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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Set/2 Pineapple Ceramic Pots, Black, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pineapple Decorative Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes two waterproof ceramic pots with lid, perfect t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Gold
Paw Jar with Brass Inlay by Marcantonio
Located in Kolkata, IN
Paw Jar is a delightful object from the Forest collection. It has intricate brass and resin inlay in blue and pink, with an endearing leafy lid.
For his debut creations, Marcanton...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Albert Dahan for Vallauris, Unique Lidded Box in Glazed Stoneware, Ca 1970
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Albert Dahan for Vallauris. Unique lidded chest in glazed stoneware.
Beautiful glaze in shades of blue.
Ca. 1970.
Measures: 21 x 16 cm.
Height: 13.5 cm.
In excellent condition...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stoneware
Vintage Lucite Box with Foiled Enameled Cloisonné Blue Abstract Top Signed
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage lucite and mixed-media box, vessel or container has a removable foiled enameled cloisonné top with a spectacular signed artistic design. The colors of the enamel top are...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Enamel, Foil
Ghirò Studio Jewel Box in Brass and Glass, 2019
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant jewelry box signed by the artist Ghirò Studio of Milan. The jewelry box is made of solid glass cut, carved and polished by hand in an elegant covered bowl. Cast brass tie...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
"Quadra" Square Leather Box Designed by Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Quadra" is a square leather box, designed and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Colors combination to be chosen from the available range: tan...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather
Black Stripes Ziggurat Boxes by Oeuffice
By Oeuffice
Located in Geneve, CH
Black stripes ziggurat boxes by Oeuffice
Edition: 12 + 2AP
2012
Dimensions: 25 x 25 x 55 cm
Materials: Wood box, acrylic, solid stained wood.
The ...
Category
2010s English Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Acrylic, Wood
Opinion Ciatti Snow.White Object Holder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Snow.White, an elegant object holder (available in black or white marble) with an inner mirror and details in galvanic gold brass. Part of Once Upon A Time, the collection designed b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble
Fibra Large Basket by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Fibra large basket by Sebastian Herkner
Materials: 100% Esparto grass.
Technique: hand-woven in Colombia.
Dimensions: diameter 60 cm x wide 45 x height...
Category
2010s German Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Natural Fiber
Maitland Smith Leather Wrapped Lidded Jewelry Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maitland Smith brown leather decoration embellished with an embossed silver tone pattern, interior lined with brown lacquer.
Category
1980s Philippine Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather, Fabric
Small Porcelain Pot, Design Vintage 1960.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Small Porcelain Pot, Design Vintage 1960.
Vintage small porcelain pot, design, circa 1960, brand Homas, Germany.
h: 9cm , d: 9cm
Category
20th Century German Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Secret Watch Jewellery and Pen Display Box. Macassar Ebony leather and Shagreen.
By Boucher & Co
Located in Queensland, AU
This intriguing box of drawers has four very secret, independent, opening mechanisms and provides storage for watches, jewellery including rings, cufflinks and earrings. It was cre...
Category
2010s Australian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Nickel
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
Horn Mosaic Decorative Jewelry Cigarette Box Art Deco Modernist Style
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This elegant decorative box showcases a striking geometric mosaic design crafted from natural horn, creating a sophisticated Art Deco meets Modernist aesthetic. The box features a se...
Category
2010s Unknown Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Horn
Continental Silver Filigree Decorative Flower Box
Located in London, GB
A continental silver filigree decorative flower box
Continental, Early 20th Century
10cm high x 11cm wide x 7cm deep.
This delicate and charming piece,...
Category
20th Century European Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Minimal design pear wood desk pen box Giordano Viganò
Located in Novedrate, IT
Pen box made of pear wood with a minimalist design. Pear wood has a pinkish color and is distinguished by fine, delicate grain that makes it elegant. The construction of this box is ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pearwood
GAME CARD HOLDER - CIGARETTE HOLDER made of genuine shagreen bluette
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Design Modern and valuable skin come together in this box in the shape of pannier, ideal for guard playing cards, cigarettes, or again, small jewelry.
Part of the exclusive ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Modernist Long and Flat Lucite Box, circa 1980
Located in Atlanta, GA
This modernist lidded box from the 1980s is made from Lucite. The stunning piece features an extra long and flat rectangular shape with an intricate clear and frosted geometric desig...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lucite, Plexiglass
American flag in glazed presentation cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Here we present a traditionally folded American flag in glazed cabinet.
