Modern Decorative Boxes
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
HOLIDAY GIFT- Vintage Villeroy & Boch Lidded Box of the Series Faces, 1980s
Located in Bochum, NRW
This is a gorgeous and hard-to-find sculptural porcelain box with a lid. It is shaped like a woman's head with a hat; the top of the hat forms the lid. It is not only a highly decora...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Hand Blown Octagonal Murano Glass Box in Smoked Garnet
Located in New York, NY
This sophisticated modernist decorative box was realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It features...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Murano Glass
1950s Murano Green Opaline Jewellery Box with Gilt Metal Edging
Located in London, GB
A 1950s Murano green opaline jewellery box by Cendese with gilt metal edging.
There are other available colours and designs under other listings.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Italian Leather Box Desk Storage
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Italian black leather desk organizer, circa late-20th century, 1970s, Florence, Italy. This desk piece organizer is black leather, comprised of five (5) boxes with a rich clear lacquered wood back, brass hinges, and a center rest area (shown with car key, and small change purse...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Hand-Painted Dome Top Wood and Brass Decorative Chest
Located in Germantown, MD
A fancy highly decorative, hand painted wooden box in good vintage condition. Heavy solid brass hardware. Meadures 19.5" in width, 10.25" in depth and 14" in height.
Category
Late 20th Century Argentine Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Stunning "Kyoto Box" in Tessellated Penshell 1980s 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
Exceptionally crafted "Kyoto Box" in tessellated penshell with brass inlays on top and trim around base by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed “Karl Sprin...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Novelty Solid Silver Box by Theo Fennell - 1986
Located in Bath, GB
A highly collectable heavy, solid sterling silver box signed on the underside by the famed London silversmith and Jeweller, Theo Fennel.
The box is hand crafted in the form of a tru...
Category
1990s British Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Set/2 Pots, Ceramic Pots, Green, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Chaucer Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes two waterproof ceramic pots with lid, perfect to be displayed together and enrich your room decor.
Each piece has its own elegant silhouette in mint-green glazed ceramic with gloss finish plus hand turned beech wood base and lid lacquered in bronze gold-powder.
Set of 2 Ceramic Pots Chaucer...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
Giant Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Onyx Black with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Impressive in its scale alone, this stunning hand-blown Murano glass box exudes luxury and refinement. Handcrafted on the historic Venetian island of Murano, this oversized box comma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Contemporary 'Pixel' Jewelry Box Handmade Black Wood and Glass by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2022 Collection of Jewelry boxes by Ghirò Studio.
'Pixel' is perfect synthesis of timeless style, innovative design and italian craftsmanship excellence. This box is entirely in woo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Glass, Wood
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Onyx Black w/ 24Karat Gold Flecks
Located in New York, NY
This elegant and impressive modernist decorative box was realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Murano Glass
Set Tronador Medium Mini Boxes, Onyx Stone and Silver Alpaca
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stone, Onyx
Low Murano Emerald Sommerso Glass Rectangular Box, Contemporary
Located in Westport, CT
One of a kind Murano handcrafted low rectangular shaped clear blown glass box with floating green orb center creating a beautiful sculptural effect, each box with its own customize...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Murano Glass
Contemporary Modern, Bebek Chestnut Wood Single-Compartment Box
By DAY Studio
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Istanbul is a wooden box collection inspired by some of towns most iconic buildings: Galata Tower, Hagia Sophia and Bebek Mosque. Each item takes its name from these structures. The ...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Chestnut
$75 Sale Price / item
24% Off
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Emerald Green with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Hand-Blown Murano Box in Emerald Green with Brass Fittings captures the allure of old-world Venetian artistry reimagined through a lens of bold, contemporary refinement. Rich eme...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Boîte Corniforme II by Joris Grelet
By Joris Grelet
Located in New York, NY
Glazed ceramic. Abstract form ceramic box with lid. Artist signed on the underside.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Alexandra Von Furstenberg Acrylic Treasure Box in Magenta Smoke - Medium Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add a bold pop of modern glamour to your space with this acrylic treasure box by Alexandra Von Furstenberg, featuring a striking purple and white Magenta Smoke. Made from high-qualit...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Emerald Green with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This exquisite Murano box, hand-blown in a vibrant emerald green, is a celebration of Venetian craftsmanship and refined geometry. Its octagonal form is both striking and sculptural,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Dean Santner wood box / jewelry /decorative . Signed
By Dean Santner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful wooden box by the well known Dean Santner .
