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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
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

Vintage Hand-Turned Birch Rosewood Lidded Box (1945) with Interior Lid
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Vintage Hand-Turned Lidded Box (1945) with Interior Lid **Description:** This exquisite hand-turned lidded box, dated 1945, is a beautiful example of mid-20th century woodworking ar...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Malachite Decorative Box 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful and luxurious malachite decorative box from the 1970s, showcasing vibrant swirling green tones and a striking brass-trimmed lid. Perfect for storing small items or serving ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Malachite, Brass

1960s Middle Eastern Backgammon Game Board Chess Box
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage backgammon game board chess box intricate mosaic wood marquetry inlaid Mop 19.5 w x 10 d x 3.5 h Preowned original vintage condition. Wear present. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Signed Gabriella Crespi Decorative Jewelry Box in Lucite and Brass, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning mid-century decorative box designed and signed by Gabriella Crespi. Made in a beautiful combination of gilt brass and clear lucite, this stylish box was made in Italy during...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Tiffany & Co. 1980 by Elsa Peretti Pumpkin Trinket Lidded Box In .925 Sterling
Located in Miami, FL
Pumpkin box designed by Elsa Peretti (1940-2021) for Tiffany & Co. Beautiful vintage rounded trinket box with a lid, designed in the shape of a pumpkin by...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Austrian Rectangular Rosewood Trinket Jewelry Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large charming hand crafted box in rosewood. This rectangular box can be used to store your favorite pieces of jewelry as well a stand alone piece on a coffee table as decoration. A...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Rosewood

Mid Century Gilded Aluminum and Walnut Burl Wood Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant original decorative box was crafted in Italy in the 1970s. Its design is reminiscent of Tommaso Barbi's work. The rectangular form, burl walnut wood on the lid and main ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Blue Alabaster Box with Sliding Attached Round Lid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful shimmery round alabaster box with sliding lid. Unique custom blue colored box is perfect for your mementos, coins, jewelry or 420. Slide ...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Alabaster

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

Este Ceramiche for Bergdorf Goodman Porcelain Cat Box with Lid
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Charming vintage cat shaped decorative box with lid features high gloss white luster glaze on outer surfaces and glossy white glaze on the bottom and on inner surfaces. The cat is s...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Alfred Klitgaard Wood & Enamel Box for Bodil Eje, Denmark, c.1965
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Alfred Klitgaard Wood & Enamel Box for Bodil Eje, Denmark, c.1965.
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Enamel

Fornasetti Architecture Tin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tin can in black and white architectural motif / designed by Piero Fornasetti for DROPS / made in Italy Diameter: 3.5 inches / height: 11 inches 1 available in stock in Italy Order r...
Category

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

Materials

Tin

Danish Modern Teak Desk Organizer Box by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
A super cool and very hard-to-find Danish modern teak desk organizer box by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1970s. The box has a removable lid and three compartments for storage. G...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Jon Sauer California Modern Studio Exotic Woods Betel Nut Lidded Box
By Jon Sauer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Zig zag patterned cocobolo, blackwood and betel nut lidded box created by Jon Sauer of San Francisco, California. Box measures 7" in height by 3" in diameter. In excellent vintage co...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Cocobolo

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

Pill box by Line Vautrin- Talosel encrusted with garnet red mirrors
Located in Uccle, BE
Talosel pill box encrusted with garnet red mirrors by Line Vautrin. Black scarified Talosel pill box. The inside of the lid and of the box decorated with a small round mirror. The ex...
Category

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

Materials

Mirror, Talosel

Bitossi Italian Pottery Box Imported by Rosenthal Netter
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Maker: Bitossi. Importer: Rosenthal Netter Period or model: Mid-Century Modern. Specs: Pottery Condition: This Bitossi Italian pottery...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pottery

Antique Vintage Italian Lady's Gentleman's Faux Leather Gilt Jewelry Casket Box
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning Italian Faux Leather Ladys or Gentlemans Jewellery Box of compact size. First quarter of the Twentieth Century. The hinged lid with a very decorative cushioned surface whi...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Faux Leather

Midcentury Box in Wood, Brass and Steel Tommaso Barbi Style, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing large rectangular box in wood, brass and steel in the style of Tommaso Barbi. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal, Brass, Steel

Paul Greene Vintage Sculptural Carved Zebra Wood Box
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage small storage or trinket box features rounded, biomorphic shape and simple, but elegant construction. The box is hand carved of solid zebra wood; the storage compartment slid...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Zebra Wood

