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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 celebrated 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.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. 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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Lalique Paris signed Frosted Lidded Box features Swans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
a special Lalique Paris frosted glass lidded box. Could be used for any vanity supplies, cotton balls, etc., or on a desk or work station for office supplies, or on a cocktail table...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Art Glass

Debladis Paris Modernist Silver Plate and Lucite Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
This lovely decorative box by Debladis Paris was designed circa 1960. Its rounded shape boasts a silverplate metal base and an extra thick lid in clear Lucite. The piece is marked un...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

John Kapel, Furniture Maquettes
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maquettes refer to small-scale models or prototypes often used by designers to plan or visualize larger projects before they are created on a full scale. These models serve as a way ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Large Italian Silver Plated Metal Pear Ice Cube Bucket Container
Located in Chicago, IL
Large Metal Pear Ice Cube Bucket Container. No makers mark. Most likely made in Italy 1960s. Hammered brass stem mounted to the top. Nicely crafted artistic & functional object. Plenty of patina to the metal which give the pear a nice character. Being sold unpolished with patina. Possibly Silver Plated. I believe there was probably a lining glass bucket inside at one time. unmarked. Uncertain to the designer...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Large Green Majolica Money Bank Squirrel Circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Large green Majolica Money Bank Squirrel Circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Italian Brass Letter Envelope Box Desk Accessory
Located in North Miami, FL
This ever so chic and obscure vintage Italian brass box is simply a pop art design of a form of an opened up envelope that is a box. it is from the lat...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Vintage Italian Decorative Box by Gabriella Crespi 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Vintage Italian Decorative Box by Gabriella Crespi, dating back to the 1980s, exemplifies the renowned designer's unique artistic ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

1970s Hand Craft Wood Box
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1970s hand craft wood box.
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Modernist Italian 800 Silver Small Playing Card Box, C.1950/1960
Located in Bath, GB
Hefty Italian silver was used to create this mid-century modern box with a stylish cast silver chain belt and buckle across the top and down the front, beautiful quality and engineer...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver

Philippe Cheverny Style Geometric Lucite and Gilded Metal Box, circa 1970
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning rectangular decorative lidded box has a design reminiscent of Philippe Cheverny's work. Crafted in the 1970s, the lovely decorative piece boasts a geometric shape with ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Tiffany American Midcentury Modern Box with Chinese Dragon Finial
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Modern sterling silver box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged and flat with scalloped corners and slight overhanding. Cast C...
Category

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

Materials

Sterling Silver

Midcentury Rectangular Box in Travertine and Brass Enzo Mari Style, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful rectangular box in travertine and brass in the style of Enzo Mari. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Perfect desk object or gift idea.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Travertine, Metal, Brass

5-Piece Travel Manicure Set with Brush
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A handsome compliment to the men's dressing table, dressing room or Valet. The attractive Garment brush, with brass trim, and clasp opens to reveal a fil...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Noel BC Chrome and Brass Desk Agenda and Box, circa 1970
Located in Atlanta, GA
Italian designer Noel BC Italy designed these modernist desk accessories in the 1970s. The ensemble comprised a rectangular box and a contact book. The pieces boast a geometric shape...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Vintage Danish Bog Oak Box with 'The Little Mermaid' in Silver, by AS 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rare and Beautiful handmade Box by Andersen and Søhoel. It is made of danish Bog Oak 400 to 1000 years old. The Lid has a silver henge and mechanism and is inlayed with a motif of ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver

Vintage Hand-Painted Porcelain Teapot Trinket with Black Reader
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Curios novelty trinket in the shape of a porcelain teapot trinket hand-painted with pink flowers, a coffee cup and a hatted black reader (cat or person). The lid mechanism in patinat...
Category

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

Materials

Porcelain

Elegant Box in Polished Cast Aluminum and Palm Wood, circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Elegant box in polished cast aluminum and palm wood, circa 1970.
Category

1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Aluminum

Sic Rimini Blu Glazed Ceramic Large Lidded Vessel / Box Bitossi Aldo Londi Style
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Mid-Century Modern blue glazed ceramic (Rimini Blu) round lidded box , Manufactured by S.I.C Ceramiche Italy, 1950-1960s. It has reminiscences in those Rimini blue designs from Aldo Londi and Bitossi...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta