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Cornflower/Lilac Bone Box, 12x7
Located in New York, NY
Modernist Cornflower/Hydrangea lavendar bone keepsake box lined in wood. A great addition to any coffee table, bedside or desk.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone
Hand-Blown Murano Giant Box in Tobacco with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This exquisite octagonal box is a celebration of bold geometry and artisanal finesse, rendered in hand-blown glass in a rich Tobacco hue. The clear-cut architectural silhouette frame...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Ruby with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Ruby with Brass Fittings is a radiant celebration of color, craftsmanship, and Italian elegance. Meticulously hand-blown in Murano, this striking piece showc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
$3,475 / item
Tissue Box in White Shagreen by R&Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The White Shagreen Tissue Box by R&Y Augousti is a sublime expression of modern elegance and meticulous craftsmanship. Encased in luxurious shagreen, its textured finish exudes refin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Shagreen Stingray
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Amethyst with 24 Karat Gold Flecks
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This evocative and alluring Murano glass box is a magnificent fusion of masterful craftsmanship and natural beauty. Handcrafted on the famed Venetian island of Murano, this box showc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
Tiffany Smart & Modern American Sterling Silver Desk Box
Located in New York, NY
Smart and Modern sterling silver box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover flat and hinged with slight overhang. Stylish Midcentury design. Fully...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Modernist Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Smoked Bronze with Brass Detailing
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful modernist decorative box was realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It features a v...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Murano Glass
Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Spotted Jet Black & Clear Glass Box w/ Brass Fitting
Located in New York, NY
This chic and sophisticated Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Box in Spotted Jet Black & Clear Glass W/Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. Features a rectil...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Alfred Dunhill Germany 1990 Decorative Desk Box In Black Leather & Chromed Steel
By Dunhill
Located in Miami, FL
Desk box designed by Dunhill.
Beautiful decorative vintage desk box, created in Germany for Alfred Dunhill, back in the 1990. It was made up in shiny black leather with a discrete f...
Category
1990s German Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Steel, Chrome
$348 Sale Price / item
30% Off
Contemporary American Modern Large Seashell Box
Located in Queens, NY
Contemporary American Modern rectangular box, with an applied seashell veneer and green, teal and blue patterned interior.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Coral
Contemporary American Modern Seashell Music Box / Jewelry Box
Located in Queens, NY
Contemporary American Modern music box / jewelry box with an exterior finished in beige and pink speckled seashells, which opens along a hinged edge to a red velvet interior, with a ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Coral
21st Century Leather Pedal Paper & Waste Bin Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
A chic and sleek aesthetic for our wastebasket with a black pedal.
Available with a 3 and 5 liter capacity and a soft closing function that will avoid any loud noises. Finished i...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather
21st Century Leather Door Stop Handcrafed in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Keep your doors open.
Hand-crafted in leather it includes a matching handle which blends into the design, while making it easy to pick up and move between rooms. A soft door stop ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather
Bone, Horn Patchwork Box
Located in New York, NY
Decorative keepsake, jewelry box clad in geometric horn and bone tiles, some with hand engraving, lined in wood. A great addition to any desk or coffee table.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Horn, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Brass & Mirror Vanity Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elegant vanity/storage box showcases a striking blend of materials and craftsmanship. Featuring a polished brass handle at the center, the box is topped with beveled mirrored li...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Burl Walnut Thuya Wood Handmade Jewelry Casket Box Manning of Ireland Irish New
Located in Dublin, Ireland
This rare North African Thuya Wood Jewellery Casket was manufactured by the famed manning of Ireland company and is truly a jewel of handcrafted genius. This box is constructed of th...
Category
Early 2000s Irish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Contemporary Modern, Aya Chestnut Wood 2-Compartment Box
By DAY Studio
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Istanbul is a wooden box collection inspired by some of towns most iconic buildings: Galata Tower, Hagia Sophia and Bebek Mosque. Each item takes its name from these structures. The ...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Chestnut
$126 Sale Price / item
24% Off
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Black with Bubbles and Chrome Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Discover the epitome of elegance with this exquisite Pulegoso technique box, meticulously crafted in Murano and signed for MOGUL. This box, available in both large and giant sizes, e...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Chrome
21st Century Leather Soft Rectangular Tissue Box Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Just perfect. A must have for your living, for your bedroom, for your bathroom, for your office.
A soft rectangular tissue box in calf leather that comes in a wide range of colors...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box M in Leopard with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This avant-garde adornment is a unique and eye-catching piece that combines the rich tradition of Murano glassmaking with a contemporary and fashionable design. Handcrafted on the hi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Box, Bulgari Watch Case, Black Leather with Cardboard Box, 1990.
By Bulgari
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Box, Bulgari watch case, black leather with cardboard box, 1990.
Case, Bulgari watch box, very good condition, black leather box with cardboard box,...
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather
Handcrafted Three Trinket Boxes Mod Geometric Design
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a modern set of three (3) geometric design trinket boxes. Handcrafted wood. Unmarked. Country and designer information not available. Clan modern decorative d...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
$180 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Contemporary Iridescent Pearl Crystal Bowl, Brass and Gold 24 Kt by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of covered bowls by Ghirò Studio.
