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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Snake Small Round Box
Located in Milan, IT
This sophisticated box in prized, clear crystal pays homage to snakes, its scaled texture etched to imitate their skin. Rendered in a fierce pose channeling a sense of dynamic tension, a bronze snake plated...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Crystal
Snake Large Round Box
Located in Milan, IT
Also available in a smaller variant, this exclusive, round box is inspired by the symbolism and hypnotizing charm of snakes. Fashioned of clear crystal boasting a pleasant scaled texture, this luxury design is distinguished by a bronze snake plated...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Crystal
Square Brown Leather Box
Located in New York, NY
Square brown wood box covered in fur with a lift-off cover.
Category
20th Century American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Fur, Leather
Bespoke Orange Alligator Backgamoon Chip Set Box
By IMPATIA
Located in Milan, IT
With a continued desire to push the boundaries of luxury design within the game table industry, IMPATIA unveils a brand new contemporary Backgammon chip...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Chrome
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
Stanley Szwarc Stainless Steel Rectangular Large Box Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous long and unusual rectangular box is polished satin stainless steel. The dimensions of the work on top have flower like bursts in Industrial and floral forms. It is not ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stainless Steel
21st Century Sideroid Azimuth Coffer in Yellow Resin - Nikos Sideris and CTRLZAK
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
"An object of desire coming from the stars. Sideroid Azimuth has a double soul: an artistic artifact and a container of precious items. Based on the ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Gandia Blasco Touareg Small Candle Box by Sandra Figuerola
Located in New York, NY
This piece, with its standard volume and geometric, universal and contemporary language, has a unity of criteria. The Farol Touareg subtly filters the light, just as the lattices tha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Aluminum
American Cowhide and Brass Box
Located in New York, NY
American cowhide upholstered box with brass nail heads.
Category
20th Century American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
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
Modern Burl Veneer Covered Dresser Box
Located in New York, NY
Modern covered dresser box with burl wood veneer. Measures: 4" H x 9.75" L x 7" D. Minor restoration to one corner of lid.
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Burl
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
Rectangular Dark Gray Leather Box
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary rectangular dark gray leather box with two large brass hinges (Made in Italy).
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Small Chest in Quartz
By Didoni
Located in Milan, IT
Inspired by the Italian Renaissance, this splendid small rectangular chest boasts a sophisticated and eclectic allure. Meticulously manufactured, it combines three refined gemstones: lapis lazuli on the checked top, mother of pearl enhancing the edges on the hinged lid, and a splendidly green malachite making up the sides of the piece. The base of this small chest...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Quartz
Italian Silver Plate and Burgundy Crocodile Buckle Hinged Box Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This stunning and gorgeous Italian vintage hinged silver plate buckle box has a burgundy crocodile leather buckle part. It was professionally polished and the bottom of the box had t...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
Saturn and Pluto Box, Marble and Brass, by Bohinc Studio
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
The box’s interlocking shapes reference this year’s exceptional planetary conjunction between Saturn and Pluto. The Saturn and Pluto box features three brass round compartments with tops in calacatta, red travertine and portoro marble.
Handmade in Italy using a mix of handmade metalwork and 3-D milled marble parts. Please note that no two marbles are alike and there will be variations in the pattern as well as in the colour of the pieces.
Please note that even though brass is protected by clear varnish, it may still oxidise over the years which is a natural ageing process.
Each object is individually numbered and comes with a signed Certificate of authenticity to prove that it is Bohinc Studio...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble, Brass
Karl Springer White Snake Skin Lidded Box with Semi Precious Stone, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Artisan box in white snake skin on outside with a semi-precious stone on top by Karl Springer, American 1970's. The craftsmanship on Springer’s pieces is unsurpassed.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Multi-gemstone
Gandia Blasco Fez Candle Box 4 by José A. Gandía Blasco Canales
Located in New York, NY
“All the magic you need for lighting a dinner with friends, a party, your garden, a deserted beach or a romantic dinner where only moonlight could ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Aluminum
Modernist Translucent Glass Stylized Egyptian Eye of Horus Dish by Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
This stunning modernist dish was realized by the esteemed German maker Rosenthal. It offers a sinuously curved ellipsoid form with raised sides and a central circular depression. The form suggests the ancient Egyptian symbol of the Eye of Horus...
