Carved Decorative Boxes

Mid-20th century wooden box with silver bow/knot lid by french brand Hermès Paris By: Hermès Paris Material: fabric, silver, wood, leather, metal, silver plate Technique: cast, plat...

PRESENTING A GORGEOUS 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Sadeli Mosaic Sarcophagus Sewing Box. Made in Bombay, India circa 1860-80. Box made of sandalwood with highly carved teak wood reliefs and panels on all sides. Edged with bone and ebony veneers and glorious sadeli mosaic, made from tiny pieces of faux ivory, pewter, green semi-precious stone. The box is in a sarcophagus form with domed lid. The original brass carry handles are on the sides. The interior is in great condition and consists of a removeable mirror under the lid portion, with the original red velvet lining behind it. The base is removeable and contains a number of lidded compartments. 6 of the interior lids on the base, are each inlaid with sadeli mosaic banding. The rest are also carved and chased. The interior is fully complete with 7 lidded faux ivory/bone, thread canisters with sadeli domes and the original bone thimble. The box sits on 4 brass ball or bun feet with the original velvet lining on the base. Some minor repairs and losses, but this box is fully complete. This is ‘rare’ as many of these boxes have not survived in such condition! Included in the sale are 2 photos that were in the box (under the base tray). Interestingly, one of them is a view of downtown Nassau, New Providence (Bermuda) from the early 20C and stamped on the rear. What a ‘journey’ this piece has made! Made in India … travelled to Bermuda, probably via Britain … back to Ireland (where we bought it) …. then to Texas! These boxes were made by superb Indian craftsmen, specifically for sale to the ruling British elite. These types of boxes, carved padouk and sandalwood, (whilst beautiful and superbly crafted) were of a lesser quality, than the more profusely and intricately mosaic inlay, tortoiseshell and ivory boxes, made for the British ‘Upper Classes’ in the areas of Bombay and Vizagapatam. These type of boxes were much more affordable back in 1880 (and indeed today) and would probably have been bought by mid-level diplomats, civil servants or visitors. Sewing boxes (in general), were in EVERY Victorian home in Britain in the 19th Century and like other boxes etc were ‘status symbols’ of your place in society! The more ornate the box, the more ‘Upper Class’ you were! Of it’s type, this one, is one of the very higher quality one’s, than the norm! SADELI MOSAIC: “Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins. The ancient art of Sadeli Mosaic is said to have been introduced from Shiraz in Persia via Sind to Bombay, a long time before the Anglo Indian boxes were made. It was a technique, which required a high degree of skill and patience. It was executed very lavishly, in that the frequent cuts wasted a great amount of the precious materials used. The workmanship was however more than commensurable to the value of the materials. Ivory, silver, pewter (or other metals), wood and horn were cut into faceted rods which were bound together to form geometric patterns. When the glue has set, the rods were sliced in transverse sections. This gave the maker a number of angled circular pieces in the original pattern. Several variations of patterns could be achieved by combining the materials in different ways. The ivory was sometimes dyed green to give an extra color. The mosaic pieces in a combination of patterns, often separated by ivory, ebony, horn or silver stringing were used to veneer sandalwood boxes. In the early boxes, which date from the turn of the 18th to the 19th century, there are large panels of mosaic covering tops and sides of boxes. It took incredible skill to cover such large areas without any shakes or wavering of the pattern. The corners and joins on these boxes are impeccably matched. The makers (reputed to be Persian) of Sadeli mosaic made in the first two decades of the 19th century displayed a total understanding of the qualities of the different materials they used. They combined substances, which can expand and contract according to atmospheric conditions with others, which are hard and unyielding. The result was a sharp definition of the lines and patterns, which made up the whole design. On the early boxes the designs look deceptively simple. The fact is, they emerged from a culture, which had mastered geometry and understood how to generate a pattern from a set number of points. The patterns are so harmoniously combined that their incredible complexity is not immediately apparent. The earliest Sadeli boxes...

Franco Salimbeni Gold-Plated Sterling Silver and Enamel Cigarette Case with Hunting Dog Miniature by Romano Buccioni, Florence, 1976 Exquisite rectangular cigarette case with softl...

Charming Antique Tramp Art Box, France, Circa 1900 A very charming tramp art box featuring beautifully hand-carved work in two-toned wood. The lighter sections are framed with delic...

Antique Pewter Caviar Box Herring Fish Lid Glass Insert Luxury Tableware An exceptional antique silver pewter caviar box, masterfully handcrafted and richly adorned with intricate A...

