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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 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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Gabriella Crespi Wood and Brass Box, 1970s
Located in San Diego, CA
Wood and brass box by Gabriella Crespi. Signed, Italy, 1970s.  
Category

1970s Italian 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

Large French Sculpted Bronze Box by Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large bonze box (based on the size, it is likely a card case) by French Parisian art jewelry designer Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1950s. The box features an interesting design i...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Decorative Box, 1950's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of Art Glass Chipped glass(see foto) Original condition.
Category

1950s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Art Glass

Tommaso Barbi Goatskin Box, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
1970s Rectangular goatskin box with wooden interior by the Italian designer Tommaso Barbi. The original label is still attached on the back, as shown in the photos.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Cenedese Murano Black Jewelry Box, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Black Murano jewelry box by Giovanni Cenedese. Label is still on the lid: Murano Cenedese Vetri. It's a black Murano glass box with gilt metal ...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Solid Teak Inlaid Jewelry or Trinket Box by Maison Gourmet
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare and hard to find solid teak inlaid jewelry or trinket box by Maison Gourmet of Denmark, circa 1950s. The box has a removable lid with a fine...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Wood Handcarved Box After Alexandre Noll
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wood handcarved box after Alexandre Noll Signed Tony to the underside. Late 20th century. In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautifu...
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

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

Chinese Wicker Puppy Box
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century Chinese puppy box from the Shanghai collection ambitiously crafted in bamboo wicker with carved wood feet and tail.
Category

20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wicker

Tessalated Maitland Smith Faux Horn Gentleman's Dresser Box
Located in Ferndale, MI
Elegant wood lined dresser box with hinged lid. Tessalated faux Horn exterior with brass trim. Interior is wood lined. Retains Maitland Smith label.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Set of Mid-Century Plastic Boxes, 1970's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of Plastic Apple measures. Height:19cm, Depth:16, Width:16cm Pear measures. Height:21cm, Depth:14, Width:14cm Re-polished Original condition.
Category

1970s Slovak Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Plastic

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

Unusual Ceramic Box By Bitossi Raymor, Italy
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual ceramic box by Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter, Italy, ca' 1960's, signed. Geometric design, beautifully decorated in yellow, brown, black.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Wicker Duck Box
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Wicker duck box from the Shanghai collection with its notorious intricate wicker structure, removable lid, carved beak, and bamboo trim.
Category

20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wicker

Midcentury Set Majolica Red Fish Ceramic Covered Sauce Tureen Box Salt & Pepper
Located in Coimbra, PT
Gorgeous small size set hyper realistic glazed ceramic fish covered sauce tureen and salt and pepper in shades of vibrant red and grey with dark accents ...
Category

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

Materials

Pottery, Majolica, Earthenware, Ceramic

Set of Three Ceramic Jewelry Boxes Blue and Brown by Barbara Delfosse
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Barbara Delfosse Realised circa 1975, signed under the base Elegant set of three ceramic jewelry boxes or decorative boxes Midcentury furniture and design Blue, brown and grey ce...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Large French Silvered Bronze Box Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A silvered bronze poudrier box "Ammonite" by French Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997). In the 1940s, Line Vautrin designed a series that was inspired by the shape of na...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Small Round Box in German Porcelain Orange and White Color
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Pleas...
Category

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

Materials

Porcelain

Faux Bamboo Woven Rattan Box
Located in Miami, FL
Faux bamboo and woven palm box from the 1970s.
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique Vintage Mid Century Sterling Silver Gilt Enameled Guilloche Card Case
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A superb example of a mid century heavy gauge Guilloche and enameled Sterling Silver Gilt hinged lidded Card Case of outstanding quality and condi...
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

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

Tin box Theme Pirate, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage biscuit tin theme Pirate - Piracy. This 1950s tin box is a great decorative box or storage box with beautiful design of the material of the sea rove...
Category

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

Materials

Tin

Alessandro Albrizzi Cube Box in Purple Lucite and Gold Metal, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
This auction is for a purple cube Lucite box with gold color metal in the centre by Italian Designer Alessandro Albrizzi. Overall the piece is beautiful wi...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal, Steel

Vintage Limoges Hand Painted Porcelain Yellow Floral Egg Trinket Box, France
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Limoges hand painted porcelain yellow floral egg trinket box, France. Midcentury. Marked.
Category

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

Materials

Porcelain

Ceramic Miniature Chest ca' 1970's
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual miniature chest of drawers by Virginia Podufaly, ca' 1970's. She was one of the founders of the Potters' Guild in Annapolis, Maryland in 1972.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Maitland Smith Decorative Tessellated Stone and Brass over Fruitwood Box
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage handmade Maitland Smith tessellated stone box with brass over fruitwood. No makers mark. In good vintage condit...
Category

1970s Philippine Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Stone, Brass

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

Rectangular Box Lucite Tortoise Shell Effect, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Rectangular box in Lucite tortoiseshell effect with three hollow circles on the top. Made in Italy, 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass

Mid-Century Modern Handmade Nautical Mother of Pearl & Seashell Decorative Box
Located in Miami, FL
Tiffany Style handcrafted Mid-Century Modern nautical décor mother of pearl shell box or keepsake. The big Seashell is the handle to open it. Beautif...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Shell, Mother-of-Pearl