Category
20th Century German Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Glass
Oscar Tusquets Contemporary Leather Starry Pyramid Limited Edition
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Starry Pyramid by Oscar Tusquets and Pere Ventura for Exhibition-event Homo Faber celebrada en Venezia septiembre 2018.
Limited edition of 8
A pyramid shaped tabernacle.
Leather covered faces...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather
1800s Antique Wood and Forged Iron Box
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Fabulously aged antique wood box with handles.
Box is adorned with patinated metal trim pieces and forged iron nails.
No maker stamp pre...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal, Iron
Lovely Sterling Silver Keepsake Box with Engraved Flowers
Located in New York, NY
Lovely sterling silver keepsake box. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged and tabbed. Cover top has engraved border with dense and overlap...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Juno Box, Marble and Brass, by Bohinc Studio
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Bohinc Studio’s new Juno box comprises a large brass body and a smaller round compartment. Details in green ming, red travertine, calcatta and portoro ma...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble, Brass
Daam Dah 7-1, a Unique Black Glass Lidded Box with Gold Detail by Choi Keeryong
Located in London, GB
Daam Dah 7-1 is a unique black cast glass lidded box with 23.5 carat gold leaf, by the South Korean artist, Choi Keeryong. When casting glass, tiny bubbl...
Category
2010s European Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Gold Leaf
1990s Stainless Steel Funky Art Boxes by Stanley Szwarc
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Sensational stainless steel sculptural art boxes
handmade in the United States by Stanley Szwarc.
1. small box dated March 27, 1998 4.75 w x 1.5 h
2. big box dated February 22, 2002 ...
Category
1990s American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stainless Steel
Gandia Blasco Fez Candle Box 3 by José A. Gandía-blasco Canales
Located in New York, NY
“All the magic you need for lighting a dinner with friends, a party, your garden, a deserted beach or a romantic dinner where only moonlight could ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Aluminum
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
Gandia Blasco Fez Candle Box 1 by José A. Gandía-blasco Canales
Located in New York, NY
“All the magic you need for lighting a dinner with friends, a party, your garden, a deserted beach or a romantic dinner where only moonlight could ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Aluminum
Gandia Blasco Fez Candle Box 2 by José A. Gandía-blasco Canales
Located in New York, NY
“All the magic you need for lighting a dinner with friends, a party, your garden, a deserted beach or a romantic dinner where only moonlight could be more attractive” - José A. Gandí...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Aluminum
Gandia Blasco Touareg Large Candle Box by Sandra Figuerola
Located in New York, NY
"This piece, with its standard volume and geometric, universal and contemporary language, has a unity of criteria. The Farol Touareg subtly filters the light, just as the lattices th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Aluminum
20th Century Silver Box, Hungary, circa 1980
By Artex
Located in Cagliari, IT
Magnificent box in sterling silver and wood. On the lid are set reproductions of ancient coins of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In fact the producer of this article, Artex, was a bra...
Category
1980s Hungarian Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Italian Mahogany and Chrome Modernist Decorative Box, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian mahogany and chrome modernist decorative box, 1970s.
Long rectangular shape with Minimalist design. Framing in polished chromed metal with a unique decoration on the top. In...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tessellated Stone Boxes by Maitland Smith
Located in New York, NY
This elegant pair of modernist boxes were realized by the celebrated 20th century design firm Maitland Smith in the Philippines, circa 1980. They feature two cylindrical bodies- one ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stone
Modern Black and White Stone Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
An English modern style black and white stone jewelry or trinket box, circa late-20th century, England. Box has tapered corners and is polished smooth. A...
Category
Late 20th Century English Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stone, Marble
French Sculptured Gilt Bronze Box by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt bronze box or podier by French Jeweler Line Vautrin, in the pattern of "Moise ou la traversee du desert" coric 1940s-1950s.
A rare mode in the box, the top surface of the cover illustrates the biblical story of Moses crossing the desert out of Egypt...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Orange and Black Decorative Ceramic Box by Jean Grison French Art
By Jean Grison
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Jean Grison
Original and decorative ceramic box
Signed under the base, realized circa 2000
Elegant orange and black ceramic colors effects
Original good condition
Meas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Grey Italian Pottery Covered Table Boxes, 20th Century
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of figural Italian pottery covered boxes.