Cigarette case silver 925 , striped and oval section in 925/1000 sterling silver. Opening button and spring opening . Early 20th century Art Deco style. ...

Internal Music Box Playing Two Aires From our Writing Box collection, we are delighted to bring to the market this exceptional French Palais Royal Musical Writing Box. The Writing ...

Rounded rectangular pill box in 925/1000 sterling silver with a fine hand-engraved Baroque-style design and fire-enamelled finish. Dimensions: 3.5 x 4.3 x 1.4 cm. Weight: 36 g. Desi...

Vintage carved wood box features Modernist abstract organic form and striking choice of solid wood. Asymmetrically sculpted box is covered with a rounded lid, lined with felt fabric ...

A superb and richly detailed Large 19th century French green cut crystal and gilt bronze box in the refined Louis XVI style. This exceptional piece is crafted from vibrant emerald gr...

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...

English black lacquered and gilt stenciled figural pagoda hinged tea box with exterior gilt stenciled dragon motif, original interior pewter hand chased figural container with bone k...

Rectangular pocket cigarette case with long rounded sides in 925/1000 sterling silver with red and black fire-enamelled stripes. With button and spring opening. Measurements cm. 10.3...

Vizagapatam box, India, 19th century. This highly decorative and unusual Anglo-Indian table box features rustic workmanship that adds to the character and charm of this unique Sout...

Vintage carved wood box features Modernist abstract organic form and striking choice of solid wood. Asymmetrically sculpted box is sliding inside its rounded lid; the bottom of the ...

Antique Textile Fragment in Sterling Silver & Hardwood Presentation Box Textile: Circa 600–1400 CE Box: Mid-20th Century A refined and historically rich presentation box housing an...

Chinese Mid-Century small rectangular hardwood box / cabinet features 2 hinged swing doors both carved and inlaid with faux white jade above a bottom drawer with incised metal scroll...

Mid 19th century mahogany brass bound campaign writing slope circa 1860. Good quality military-campaign writing slope, with secret compartments. Rectangular shaped box with brass s...

Rectangular cigarette case with rounded corners in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fire-enameled and hand-painted miniature by painter Renato Dainelli depicting a pheasant....

19th century inlaid Killarney ware writing slope circa 1870. Beautiful Irish killarney region writing slope, beautifully inlaid with the various woods they used to craft with. Killa...

Gorgeous Tramp Art box / Jewelry box marked 1893 and decorated with brass. The box contains multiple guns & pike helmets and a lions head holding a brass ring to open the chest. ...

Antique Rajasthani Shekhawati Merchant's Footed Chest Box India 1900's. Early 20th Century Indian carved wood storage cash footed box used by merchants in ...

Pill Box Yellow floral miniature in Art Nouveau style Sterling Silver Salimbeni.Round pillbox in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent...

A 19th century French fariniere, made of walnut with nicely detailed hand-carved floral relief on front panel. Good craftsmanship with dovetailed construction. Waxed patina. Small re...

A set of two French Provencal decorative boxes including a porte-couteaux, or knife rack, and a boite à sel, or salt box. Each made of walnut with fine hand-carved decoration. Waxed ...

A lovely Chinese turquoise ground cloisonne "double peach" box and cover with shaped hardwood stand, Republic Period (1911 to 1949), early 20th century, China. The box formed as a p...

A rustic Indian antique wooden treasure box from the 19th century, with iron braces, carved rosettes and petite feet. Created in India duri...

A handmade wooden jewellery box with a lid and lock, it is perfectly designed and created in a suitable size for keeping valuables inside. The top of this box has leaf patterns and l...

An 18th century French fariniere, made of walnut with nicely detailed hand carved sunflower relief on front panel. Good craftsmanship with dovetailed construction. Waxed patina. From...

7.5" x 3.5" x2" 8" x 4" x2.3" 9" x4.5" x 2.5" Tafi oval box, it is made entirely by hand in alpaca metal and onyx stone. It comes in three different sizes and you can choose between...

17th Century English Jacobean Carved Oak Bible Box. Period Jacobean solid dark oak bible box from the 17th century. The front is beautifully carved wi...