Italian Murano Glass Box Having Rare Overall Aventurine Glitter
Located in Stamford, CT
Italian Murano glass box having rare overall aventurine glitter.
Category

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

Materials

Glass

Palisander & Rosewood Box / Humidor by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Rare Woods
Located in San Diego, CA
A very hard-to-find concave square lidded container, box or humidor designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. The box is made of palisander or rosewood (same family of wood...
Category

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

Materials

Palisander, Rosewood

1970 Ingo Knuth DNK Daniela Mola Italian Design Wood Leather Box
Located in Brescia, IT
Wood Box Design Ingo Knuth Prod. DNK Daniela Mola Milan, 1970 Wood and Leather Adjustable Height Sticker Label under the base Excellent Condiction h max: 36 cm H min: 27 cm
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter Ceramic Box, Ashtray and Votive Candle Holder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Bitossi for Rosenthal Nette ceramic box, ahstray and votive candle holder. All three in deep blue with white traces. Signed. Retains original paper label on the underside, which read...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Grey 20th century egg ceramic decorative or jewelry box by Yves Marian 1970 5/6
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Yves Marian 5/6 Realised circa 1970 Signed at the base original perfect condition 20th century design light grey egg ceramic decorative or jewelry box Height 18 cm Large 10 cm
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

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

Rooster Aldo Tura Ice Box Pitcher Midcentury Italian Design Multicolor, 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Rooster Aldo Tura ice box pitcher midcentury Italian design multicolor, 1950s Measures: Box height cm.17, diameter cm.18, teaspoon height cm.28, pit...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

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

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal, Brass

Majolica Lobster Tureen, circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica lobster box tureen signed Michel Caugant circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

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

Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass

Decorative Malachite and Brass Hinged Box by Los Castillo of Mexico
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful inlaid detail of three swans in brass and bronze on a malachite and sodalite background adorn the top of this hinged box which was made by Los Castillo of Mexico, circa 196...
Category

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

Materials

Malachite, Brass, Bronze

1960s Mid-Century Modern Green and Gold Ceramic Italian Box by La Colonnata
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A green and gold ceramic round box by La Colonnata, small factory established in Sesto Fiorentino, town famous for hand-crafted ceramic. The box it's...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Metal Ice Bucket Pineapple Sculpture 1970 Manetti Design Italian Florence Silver
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Metal ice bucket pineapple sculpture 1970 Manetti design Italian florence silver.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Jean Gerbino For Vallauris, France, Ceramic Glazed Sage Mosaic Lidded Pot 1960's
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Jean Gerbino for Vallauris, France, ceramic glazed mosaic lidded pot Sage green, terracotta and cream shades, beautifully crafted Circa 1960's Signed Gerbino to base Height 2.5 inch...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Sterling Silver Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Studio executed solid sterling silver lidded container. Piece has an organic modernist design. Marked on base as pictured.
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Cube Decorative Box in Clear and Black Lucite, 1970
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Midcentury Square Lucite Box with Lid, Italy, 1960-1970 This decorative cube shaped box is made in thick clear lucite with black lucite accents. Large enough to be used for dec...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Acrylic, Lucite

Salvador Dali Metal & Gold Gilt 'Bird In Hand' Compact For Elgin American 1950's
Located in London, GB
This exquisite vintage compact is a rare and highly collectible piece designed by the legendary surrealist artist Salvador Dalí in collaboration with Ergon American during the 1950s....
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Gold

Modernist Long and Flat Silver Plate Box, 1960s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This beautiful French modernist box was crafted in France in the 1960s and is made of silver plate metal. The minimalist and streamlined design features an extra-long and flat shape,...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Architectural Cylinder Box
Located in New York, NY
Architectural cylinder box. Small lacquered cylindrical container with black and cream engraving of the Arc de Triomphe de L’Étoile, from the Neuilly side, with black edging to top a...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Paolo De Poli Wood and Enamel Box, 1950s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Paolo De Poli, Italy, crafted this beautiful Mid-Century decorative lidded box circa 1950. This design is commonly attributed to Gio Ponti. The flat rectangular shape with a wood bas...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Enamel, Copper, Metal