Rare Hermès, Paris Equestrian / Horse Box c.1970
Located in Bath, GB
A very rare example of a French mid-century modern silver plate and gold plate box by the iconic French fashion house, Hermès of Paris. A stunning design in silverplate with a gilde...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Silver Plate

Small Mid-Century Majolica Blackberries Tureen
Located in Austin, TX
Small Mid-Century Majolica Blackberries Tureen.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Handcrafted Jewelry Box by Bay Area Artist Dean Santner c.1970
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Original studio, handcrafted wood jewelry box by California woodworker, Dean Santner. Expertly crafted in walnut. Pull out center drawer lined in purple felt. CREATOR Dea...
Category

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

Materials

Felt, Walnut

An amaranth Wood Jewelry Box - Apple Shape - France 1970s
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
An unique jewelry box made of turned amaranth wood in the shape of an apple. Opens in two to store small items like jewelry, rings, earrings, pills, coins, etc. Elegant design with ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Lidded Box in Walnut by Alexandre Noll (1890-1970), France circa 1950
Located in New York, NY
Exquisitely carved lidded box by Alexandre Noll (1890-1970), created around 1950. The walnut wood exhibits a smooth, polished finish, retaining its natural charm. The lid securely fa...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Midcentury Decorative Box in Lucite and Rattan Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing little rectangular decorative box in lucite, rattan and brass in the style of Christian Dior Home. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Perfect desk object or gift idea.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal, Brass

Midcentury Rectangular Box in Wood and Chrome Willy Rizzo Style, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful rectangular decorative box in wood and chrome in the style of Willy Rizzo. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Perfect desk object or gift idea.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal, Steel, Chrome

Italian Navy Blue and Gold Lidded Round Box Candy Dish, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Italian navy and gold round lidded box. The dark blue shade contrasts beautifully with the gold ribbed accents along the sides and on the finial. The size makes this piece ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Puzzle by Line Vautrin – Box in gilded bronze
Located in Uccle, BE
Puzzle by Line Vautrin – Box in gilded bronze Large and wide box in gilded bronze whose lid is carved with a puzzle by Line Vautrin. The chiselled puzzle p...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Joe Colombo "Biglia" Ashtray/Round Box for Arnolfo di Cambio, 1969, Signed
Located in Bagnolo Mella, Brescia
This rare and elegant piece is a testament to Joe Colombo's visionary design and mastery of form. Crafted from Alexandrite glass, renowned for its ability to change color depending o...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver Plate

Italian Brown Leather Red Velvet Lined Jewelry Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Brown Oval Leather Lined Decorative Jewelry Box, 1950-60's Italy Vintage decorative box in brown leather with gold embossed decoration. This Mid-Century box was handcrafted in Italy...
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Velvet

Vintage Wooden Box, Suitcase, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
In fair condition new painted only for decoration have damages and scratches.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

1940s Italian Wood and Glass Box by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
Located in London, London
This elegant trinket box by Fontana Arte, showcases a refined design that combines luxurious materials and minimalist aesthetics. The base of the box is crafted from rich wood, which...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Wood

Gustave Tiffoche large 20th century grey and black ceramic decorative box 1970
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Gustave Tiffoche 20th century design large black and grey stoneware ceramic decorative box Signed by Gustave Tiffoche Original perfect condition height 21 cm Large 27 cm Depth 19 cm
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Modern Architectural Brass Inlaid Travertine Box, Circa 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Italian Modern Architectural Brass Inlaid Travertine Box, Circa 1970s Italy, Circa 1970s A sleek and sophisticated Italian modern architectural travertine box with brass inlay, mad...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Travertine, Brass

Mithé Espelt Square Ceramic Box
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Decorative square box by Mithé Espelt, stained wood box covered with a ceramic lid showing a single white and blue flower framed with gold glaze....
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Mid Century Italian Onyx Marble Boxes
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A pair of trinket or jewelry boxes with a hinged lids. Handmade all in onyx and brass gilded in gold. The onyx has a range of colors from red, brown, yellow and green. Measurements ...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Onyx

Pill box by Line Vautrin- Talosel encrusted with garnet red mirrors
Located in Uccle, BE
Talosel pill box encrusted with garnet red mirrors by Line Vautrin. Black scarified Talosel pill box. The inside of the lid and of the box decorated with a small round mirror. The ex...
Category

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

Materials

Mirror, Talosel

Midcentury Wood and Gold Plate 24 KT Box Afra & Tobia Scarpa Style, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury wonderful rectangular large decorative box in wood and gold plate 24KT in the style of Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal, Gold Plate

