angels, satin-finished crystal. The original name of this bo...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Crystal

Stylish perforated metal, brass and glass mategot style cosmetic lidded tin
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Stylish perforated metal, brass and glass mategot style cosmetic lidded tin, 1950s
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal, Brass

Lucite and Chrome Box, Italy, 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
Rare decorative lucite and chrome cube-shaped box. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Chrome

Roberto Cavalli Lucite Jewelry Box with Tortoise Effect, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful midcentury lucite jewelery box by Roberto Cavalli, with a stunning tortoiseshell effect. This gorgeous piece was produced in Italy in the 1970s. This object is timeless ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lucite, Plexiglass

Large Marble Square Midcentury Object
Located in London, GB
A large marble square objet. Belgium, circa 1970s. Good vintage condition. Heavy in weight as it is solid. Location: Belgium Galler...
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Marble

Lucite and Chrome Decorative Box, Italy, 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
Oval decorative box made of acrylic glass and brass. Good condition, patina of time. Also perfect for jewellery, for your desk or for collecting small items. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Squared Lucite and Chrome Pocket Emptier in Dior Style, France 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning midcentury Lucite and chrome squared valet tray or ashtray. This wonderful item was produced in France in the style of Christian Dior in 1970. The pocket emptier is lovely because of the beautiful straight lines and the chromed metal central part, making it look like a cube of ice with a floating rounded chromed plate in the middle. A wonderful example of design from the 1970s, both for the fusion of materials and colours. The chromed plate can be moved, changing the shape of the item. A gorgeous item that will enhance a midcentury-style living room, studio or entrance hall. Christian Dior was founded in 1946 by designer Christian Dior. It currently designs and retails leather goods, fashion accessories, footwear, jewelry, timepieces, fragrance, makeup, and skincare products, while also maintaining its tradition as a creator of haute-couture under the Christian Dior Couture division. The Christian Dior label remains largely for women's offerings, although the company also operates the Dior Homme division for men and the baby Dior...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Chrome

Bovano Enamel Box
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A charming walnut jewelry box with enamel decoration by Bovano.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Enamel

Porcelain Casket, Limoges, France
Located in Chorzów, PL
Porcelain casket, Limoges. France Very good condition. dimensions: 4 cm Wed 11 cm.
Category

1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-Century Italian Chrome Horn Veneer Jewellery Box, 1970
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful mid-century box made in Italy in the late 1970s. This chrome jewellery or make-up box features a horn veneer frame on the top. The mix of chrome and horn is really nice. A ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Chrome

Silvered Brass Box, Italy, 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
Silver-plated brass box and fabric-covered interior from 1970.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Pair of Pears in Steel Italy 1970 Rinnovel Ettore Sottsass Style Ice Box
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of pears in stainless steel Italy 1970 Rinnovel Ettore Sottsass style ice box.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Italian Chrome Horn Stripes Veneer Jewellery Box, 1970
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful Mid-Century box made in Italy in the late 1970s. This chrome jewellery or make-up box features horn veneer stripes on the top. The mix of chrome and horn is really nice. A ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Chrome

Three MCM Italian Alabaster and Brass Claw Dolphin Footed Lidded Jewelry Boxes
Located in Haarlem, NL
Set of three hand carved Italian alabaster claw and dolphin footed decorative boxes in blue, orange and beige coloured alabaster. I fell in love with their beautiful shiny colours and the heaviness of the material of these jewellery boxes with hinged lids, brass claw feet, brass dolphin feet...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Bitossi for Raymor Box, Ceramic, Fused Glass, White, Orange, Blue, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi for Raymor Box, ceramic and fused glass, white, orange and blue, signed. Small scale white glazed box with a lid decorated in an abstract pattern of...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Porcelain Casket, Limoges, France
Located in Chorzów, PL
Porcelain casket, Limoges. France Angelique collection.
Category

1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Alessandro Albrizzi Rectangular Box in Purple Lucite and Chrome, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Rectangular box in purple Lucite and chrome by the Italian designer Alessandro Albrizzi. Made in Italy, circa 1970.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Chrome, Metal