Delightful Hand Painted Ceramic Nightstand Carafe From Vieux Vallauris, France
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Absolutely delightful, hand painted ceramic lidded tripod pot from Cerenne, Vallauris, France Beautifully decorated with delicate pale pink, lemon and tangerine flowers on cream grou...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Wonderful Small Suitcase by Hermès, Paris
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful small suitcase by Hermès, Paris. Two keys included.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

1960s Astonishing Red and Green Jar in Empoli Glass by Rossini. Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Astonishing Red and Green Jar in Empoli Glass by Rossini. Made in Italy The item is in excellent condition. Dimensions: diam 5,51" x 9,05" H inches diam cm 14 x cm 23 H
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Glass

La Borne 1970 20th Century Brown and Abstract Ceramic Decorative Box or Jewelry
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
La Borne Original abstract stoneware ceramic box Jewelry or decorative box Signed Original perfect condition Measures: Height 18 cm Large 14 cm.
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Nickel- plated cookie bowl with original painted glass vienna around 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Nickel- plated cookie bowl with original painted glass vienna around 1960s Original condition
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Nickel

Antique Austrian Malachite Lidded Dresser Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Austrian malachite hard stone lidded box. Features bronzed metal center mount with is entirely lined with malachite stone to interior and exterior. No apparent maker's mark.
Category

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

Materials

Stone, Malachite

Unique Danish 1960s Enamel Lidded Teak Canister, Manner of Alfred Klitgaard
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Measurements and info: Type: Teak jar or canister. Diameter: Approximately 7.5 cm (3 inches). Height: Approximately 9.5 cm (3.75 inches). Material: Solid siamese teak wit...
Category

1960s Scandinavian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Mid Century Portuguese Wooden Stamp Box
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Wooden stamp box. With the word ‘Stamps’ applied in metal on the front, it has a central rectangular handle at the top, also in wood, and decorative e...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Wilhelm Kienzle Tool Box for Mewa, circa 1950, Switzerland
Located in Brussels, BE
Nice Wilhelm Kienzle tool box for MEWA, circa 1950, Switzertland. Yellow and grey lacquered metal. Black handle, black hammer and pliers patterns. Original good condition. Dimensi...
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Bodil Eje Danish Rosewood Box / Humidor by Alfred Klitgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautifully crafted solid rosewood trinket box / humidor by Danish craftsman Alfred Klitgaard, circa 1960s. Very detailed construction and exquisite finish with a eight gorgeous Bodi...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Rosewood

Edward Winter Box, Enamel, Brass, Hinged, Cleveland School, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Edward Winter Box, Enamel, Brass, Hinged, Cleveland School, Signed. Small scale brass hinged box with an enameled top decorated with a white chevron pattern over a dark copper under ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Italy 1940s Aldo Tura Goat Skin, Brass and Wood Tobacco Container, Pipe Shape
Located in Roma, IT
Tobacco container by Aldo Tura, Italy 1940s in goatskin, brass and wood. The container has two compartments, one for storing tobacco and another for storing and lighting the games. D...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Grey 20th century egg ceramic decorative or jewelry box by Yves Marian 1970 3/6
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Yves Marian. 2/6 Realised circa 1970 Signed at the base original perfect condition 20th century design light grey egg ceramic decorative or jewelry box Height 14 cm Large 10 cm
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Jacques Lautertach small bronze box. French c.1970’s
Located in London, GB
Small bronze brutalist box by Jacques Lautertach. French c.1970’s
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Mid Century Glazed Terracotta Studio Pottery Bowl - Canada - Signed - Circa 1954
Located in Chatham, ON
Mid Century wheel thrown studio pottery glazed terracotta bowl - random splash decoration - contrasting navy interior with hand painted design - signed/initialed and dated on the bas...
Category

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

Materials

Terracotta

Unusual Italian Box in Brass and Lapis Lazuli
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An elegant Italian box made of brass and lapis lazuli, ca' 1970's.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Turned Wood Hardwood Lidded Box Chess Figurine Style Mid Century Modern c 1960s
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A lovely small turned hardwood lidded box with a chess style shaped finial, made in Europe probably in the 1960s.
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Hardwood

Majolica Lobster Tureen, circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Large French Majolica lobster tureen or box with green glaze, circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Tessellated Horn Dome Top Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Tessellated horn box from the late 20th century with a dome top shape. Brass hinge and black painted interior. In great vintage condition.
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Horn

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

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.

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