Complete with certificate to say that the flag was flown over the capital and presented by the architect of t...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Fabric, Glass, Teak
Fibra Medium Basket by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Fibra medium basket by Sebastian Herkner
Materials: 100% esparto grass.
Technique: Hand-woven in Colombia.
Dimensions: Diameter 47 cm x width 34 x height 10 cm
Available in co...
Category
2010s German Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Natural Fiber
Ceramic Box by Nanni Valentini for Ceramica Arcore, Italy, 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Ceramic box by Nanni Valentini for Ceramica Arcore.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Matheson Standard Tote by Zach Matheson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Matheson Standard Tote, designed and produced by Zach Matheson in Washington State, USA in 2024. The design is comprised of recycled post-industrial mesh, Washington and Or...
Category
2010s American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather, Cord
Sunchos Basket I by Pauline Deltour
Located in Geneve, CH
Sunchos basket I by Pauline Deltour
Materials: 100% recycled Polypropylene
Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 53 cm
Available in colors: salmon/ lilac/ turquoise, black/ white, orange/ ...
Category
2010s German Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Plastic
Ceramic Leopard Sugar Pot , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Crafted at Senzo Duma Ceramics in South Africa, this ceramic Leopard sugar pot measures 5 inches high, 6 inches long, and 4 inches wide. Artisan Lefu's sculpting skill portrays the l...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Modern Etched Brass Coaster Bar Set Presented in an Agate Decorated Lucite Box
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
These modern brass coasters are etched with a snakeskin animal pattern and are presented in a Lucite box decorated with a Rose Quartz Agate cabochon.
This unique and bespoke coaster set is part of the Egg Designs Dawa luxury bar set collection and will be a great addition to any home cocktail...
Category
2010s South African Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Quartz, Brass
Birdie Miller Raised Artisan Jewelry Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Birdie Miller Raised Jewelry Box. Looks equally good off of it's raised platform. Made of several woods with rosewood handles. Signed to bottom platform.
Category
1990s American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mahogany, Maple, Rosewood, Walnut
Ceramic Tiger Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Royal Violet: Handcrafted Tiger Box" by Love Art Ceramic. Sculpted by Motsamay, painted by Sabelo in regal purple. The unique lid, a masterpiece by two artisans, offers a one-of-a-ki...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
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 partitio...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Perlino and Marble "Rovinette" Business Card Holder, Ilaria Bianchi
Located in Geneve, CH
Perlino and marble "Rovinette" business card holder - Ilaria Bianchi
Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 16 cm
Materials: Pink Perlino, Macauba marble
Rovinette, the new desk...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble
1994s Ancella Armchair Project by M. Lovi for Giovannetti Collezioni
Located in Casalguidi, IT
A unique bedroom armachair - elegant, comfortable and functional at the same time. Ancella is suitable for the bedroom and dressing-room.
Beechwood frame. Shape-retaining polyuretha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Small Caribe Chic Basket 1 by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Small caribe chic basket 1 by Sebastian Herkner
Materials: Galvanized and powder-coated tubular steel. PVC strings are made from recycled pla...
Category
2010s German Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Steel
Giant Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Emerald Green with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This rectangular emerald green Giant Green Murano Box is a stunning testament to the beauty and artistry of Murano glass. Handcrafted on the historic ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Morpho Blue Butterfly Frame in White Oak and Brass by Cam Crockford
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Morpho blue butterfly frame in white oak and brass by Cam Crockford
Additional Information:
Materials: White oak - brass - linen - blue morpho butterfly...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Table Box Enamel two-tone ruby red and emerald green Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table box in 925/1000 gold-plated sterling silver with translucent fired enamel stripes on guilloche, two-tone ruby red and emerald green, in a modern contemporary style....
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold
Small Caribe Chic Basket 3 by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Caribe Chic basket 3 by Sebastian Herkner
Materials: Galvanized and powder-coated tubular steel. PVC strings are made from recycled pla...
Category
2010s German Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Steel
Sunchos Basket III by Pauline Deltour
Located in Geneve, CH
Sunchos basket III by Pauline Deltour
Materials: 100% recycled Polypropylene
Dimensions: D 31 x W 26 x H 26 cm
Available in colors: salmon/ lilac/ turquoise, black/ white, orange...
Category
2010s German Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Plastic
Aimara Medium Alpaca Silver Box
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The waves on a choppy lake, rough by the wind, inspire the design of alpaca boxes and picture frames of this family, whose name comes from the tribe that dwelled in the North Argenti...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Modernist Tall Box with Wood Marquetry Patchwork, 1970s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This remarkable modernist decorative box dates back to the 1970s. The piece boasts a tall structure that will capture anyone's attention. The box is square and features an interior m...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Contemporary Jewelry Box Handmade Black Wood and Engraved Glass by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2022 Collection of Jewelry boxes by Ghirò Studio.