Porcelain Lided Box by Gucci, Decorated with the Flora Motif, Richard Ginori
Located in Brussels, BE
Porcelain lided box decorated with the iconic Flora motif : Pretty porcelain box whose lid is decorated with the morif "Flora". The edge of the lid and t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

French Vintage Mirrored Jewelry Box
Located in Cathedral City, CA
1960s French mirrored jewelry box with one draw,   
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mirror

Rectangular Lucite and Chrome Box, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Rectangular box made in Lucite and with chrome details.  
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Round Box in Thick Heavy Crystal Italian Design 1950s Midcentury Wisteria Color
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Round Box in Thick Heavy Crystal Italian Design 1950s Midcentury Wisteria Color.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Crystal

Vintage Mid-Century Domed Abalone Box
Located in Tampa, FL
The domed abalone box has a rosewood and brass interior with little ball feet. Mid-century 1950s origin is probably Mexican and very high-quality.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Abalone

Oval Lucite and Brass Decorative Box, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Oval decorative box in lucite and brass. Good condition, patina of time. Perfect also for jewelry, for the desk, or for collecting litlle objects. Made in Italy in the 1970s.  
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal, Brass

Clear Murano Glass 1950s Box Attributed to Seguso
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Small Murano glass box manufactured in Italy and attributed to Seguso Glassworks. Hand made clear glass with bubbles' inclusions. Very good condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Murano Glass

Rectangular Box Ice Effect Lucite, Willy Rizzo Style, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Rectangular box made of ice-effect Lucite in the style of the Italian designer Willy Rizzo, 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lucite, Plexiglass

Antique Clocks and Watches, Timepieces Tin Box
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage confectionary tin with theme: Antique clocks and watches, antique timepieces This 1950s tin box is a great decorative box or storage box with beautiful design on the lid of antique timepieces like pendulum clock, antique pocket watch, antique clock, sundial, mantle clock, antique hourglass...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Tin

Ceramic Box by Nanni Valentini for Ceramica Arcore, Italy, 1960s
Located in Milan, IT
Remarkable ceramic box by Nanni Valentini for Ceramica Arcore. The surface finish and the beauty of colors remember the work of Lucie Rie. Other piec...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Oscar Tusquets and Lluis Clotet Mailbox by Bd Barcelona, circa 1984
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mailbox designed by oscar Tusquets and Lluis Clotet. Manufacturer by BD Barcelona. Spain, circa 1984. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preservi...
Category

1980s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Salvador Teran Mosaic Decorative Boxes, set of 3
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Decorative glass mosaic and brass boxes featuring a chicken motif by Mexican designer Salvador Teran. Each box measures 8.25" x 6" x 2". Price is per box.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

1970’s Mid Century Egg Shape Coffee Storage Container With Coffee Beans Cover
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique Egg Shape with a coffee bean cover - probably to store coffee grains or anything you feeling to put inside. That unique object will have your guest talking about it. Brought i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lucite

Monkey Ceramic Box Sculpture by Vivai del Sud, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
White ceramic box animal sculpture in the shape of a monkey by Vivai del Sud. Made in Italy in the 1970s. The original label is still attached on ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Marble and Nickel Box
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Super chic veined marble and nickel-plated box. The bottom and top are 1/2" marble slab while the sides are nickel-plated metal. A handsome box to be sure.  
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Marble, Metal

Large Vintage Lucite Gem Ice Bucket by Allesandro Albrizzi
Located in Chicago, IL
A large vintage Lucite gem ice bucket by Allesandro Albrizzi. 1970s Lucite shows nice age with some craqueling. some the tiny pl...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lucite

Low Large Square Box in Solid Italian 1970s Brass with Lid
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Low large square box in solid Italian 1970s brass with lid.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Grey and White Stoneware Ceramic Covered Pot or Box by Anne Kjaersgaard La Borne
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Anne Kjaersgaard Realised in la Borne circa 1960 Original stoneware ceramic covered pot or box Signed under the base with black pigment Original perfect condition Heig...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury Lucite and Brass Christian Dior Jewelry Box, French 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and tiny Christian Dior style jewellery case, it is made of Lucite, Tortoise plexiglass and brass. It was produced in France during 1970s and in its simplicity and elega...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Square Studio Pottery Boxes, Sage Green, Black and White
Located in London, GB
Three geometric leaning square studio pottery boxes glazed in black and white. Sculptural square studio pottery boxes, signed PS. The geometric desi...
Category