Gabriella Crespi Brass Pill Cigarette Card Box Italian, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Gabriella Crespi brass pill cigarette card box Italian, 1970s Measures: 4.4 inches wide on each side 0.3 inches deep Born in 1922, Gabriella Crespi studies architecture at the...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Flower Pot Made In Rosewood from 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This elegant flower pot, crafted from luxurious rosewood, epitomizes the sophisticated design ethos of the 1960s Danish aesthetic. Its sleek and minimalist silhouette adds a touch of...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

Bodil Eje Danish Boxes / Humidors by Alfred Klitgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Three beautifully crafted solid wood trinket boxes / humidors by Danish craftsman Alfred Klitgaard, circa 1960s. Very detailed construction and exquisite finish with a eight gorgeous...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Rosewood

Duo of Sculptural Rosewood Jewelry Boxes by Richard Rothbard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of two vintage Richard Rothbard jewelry boxes. Early examples when artist's studio was in Sugar Loaf, NY (later works were made in New Jersey). Solid Padauk (an African rosewood)...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

Decorative Vintage Italian Box, 1960
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Decorative vintage Italian box, 1960.   
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver, Brass

1970s by Tassinari Faenza Italian Pottery Ceramic Box
Located in Brescia, IT
Polychrome ceramic Perfect condition.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pottery

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

Wood Box Bowl by Aldo Tura for Macabo Italy 1950s Art Deco
Located in Rome, IT
Decorative wooden box with metal handle in the shape of acorns by the Italian designer Aldo Tura for Macabo Cusano Milanino. Made in Italy, circa 1950. On the bottom the original s...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Decorative Glass Box with Murrine Lid, Ludovico Diaz de Santillana Venini Murano
Located in Brussels, BE
Pretty and rare decorative box or candy box in transparent straw-colored glass topped with a lid with delicate murrine work in coral tones. The design of the murrine imagined by Lu...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Blown Glass

Pair of Box in Lucite & Rattan Christian Dior Home Style, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of boxes in lucite and rattan in the style of Christian Dior Home. Made in Italy in the 1970s. The boxes come in different dimensions: - Big box: 9.5...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wicker, Rattan, Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass

Box in wood, for jewelry or candle, France 1980
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This box has a beautiful Patina. In perfect condition, you can use it as a jewlery box, or even to put a candle in the glass inside part. It has been made in France circa 1980
Category

1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Decorative Large Midcentury Red Ceramic Box by Guillaume Met De Penninghen 1950
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Guillaume Met De penninghen (1912-1990) Rare and decorative large ceramic box by the belgian artist Mid-20th century masterpiece, circa 1950 Elegant red and black ceramic gl...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

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

Polia Pillin California Studio Pottery Seated Girl with Bird Lidded Trinket Box
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Large ceramic lidded trinket box in shades of blue with decoration of a seated woman and bird. Created by Polia Pillin of Los Angeles, California,...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Don Shoemaker Exotic Wood Inlaid Decorative Briefcase for Señal, circa 1970
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exquisitely crafted slim decorative briefcase designed by Don Shoemaker for Señal of Mexico. Taking advantage of the expertise provided by Mexican artisans, shoemaker founded Señal w...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Jacaranda, Rosewood, Cocobolo

Venetian Murano Bright Red White Leaf Decoration Italian Art Glass Covered Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Elegant venetian, early Murano hand blown bright red with white pasta glass leaf decoration Italian art glass covered candy bowl / dresser box. Created in the manner of Salviati. Wou...
Category

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

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Orange Gold Fleck Bubbles Pear Top Italian Art Glass Container Vanity Jar
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown orange over white, controlled bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass candy container or vanity jewelry box, with pear top decoration. The piece...
Category

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

Materials

Gold Leaf

Ottaviani Italian Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Lidded Box with Shell Decor
Located in New York, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern rectangular shape wood box with Sterling silver lid with a shell decor, made by Ottaviani. The piece was made during the 1950s a...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

1950s Lilac Murano Glass Hinged Box with Facetted Lid and Silver Metal Edge
Located in London, GB
A 1950s lilac Murano glass hinged box with facetted lid and silver metal edge detail and hinge by Giovanni Cendese, Murano, Italy.  
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

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

Roberto Rida Chartreuse 'Diamante Murano' Large Glass Box
Located in New York, NY
Roberto Giulio Rida exquisite chartreuse 'Diamante Murano' glass box with thick glass ground and polished to create faceted fitted top with gilt brass base covered inside with steel,...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Steel

Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter Box, Ceramic, Chartreuse, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter box, ceramic, chartreuse, signed. Small scale lidded box decorated with impressed geometric patterns and glazed in chartreuse, ...
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

Robert and Jean Cloutier Sculpture Horse, circa 1960, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Robert and Jean Cloutier sculpture horse. Made with glazed ceramic. Ceramic box. A fine black enameled sculptural horse shaped box. Signed Circa 196...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Leather Wrapped Lidded Jewelry Box
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Light and dark leather wrapped decorative box with chrome plated handle.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Chrome

Wastepaper Basket of Genuine Cognac Core Leather, 1970s
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Round European vintage wastepaper basket from the 1970s. It's made of strong genuine cognac colored core leather with incised pattern and visible stitchin...
Category

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

Materials

Leather

Bitossi for Raymor Box, Ceramic, White, Black, and Brown, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi for Raymor box, ceramic white, black, and brown, signed. Small lidded box glazed in chocolate brown, white and black from Aldo Londi's Piastrelle Bi...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Bitossi Striped Ceramic Box, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi brown glazed ceramic keepsake box with a contrasting striped ceramic top. Top features orange, yellow, brown and gold metallic glazes. Signed.
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

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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