This covered bowl is one of a kind. The material used and the artisanal and artistic workmanship make it unrepeatable. In fact, two...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Gold, Brass
Italian Modernist Black Marble, Lapis, Tiger, Pink Rhodochrosite Butterfly Box
By Richard Blow
Located in North Miami, FL
This stunning and hard to find vintage modernist Pietra Dura Italian stone hinged box has an elaborate butterfly in the center of the black marbl...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Marble
21st Century Leather Origami Box for Closet & Wardrobe Handcrafted in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Our Origami box is an endlessly useful complement for a master closet. Two sizes ideal for organizing your interior.
Made with eco-friendly, washable an...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather
Vintage Orange Glass HInged Box with White Coral Top Black Velvet Interior
Located in North Miami, FL
This absolutely stunning vintage orange glass hinged box has a white piece of organic coral as the top. The inside is a black velvet interior. It is from the 70's and was sold at Sak...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Coral
Vintage Signed Chrome, Brass, Black Resin Hinged Monumental Sculptural Box Italy
Located in North Miami, FL
This stunning and sculptural monumental beautifully made Italian hinged heavy box is signed and stamped Linea Ble Roma. It is from the 20th century and is comprised of chrome, brass ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Tiffany Modern Sterling Silver Box with Bold Wave Edge
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Modern sterling silver box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Rectangular with flat and hinged cover. Sides and front have wraparound low-relief band of imbricated chevro...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Alexandra Von Furstenberg Acrylic Treasure Box in Pink - Medium Storage Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add a bold pop of modern glamour to your space with this acrylic treasure box by Alexandra Von Furstenberg, featuring a striking hot Pink. Made from high-quality Lucite, this chic de...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
21st Century Rio Rectangular Closet Box Handwoven in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
The Rio collection, smooth and soft design specially studied for your closet.
A box made with the resistant regenerated leather with two practical holes as handles on the short si...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather
Orange, Natural Bone Cheveron Box
Located in New York, NY
Cheveron patterned keepsake, letter box made from dyed orange and natural bone. Box has a wood lining.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Palmwood
Rectangular Shagreen Box with Brass Trims by Ginger Brown
By Ginger Brown
Located in Bourguebus, FR
This modern box by Ginger Brown is handcrafted with shagreen and brass trims striping.
The box is hinged and the interior is lined with a high quality black microsuede.
The col...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
American Modern Sterling Silver Box by Ubaldo Vitali for Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver box. Long and rectangular with straight sides and sharp corners; cover hinged with overhanging rim and gently curved top. Box interior cedar lined and partitioned. Cover interior gilt. Nice proportions. Plenty of room for engraving. Fully marked including maker’s (Ubaldo...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Vintage Onyx Stone Trinket or Jewelry Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rectangular vintage trinket box made from polished green onyx stone, featuring natural banding and soft earthy hues of green, beige, and honey tones. The box has a smooth, ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble
English Modern Sterling Silver Box with Saudi Arabia Association
Located in New York, NY
Elizabeth II sterling silver box. Made by Peter Nicholas & Co Ltd in London in 1989. Rectangular with corner bracket supports and hinged open scroll end handles. Cover hinged and fla...
Category
1980s British Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
21st Century Leather Eyeglasses Box Cover with Mirror Handcrafed in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Combining tradition and modern design to provide an unmistakable flair of luxury and elegance.
Our glasses box has a wood base and enough space to store up to eight pairs of glass...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Japanese Kazaribako Glass Box Rare Hagoromo Kyohei Fujita
Located in Atlanta, GA
A brilliant Kazaribako "Ornamented Box" made of glass by Japanese artist Kyohei Fujita (1921-2004) circa 1990s. The hand-blown green glass box featur...
Category
1990s Japanese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
1980s Modern Tessellated Stone Rectangular Lidded Box
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a modern, tessellated stone storage box attributed to Maitland Smith, circa the 1980s. This gorgeous box features a tessellated stone exterior with inlai...
Category
1980s North American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble
Tiffany Stylish Midcentury Modern Sterling Silver Desk Box
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Modern sterling silver desk box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover flat and hinged with rectilinear rim. Box interior cedar lined a...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Hexagonal Brass & Silver Decorative Box with Wooden Interior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unique hexagonal decorative box combines sleek geometric form with a mix of warm and cool tones. The exterior features a polished brass lid accented with silver-plated edging, c...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
American Midcentury Modern Sterling Silver Desk Box
By Andrew A. Taylor
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Modern sterling silver desk box. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with gently curved top and molded rim. Box interior cedar-lined and partitioned. Fully marke...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Modern decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique 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 Modern decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative boxes, popular names associated with this style include AIREDELSUR, Lusitanus Home, Greenapple, and Paola Valle. 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 $27 and tops out at $82,000 while the average work can sell for $989.
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