In the form of grey pears with a twig and leaf stem.
A charming pair of figural boxes!
Marked to the bases with a parti...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pottery
Decorative Ceramic Box Orange and Black Colors by Jean Grison
By Jean Grison
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Jean Grison
Elegant and delicate decorative ceramic box by the French artist.
Many ceramic colors effects.
Signed under the base, circa 2000.
Original good conditions.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
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
Cork and Silver Ice Bucket
Located in New York, NY
Elegant bar accessory. Interior is lined with stainless.
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
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
Belgian Modern Brown Onyx Marble and Brass Jewelry Box from Belgium
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful, substantial and chic Belgian modern brown, caramel, and white onyx marble and brass hinged box, circa early to mid-20th century, Belgi...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Brass
Four Vessels with Indonesian Lids in Silver
Located in Roma, IT
There are four vessels with Indonesian lids in silver.
Dimensions:
1, Height 3.5 cm, width 10.5 cm, length 4.5 cm
2, Height 4 cm, diameter 10 cm
3, Height 4 cm, diameter 6 cm
...
Category
20th Century Indonesian Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Box Decorative Brass Swedish, 20th Century, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Box decorative brass Swedish, 20th century, Sweden. A box made in Sweden during the 20th century. Interior with wood. No key.
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Pair of Black and Clear Lucite Decorative Boxes
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of 1970s modernist Lucite small decorative boxes with black acrylic bases and clear lids. Perfect as a trinket or jewelry box.
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite
20th Century Italian Silver Box Embossed and Chiselled by Hand Acorn Shape
Located in VALENZA, IT
Decorative acorn-shaped 800 solid silver box.
The body of the box is round and has been embossed and chiseled with the typical grain of the acorn.
The lid, larger than the body, perfectly follows the domed shape of the oak fruit...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
A Box by J. Muckey
By J. Muckey
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare walnut box by J.Muckey-a craftsman active in the 1970's.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Walnut
Chic Modernist Lizard Skin Wrapped Box in Natural Tones
Located in New York, NY
A modernist lizard skin match-wrapped box with removable lid. Its interior is lined in a dark brown ultra-suede with lid supports by means of wooden plinths on two opposing sides of ...
Category
Early 2000s Philippine Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Animal Skin
Small Box with Decorative Scenes of the Reveillon Aerostat
Located in Roma, IT
Paris, Age of Louis XVI
Interesting and rare small rectangular box entirely tempera decorated on each face with scenes of the flight demonstrations of the Reveillon Aerostat invente...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Vintage Signed Chrome, Brass, Black Resin Hinged Monumental Sculptural Box
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
Wonderful Alfonse La Paglia Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Modernist Box Handle
Located in Roslyn, NY
Alphonse La Paglia sterling silver modern covered box with unusual handle on the lid.
Lovely vintage condition.
Measures: 4" H x 3" W x 2.5" H
Approximate 193 g sil...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Karl Springer Hand Lacquered Kyoto Box 1984
Located in New York, NY
"Kyoto Box" in double glaze faux mushroom shagreen lacquer with faux ivory inlay detail on matching Stand by Karl Springer, American, 1984. (Shown with origi...
Category
1980s North American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Karl Springer Bullfrog Skin Box, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural lidded box covered in bullfrog skin with brass hinge by Karl Springe, American, 1970s.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Animal Skin
20th Century Italian Mushroon shape Silver Box. Embosse and chiselled by hand
Located in VALENZA, IT
Decorative silver 800 mushroom shape box,
The body is embossed and cheased completely by hand.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
20th Century Italian Mushroom shape Silver Box. Enbossed and chiselled by hand
Located in VALENZA, IT
Decorative silver 800 mushroom shape box.
The body is embossed and cheased completely by hand.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Pair of Smoky Rock Crystal Quartz Lamps with Silvered Wood Bases
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of smoky rock crystal quartz lamps with silvered wood bases. The rock crystal is hand-cut and hand-polished into geometric shapes. When the lamps are lit the smoky rock c...
Category
20th Century French Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Rock Crystal, Quartz
Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Casket
Located in New York, NY
Maitland Smith style Modern bone tessellated large casket box case with wood paneled interior. 10" H x 15" W x 10" D. In good condition.
Dealer: S138XX.
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Wood
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
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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