Bakelite Minaudière Box
Located in New York, NY
Bakelite minaudière box. Vintage Italian bakelite tortoise box with hinged mirrored removable lid, hinged lid double compartments and two open comp...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Christian Dior Midcentury Lucite Tortoiseshell Effect and Brass Jewelry Box 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous mid-century square shaped decorative jewelry box in an elegant tortoiseshell effect lucite and brass. This fantastic piece was designed in France during the 1970s for Christ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Murano Sommerso Glass Casket Lidded Box Signed Garantito
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Murano heavy glass lidded casket box with gold/brass frame resting on paw feet. The box is clear glass octagon with interior grey/green oval hollow. Stamped on metal frame G.S.E Ott...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Squared Box in Black Acrylic and Wood by Tommaso Barbi, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful squared decorative box in black acrylic and wood by Tommaso Barbi. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Perfect desk object or gift idea.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Acrylic, Wood

Gilded Bronze Box with Poem by French Art Jeweler Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt bronze poudrier box with cast poem on surface by Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1940s. The poem "Les 4 ages de la Femme" was an old French lyrical poem th...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Midcentury Modern Game Box Exotic Burlwood
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Exotic Burlwood Box 3 h x 9 w x 11.5 Crafted in exotic wood. No label present. Game inside the box. The Captain's Duel Game from Pusser's Rum. Incomplete game set, missing ba...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Burl

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

Amour roi de ton coeur (Love King of Your Heart) by Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
Amour roi de ton coeur (Love King of Your Heart) by Line Vautrin , Silver Bronze Box. Silver-plated bronze box with a lid enhanced with a decoration representing a two-tone wheel, th...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Large Italian Rectangular Red Leather Jewelry Box, Signed Antinori circa 1960s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Midcentury Leather Embossed Rectangular Box For Jewelry, Cards etc. Italy, circa 1950s. The box is gold embossed decoration banner and lions and is si...
Category

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

Materials

Leather

Fontana Arte Playing Cards Box in Cerused Oak and Glass, Italy 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Playing Cards Box in Cerused Oak and Glass, Italy 1940s The Handle depicts two cannons, and the box inside is divided into three compartments to hold p...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Glass, Oak

Mid-Century Modern Bisque fossil Box by Kaiser Germany
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
A beautiful, delicate box in white matte finish with fossil (ammonites) motifs, Marked at the bottom
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Large Italian Rectangular Red Leather Jewelry Box, Signed Antinori circa 1960s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Midcentury Leather Embossed Rectangular Box For Jewelry, Cards etc. Italy, circa 1950s. The box is gold embossed decoration banner and lions and is si...
Category

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

Materials

Leather

Maitland-Smith Bronze Hippopotamus on a Marble Jewelry Box
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Slightly eccentric vintage jewelry box with a cast bronze hippopotamus standing on a three drawer chest clad in marble veneer and set on four bro...
Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Rectangular Decorative Box in Travertine Fratelli Mannelli Style, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful rectangular box in travertine and green glazed tile in the style of Fratelli Mannelli. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Perfect desk object or gift idea.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Travertine

Aldo Londi Bitossi Lacrima Vase, Ceramic, Blue Turquoise, Textured, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi vase, ceramic, blue turquoise, impressed, textured, signed. Medium scale chunky vase from Aldo Londi's 'Lacrima' series. Its body is decorated with a relief pattern of impres...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Eastern bloc wooden military crate, Soviet Union
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Vintage military crate, made in the former Soviet Union in the 1980´s. Original paint, shows signs of age and wear, but generally in good Vinta...
Category

Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Alexandre Noll Wooden Carved Box with Lid Produced in France, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare mid century box with a lid designed and made by Alexandre Noll produced in France 1950s. In good original condition. Dimensions: H: 6,5 cm / 12.55" W: 14 cm / 5.5" D: 9.5...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Fruitwood

Small Square Early Florentine Blue and Gilt Wood Trinket Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Italian Mid-Century Florentine hand crafted box. This gilt-wood box can be used to store your favorite pieces of jewelry as well a stand alone piece on a coffee table as dec...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Italian Florentine Domed Wood Trinket Jewelry Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Italian Mid-Century Florentine hand crafted box. This lined gilt-wood box can be used to store your favorite pieces of jewelry as well a stand alone piece on a coffee table ...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Malachite Mineral Jewelry or Trinket Box, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Outstanding Mid-Century Modern round lidded box in Malachite stone, Spain, 1950s. This exquisite vintage 1950s ball shaped box is all constructed with malachite and features a brass ...
Category

