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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
Printed Metal and Mahogany Box
Located in Munich, DE
Metal box with soldier print. Mahogany interior.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

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

Decorative Glass Box with Murrine Lid, Ludovico Diaz de Santillana Venini Murano
Located in Uccle, 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

1950s Painted Wooden Jewelry Lidded Box Studio Craft Peter Blake Bauhaus Style
Located in Hyattsville, MD
In the manner of Peter Blake. A Fairly large tabletop box. Unsigned. Has an architectural vibe, handmade, solid mahogany, with painted components. Fully ...
Category

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

Materials

Hardwood

Vintage Brass Desk Box, Fine Decorative Case, Brass
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage Desk Box - Decorative Box Set - Fine Brass Case Vintage decorative box set in metal and brass, with a finely interwoven straw-like pattern ...
Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Giacomo Sinopoli Italian Large Jewellery Box Chrome Gold Leaf 1970
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful Italian Mid-Century decorative box designed by Giacomo Sinopoli and produced by Liwan’s Rome in the late 1970s. This chrome jewellery box features a beautiful gold leaf gilded frame...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Chrome, Gold Leaf

Midcentury Lorin Marsh Lacquered Brass Howlite Semi Precious Stone Leather Box
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful midcentury Lorin marsh turquoise and grey lacquered with brass and Howlite semi precious stone inset box, the interior with brown leather lining.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

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

Vintage Arden Company Milk. Crane Wood and Metal Storage Box.
Located in Seattle, WA
Circa 1961. Ardent Forms Metal and wood Crate. Wording has been embossed into the wood.Rustic vintage. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Dimensions. 19 W ; 13 D ; 1...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

David Deakin Silver and Malachite Box for Deakin & Francis England 1970 Signed
Located in Paris, FR
David Deakin, a silver box, Deakin & Frances, Birmingham, England, 1973, signed. Gilded inside. Height 10 cm. Total weight: 343 grams. Unique piece made o...
Category

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

Materials

Malachite, Silver, Sterling Silver

Fontana Arte Wood & Glass Box , Italy / C.1940
Located in Montréal, QC
Fontana Arte, founded in Milan in 1932, is well-known for its innovative lighting and furniture designs that combine traditional craftsmanship with modern style. Today, the company...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Cut Glass, Walnut

Modernist 1981 Sculptural Secret Table Box Carved In Marble Sandalwood And Shell
Located in Miami, FL
Sculptural marble secret box. Exceptional decorative box, created by an American artist back in the 1981. This modernist box has been made up with carvings of white marble and sanda...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Marble

Vintage Handcrafted/Painted Faux Malachite Tissue Box
Located in Chicago, IL
A nice Vintage Handcrafted/Painted Faux Malachite Tissue Box. Much in the manner of Fornasetti. Uncertain of the designer/company that made these. Possibly Italian in origin. Some m...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Vintage Boho Woven Rattan Lidded Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embrace natural textures and timeless charm with this vintage boho woven rattan lidded box. Crafted with intricate woven patterns and a sturdy bamboo frame, this piece exudes rustic ...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Rattan

A red Venini Murano glass box with "murrine" glass lid from the late 1960ties
Located in Aachen, DE
A Venini Murano glass box with a "murrine" glass lid from the late 1960ties. The vessels base is white "lattimo" glass, cased red to give it a nice opaque appearance and a strong red...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Glass, Murrine, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Mid-Century Modern Multicolored Heart Flowers Vintage Splint Box, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Folk Art splint box shows multicolored hand painted rural decor like flowers and hearts. It was designed and made in the 1950s, Austria. The oval shaped box features a base part and ...
Category

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

Materials

Scrap Wood

Vintage Mommy kissing Santa plastic figures with Box.
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage, believed to be 1960s Hong Kong. Comes with box. Vintage Condition as pictured. Listing is for described item only. Box H4 Dimensions. 2.5” W ; 1.5” D ; 3.75” H
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Plastic

Container/Box in the Shape of an Anthropomorphised Chick
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Container in the shape of an anthropomorphised chick. Dressed in colourful clothes, the piece has a cartoonish design with a rounded, expressive body. The chick has its beak open, as...
Category

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

Materials

Terracotta

Vintage Mid Century Modern Solid Black Walnut Ice Box by Custom Kraft.
Located in Seattle, WA
Circa 1960s. Solid Walnut lid and casing, as stated on the markers mark on the bottom. Contrasting wood grains cover the sides. Turned wood Handle. Vintage condition consistent with ...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Metal Storage Box with Key
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular metal storage box features an extendable brass handle on the lid of the box. The box comes with a set of brass keys to keep your valuable...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

1960's Brazilian Modern Ice Bucket in Imbuia and Brazilian Rosewood
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this mid-century modern ice bucket that was made in the sixties is one of a kind! This beautiful wooden ice bucket is made with imbuia hardwood and Brazilian rosewoo...
Category

1960s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Hardwood

1950s Patinated Copper Box Embossed Elephant India
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Indian Handmade Box Patinated Copper Embossed Elephant- Cat 2.75 tall x 9 w x 7.25 d Made in India Unrestored preowned vintage condition. Wonder...
Category

1950s Indian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Copper

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

Steel, Brass

Rare Box by Piero Fornasetti from 50's
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare and original metal Boxe by Piero Fornasetti from 50's, decorated with pipes, with the original package. in very good and original condition, used for matches, cigarettes jewelry...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Smålandsslöjd, Stig Johansson Pine Kit
Located in Västra Frölunda, SE
Beautiful pine wood set designed by Stig Johnsson for Smålandsslöjd, Sweden in 1960/70´s The set consists of three round boxes (two of them has a inner glass jar) with lids, a round candle holder...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine

Set of 10 Plastic Storage Canisters, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of 10 Plastic Storage Canisters, Austria, 1950s Presumably produced by ETO/Murplastic in Graz, Austria Crafted from durable early plastic with Murplastic’s signature clean lines...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Plastic

4-Tier Stacking Metal Canister Set by Lincoln Beauty Ware, USA, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
1960s Lincoln Beauty Ware 4-Tier Stacking Metal Canister Set – Green Retro Kitchen Storage Vintage 4-tier stacking metal canister set by Lincoln Beauty Ware, USA, circa 1960s. Featu...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Trianon or Les pavés du Roy silvered bronze compact by Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
“Trianon” or “Les pavés du Roy”, silvered bronze compact by Line Vautrin. Silver-plated bronze compact depicting the cobblestones of the Château de Versailles. On the upper part, a h...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

A possibly Antique Decorative Round Laquered Box with animal floral motif
Located in Seattle, WA
This box is thought to be a middle eastern antique but not confirmed. The lid slides to reveal the storage compartments inside. This Piece has nice patina and character. Vintage Cond...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Majolica Porcelain Trompe l'Oeil Asparagus Covered Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Majolica lidded Box Tromp l'Oeil to look like asparagus. The box is a wonderful decorative piece in the kitchen or dining room - holding anything from office supplies at a kitchen w...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Porcelain

Vintage Hand Painted Tin With Floral Motif on Top.
Located in Seattle, WA
Nice Patina. Vintage Condition as pictured. Listing is for described item only. Dimensions. 8.5”W ; 8.5”D ; 1.5” H
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Aldo Tura Green Goatskin Chrome Box
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant cigar box in lacquered goatskin. This box was executed, circa 1960 in light green parchment with chrome parts. Very good vintage condition. Along with artists like Piero Forn...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Goatskin

Set of Three Ceramic Vases, Italy, 1960s
Located in Milan, IT
Remarkable set of three ceramic pieces with different decorations. Two pieces feature matching lids. Size refers to the tallest piece.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Handcrafted Live Edge Lidded Bark Box
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Vintage Handcrafted Live Edge Lidded Bark Box Handcrafted lidded bark box. Featuring a unique live edge design, this vintage-inspired piece showcases the natural beauty of wood, enha...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

1960s Brazilian Rosewood Tray Vessel by Jean Gillon for Wood Art
Located in Victoria, BC
We are excited to offer this standout piece from the Jean Gillon collection: a decorative wood serving tray crafted from the finest jacaranda. Crafted with meticulous detail and unde...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

Vintage Italian Decorative Box 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A vintage Italian decorative box from the 1970s is a stylish container originating from Italy during that era. It likely features unique designs, materials, and craftsmanship typical...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Plexiglass

Mid Century Italian Decorative Round Box 1970
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Vintage Italian Decorative Brass and Blue Glass Box from the 1960s is an elegant and unique piece of retro decor. Crafted in Italy during the mid-20th century, this box features ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Glass, Wood

Vintage 1950's Mexican Storage Box, Brass Decorated with Marble, Copper, Silver
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Created by the Los Castillo of Mexico, decorative box dating from the 1950s. The hand-wrought box is in mixed-metal inlays of copper, brass, silver plate and sodalite with a rosewood...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver, Brass, Copper

Haberdashery chest of drawers by Thiriez & Cartier Bresson. 1910 - 1920
Located in CADALSO, ES
Good condition
Category

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

Materials

Wood

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

Old Ceramic Box circa 1950, Brand to Decipher
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Old ceramic box circa 1950, brand to decipher.
Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Roberto Rida Amber 'Diamante Murano' Large Glass Box
Located in New York, NY
Roberto Giulio Rida exquisite amber olive '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

Steel, Brass

Fornasetti "Tartaglia" Box from the Estate of Jose Ferrer
Located in Westport, CT
Fonasetti Metal enameled box sliding wood compartment
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

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

Beautiful Italian Decorative Box 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
beautiful Italian decorative box 1970s.  
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver

Janetti Mid-Century Geometric Box
Located in Westport, CT
Janetti Italian Mid Century Brass Copper geometric Lucite Plexiglass interior top..
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Copper

Copper Lidded Pineapple
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury lidded pineapple expertly crafted in copper, hand hammered and decorated with stylized leaves and retaining its bronze like patina.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Copper

Two Lucite And Silver Plate Boxes Designed By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Doraville, GA
A pair of vintage lucite and silver-plate lidded boxes. The boxes were designed by Gabriella Crespi in the 1970's and made in Italy. The small box is approximately 3 1/4 inches tall ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver Plate

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

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Steel, Brass

Vintage Italian Rectangular Decorative Box 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Vintage Italian Rectangular Decorative Box from the 1980s exudes Italian craftsmanship and elegance. Characterized by its sleek lines and refined design, this box serves as both ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

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

Vintage Italian Chrome and Stone Decorative Box 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A vintage Italian decorative chrome box with a stone top, crafted in the 1960s, embodies the elegance of mid-century Italian design, showcasing a harmonious blend of polished chrome ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Stone, Metal

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Wood and Silver Decorative Box
Located in Catania, IT
This mid-century decorative box displays the best of Italian craftmanship The exterior features a textured Sterling silver 800 surface reflecting the Italian meticulous attention t...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Mid Century Modern Vintage Leather Box Vienna, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage stitched leather box designed and executed in Vienna 1960s. It has a beautiful handmade leather framing. The removable ...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Aluminum

1950s Mid Century Paper and Wood Box by Alessandro Albrizzi
Located in Tampa, FL
Signed mid century signed by the artist, Alessandro Albrizzi box made and out of paper and wood. Italy, late 1950’s. Removable top, two pieces ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Paper

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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