1980s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Bitossi Box, Ceramic, Blue, Green, White Stripes, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi box, ceramic, blue, green, white stripes, signed. Small scale colorful lidded box decorated with a tight hard edge pattern of blue, green and white stripes...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Bank Cases
Located in Copenhagen, DK
50 vintage storage boxes or bank cases from a Danish Bank.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Dresser Top Lucite Jewelry Box with Fitted Lid
Located in Ferndale, MI
Rectangle box of acrylic padded and lined. Lid is fitted to the opening.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Acrylic, Lucite

Midcentury Lucite, Tortoise Plexiglass and Brass Christian Dior Jewelry Box 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and tiny Christian Dior style jewellery case, it is made of Lucite, Tortoise plexiglass and brass. It was produced in France during 1970s and in its simplicity and eleg...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Decorative Round Box in Glass Steel Gilded Brass Italian Design 1970 Romeo Rega
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Round box in glass steel and gilded brass Italian Design 1970 Romeo Rega.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Steel

Pair of Vintage Crackled Abalone Jewelry Boxes
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of vintage crackled abalone jewelry boxes. Unmarked. Attributed to Maitland Smith. Measures: Larger box dimension: 7 7/8". 4 7/8". 3 3/8". ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Abalone

Milk Glass Trinket or Jewelry Box with Diamond Shape Decoration and Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful cut milk glass trinket box, or jewelry box. This lovely piece is square in shape, with diamond shape decoration on both the lid and sides. Dimensions: 4.25" wide 4....
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Glass, Milk Glass

Stunning 1950s White Murano Glass Hinged Jewelry Box by Cendese Murano, Italy
Located in London, GB
A stunning oval white Murano glass hinged jewelry box by Giovanni Cendese, Murano, Italy with gilt central detail and hinge.                   
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Vintage Detmer Woolens Advertising Store Display or Salesman's Sample Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This promotional advertising store display box was made for the Detmer Woolens Company of the United States in circa 1945. This box was either sent to various clothing retailers or t...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Paper

Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter Box, Ceramic, Navy Blue, Green, White, Plaid
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi for Rosenthal netter box, ceramic, navy blue, green, and white, plaid. Small scale lidded ceramic box with navy, white and green glazed top and white glazed bottom. Tiny glaze miss on edge of one side of the lid. Minute wear to inner box (photo 12) and two old touch-ups to corners of the bottom box. Remnants of a paper Rosenthal...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury Three-Piece Lucite Powder Room Set
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An amazing group of three vintage Lucite accessories for the powder room; wastebasket, tissue holder and soap-dish. Each piece has meticulou...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lucite

Table or Bench Container in Steel and Plastic, Italy Box 1970s Vintage
Located in Roma, IT
Table or bench container in steel and plastic. Sliding opening, suction cup feet.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Steel

Cube Box in Lucite Alessandro Albrizzi Style, Italy, Mid-Century Modern, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Cubic box in purple and transparent Lucite in the style of Alessandro Albrizzi, Italy, circa 1970.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Plexiglass, Acrylic, Lucite

1974 Ice Box/Bucket by Cini & Nils Studio O.P.I. Milano, White Acrylic, Italy
Located in San Diego, CA
MarCo Melocchi and Franco Bettonica of O.P.I. Design, designed this extraordinary table design in 1974. This is an original design from the early Seventies. It’s iconic minimal desig...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Acrylic

Sign Romeo Rega Brass and Chrome Box, 1970s, Italy
Located in North Miami, FL
Chic, peerless quality 1970s Italian chrome and brass box with black acrylic interior, signed Romeo Rega. Box has since been carefully polished and given a protective coating to reta...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Mid-century Modern decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative boxes, popular names associated with this style include Bitossi, Line Vautrin, Piero Fornasetti, and Gabriella Crespi. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $22 and tops out at $34,396 while the average work can sell for $850.

Recently Viewed

View All