This box is perfect synthesis of timeless style, innovative design and Italian craftsmanship excellence. This box is entirely in wood with a matte black finish. The lid is embellished with carefully crafted glass with the utmost precision.
The crystal has an amber color finish rich in gold reflections that highlight the various hand-made engravings...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Glass, Wood
1970s Modern White and Fake Tortoise Shell Lucite Rectangular Italian Vanity Box
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This vanity box is an high quality italian mid-century item, blending practicality with striking aesthetics. This piece captures the era's love for innovative materials and sleek, fu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lucite
Modern Cast Brass, Chiseled Timber and Resin Dawa Cocktail Bar Set
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
The Dawa luxury bar set is a great addition to any home cocktail bar. This set is a stock item and available to ship. These items can be bought individually, shipping prices would ch...
Category
2010s South African Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Copper, Brass
Rare Christofle Laque de Chine Box - Sienna.
By Christofle
Located in Bath, GB
A rarely found piece of Christofle "Laque de Chine", part of the Talisman range by the creme de la creme of French silversmiths, Christofle of Paris.
The body is made from silver ...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
Modern Copper Straw Bar Set Presented in an Agate Decorated Lucite Box
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
These modern copper straws are presented in a Lucite box decorated with a Rose Quartz Agate cabochon.
This unique and bespoke copper straw set is part of the Egg Designs Dawa luxury bar set collection and will be a great addition to any home cocktail bar...
Category
2010s South African Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Quartz, Copper, Brass
Belt real black python buckle Sterling silver fire enamel hand painted Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Belt in genuine black python reptile with oval buckle in 925/1000 silver with translucent fire enamel on sunburst guilloche and hand-painted miniature depicting a branch of peach blo...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Onyx Marble Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful, substantial, Belgian, modern brown, caramel, and white onyx marble and brass hinged box, circa early to mid-20th century, Belgium. Box is rectangular in shape and c...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble, Onyx, Brass
1994's Ancella Armchair project by M. Lovi for Giovannetti Collezioni
Located in Casalguidi, IT
A unique bedroom armachair - elegant, comfortable and functional at the same time. Ancella is suitable for the bedroom and dressing-room.
Beechwood frame. Shape-retaining polyuretha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Heart table box Yellow enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Heart-shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent enamel fired on guilloche above and below. Contemporary modern style. Dimensions cm. 9 x 9.5 cm high. 3.Weight gr....
Category
1990s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Ebony Turned Canister, Half Spiral Large
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Curving lines and timeless elegance.
Essentially dark and dense, sustainably sourced, this object is the perfect marriage of extravagance and l’art du savoir-faire.
The preciou...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Other
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
Silver Box with Deer Ornament on Lid, circa 1940
Located in New York City, NY
Silver Box with Deer Ornament on Lid, France, c. 1940
Elegant silver plated box with a sitting stag adorning the top.
Additional Information:
Materials: Silver Plated Metal
Origin:...
Category
20th Century French Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
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
American Modern Sterling Silver Box
By Woods & Chatellier
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver box. Made by Woods & Chatellier in New York, ca 1920. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with molded rim and gently curved top. Box interior cedar-l...
Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Tronador Rectangular Cream Onyx Stone Box
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
Small Brass Beetle Secret Box
Located in Milan, IT
Lined in velvet and topped with a beetle, this box has everything required to keep precious objects safe. An eye-catching accent for any space, the brass box is designed and crafted ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Neon Green Acrylic Small Round Box by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Modern, colorful and fun round box that can be used as a decorative element on a coffee table, desk or nightstand. Serving double duty as a storage box or as a candy bowl.
They loo...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Acrylic
Lune Box by Greg Natale
By Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
The unique Solar collection conjures the spirit of the mystical universe. Natale’s solar candles encompass mysticism and pairs it with clean architectural lines in an evocative and e...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
1980s Modern Silver Plated and Plexiglass Rectangular German Vanity Box
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This German vanity box from the 1980s is a wonderful example of how designers during that period experimented with blending traditional craftsmanship with new materials, resulting in...
Category
Late 20th Century German Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
AIMARA Large Alpaca Silver Box
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The waves on a choppy lake, rough by the wind, inspire the design of alpaca boxes and picture frames of this family, whose name comes from the tribe that dwelled in the North Argenti...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
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.