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

Materials

Stone, Malachite, Brass

MCM Abalone Shell and Brass Humidor / Box in the Style of Los Castillo
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful midcentury abalone shell and brass decorative trinket box /humidor with cedar wood lining made in Mexico in the style of Los Castillios, circa 1960s. The piece is stamped o...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Vintage Italian Ceramic Round Box / Lidded Jar by Raymor
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ceramic round box / lidded jar with concentric circle and petal motif by Raymor (ca. 1960s, Italy). Attractive palette and design in excellent, vinta...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Bakelite Minaudière Box
Located in New York, NY
Bakelite minaudière box. Vintage Italian bakelite tortoise box with hinged mirrored removable lid, hinged lid double compartments and two open comp...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

The sweeper of the Sacred Heart by Line Vautrin – Gilt bronze box
Located in Uccle, BE
La balayeuse du Sacré-Coeur (The sweeper of the Sacred Heart) by Line Vautrin, gilt bronze box. Generously sized gilt bronze box. The lid chiselled with a decoration of a multitude o...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

1970s Mid-Century Modern Fake Tortoise Shell Lucite Round Jewelry Box
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This lucite jewelry box designed and manufactured in Italy in the Seventies embodies the mid-century modern style with its sleek, minimalist form and use of synthetic materials. The ...
Category

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

Materials

Lucite

Italian Black Leather Jewelry Box, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern black leather jewelry box. Sweet petite jewelry box in butter soft black leather with red felt interior. This little box i...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Leather

Modernist Amber and Clear Lucite Box, France circa 1970
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning modernist Lucite, acrylic lidded box was crafted in France circa 1970. Its design is reminiscent of Maison Mercier Freres's work. The piece boasts transparent and red t...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lucite, Plexiglass

French Line Vautrin Bronze Poem Box with Sonnet by Felix Arvers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A wonderful jewelry box in gilt cast bronze by Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997). From a small special series, the designer created circa 1945-55. on which some French poems were cast in relief on the cover. This box features a well-known love poem "Sonnet" by Félix Arvers (1806 – 1850), widely considered as one of the most romantic French poems written about unrequited love and longing. Three out of four passages are shown on the lid except the third one. The box is lined with cork. There is a line on the back from casting, commonly seen in the boxes of the series. Mon âme a son secret, ma vie a son mystère, Un amour éternel en un moment conçu Le mal est sans espoir, aussi j'ai dû le taire, Et celle qui l'a fait n'en a jamais rien su. Hélas ! j'aurai passé près d'elle inaperçu, Toujours à ses côtés, et pourtant solitaire. Et j'aurai jusqu'au bout fait mon temps sur la terre, N'osant rien demander et n'ayant rien reçu. Pour elle, quoique Dieu l'ait faite douce et tendre, Elle suit son chemin, distraite et sans entendre Ce murmure d'amour élevé sur ses pas. À l'austère devoir, pieusement fidèle, Elle dira, lisant ces vers tout remplis d'elle " Quelle est donc cette femme ? " et ne comprendra pas. A secret fills my soul, and a mystery fills my life, An eternal love conceived in an instant. As the scourge was hopeless, it remained wordless, And the one responsible was unaware of it. Alas! I lived close to her but without notice, Always by her side yet so lonely. And I shall have lived my days on this Earth, Not daring to ask for anything, obtaining nothing. Even though God made her gentle and tender, She goes her way, careless and oblivious To the sough of love rising...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

1960s Old Gourd Art Lidded Vessel Made in Malta
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Midcentury Modern Handmade Gourd Art Decorative Lidded Container Stamped Made in Malta 5 Tall x 4.5 Diameter Original Unrestored Vintage Condition. Refer to images
Category

1960s Maltese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Thread, Wood

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

Ottaviani Mid Century Sterling silver enamel and wood playing card box
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mid Century Sterling silver enamel and wood playing card box, Italy 1979. Signed Ottaviani, Sterling silver 925 mark. Complete set ...
Category

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

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

Aldo Londi Bitossi Lacrima Bowl, Ceramic, Blue, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi Lacrima Bowl, Ceramic, Blue, Signed. Large low bowl decorated with a relief pattern of impressed teardrops from Bitossi's Lacrima Decor. Minute...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Small Decorative Round Brass Box by Gabriella Crespi, 1960s, Signed
Located in Bagnolo Mella, Brescia
A beautifully crafted small round box by the renowned Italian designer Gabriella Crespi, dating back to the 1960s. This exquisite piece is crafted in brass, showcasing Crespi's signa...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

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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