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Vanity Box by Mappin & Webb in Coromandel with Sterling Silver dated 1854. The vanity box is of rectangular form extensively veneered in exotic coromandel and edged throughout with brass, incorporating double brass stringing to both the lid and front with a raised escutcheon to the centre. Opening the vanity box reveals a complete fitted interior comprising seventeen glass bottles topped with engraved sterling silver lids hallmarked for James Vickery, London, 1854. The quality of silver mounted fittings reflects the mid nineteenth century standard expected from a luxury retailer such as Mappin & Webb. The front panel folds down to reveal wing compartments which pivot outward through 180 degrees. Within sits a comprehensive mother of pearl handled tool pad incorporating a shoehorn, penknife, thread hook, multiple pairs of scissors, tweezers, file, needle and pricker. Beneath the tool pad is a concealed compartment accessed by depressing the retailer’s plaque positioned along the rear edge of the case. The retailer’s plaque reads: Mappin & Webb, Sheffield 158 to 162 Oxford Street & Mansion House Buildings London. With the wings extended, additional concealed drawers can be accessed by removing the rectangular jars positioned to the rear and depressing the back edge of each compartment base, activating a spring loaded latch mechanism. The underside of the lid houses a removable mirror bordered with gold tooling, designed to stand independently on its bracket. Behind the mirror is a further concealed compartment suitable for storing correspondence or documents. A fully fitted mid nineteenth century coromandel vanity box...

This exceptional geometric acrylic Lucite lidded box was designed in Italy. The piece was meticulously crafted circa 1960. This substantial box features a modernist shape with an inc...

Rectangular table box with rounded corners in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with two-tone translucent fired enamels with guillochè stripes and hand-engraved motifs. George V E...

Immerse yourself in timeless elegance with this rectangular pill box, featuring two subtly rounded sides. Crafted from 925/1000 gold-plated sterling silver, it boasts a hand-painted ...

Heavily Inlaid with Mother of Pearl and Abalone From our Writing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this stunning Antique Inlaid Writing Box by Hausburg. The Writing Box of rec...

Sweet little Chinese export brass box with beautiful floral etched designs, looks like peonies to me. With a lovely white jade top carved in fretwork with a vase framed by the flower...

An exceptionally decorative Middle Eastern Mamluk Revival brass jewelry or trinket box, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1900–1920, and displaying the elaborate hand-worked or...

Large egg on smooth tripod with 8-day mechanical skeletal Swiss movement with alarm, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché and hand-paint...

This superb Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver. it has a rectangular shape with rounded sides Table Cigar Box has hand engraving, with orange and ...

18th Century Welsh strong box with carved detail.  

This antique chip-carved wooden box, from the late 19th century, features intricate geometric and floral patterns on its surface. The hand-carved details showcase a symmetrical arran...

This charming sewing box was crafted in France around 1900, blending early Art Deco geometry with the warmth of traditional craftsmanship. Made of solid wood, it features diamond‑sha...

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...

This Antique Carved Cinnabar Box. China. Early 20th Century with Dragon Cover and date to approximately 1920. The box is composed of brass with a vibrant blue enamelled interior and ...

A Highly Important Viennese Enamel, Silver, Lapis Lazuli, and Rock Crystal Mounted Hinged Box, Attributed to Hermann Ratzersdorfer. The box is constructed from silver-gilt and fully ...

Dutch Colonial ebony box with silver mounts, large silver hinges and the original steel lock and key. This rare box was likely made in the Dutch East India possession of Sri Lanka, o...

A late Qing Dynasty period wedding box from the early 20th century, this piece exudes charm with its traditional design and intricate carvings. The box features an appealing hexagona...

Antique Brown Wood Repoussé Chased Engraved Silver Stamp Box Case Dogs Continental Wood, metal c. 1900 Dimensions: H x W x D: 4.5cm x 10cm x 5.5cm Crafted around 1900, this antique stamp box...

19th century Italian Renaissance style octagonal box with burl wood and veneer fruit wood and dyed wood inlay. Florence, Italy circa 1890's. This lovely small box is decorated with w...

An Incredible 19th Century Royal Casket Box/Safe with Coat of Arms, Made of Gold, Damascene, and Etched Steel. Charles Le Hon, a Belgian politician, lawyer and industrialist, served...

19th century folk art box, with burl wood veneer and mother of pearl and fruit wood inlay. The surface decorated with geometric, diamond and star motifs. The raised top with a banded...

A 1930's French Gilt Lacquered Wood Pagoda Form Chinoiserie Platinum Painted Box, Attributed to Jansen. At first glance, the box's visual allure is simply breathtaking. Adorned with ...

This exquisite square box is handcrafted from natural honey onyx, celebrated for its warm golden tones, luminous translucency, and mesmerizing layers of cream and amber banding. The ...

A Very Large 19th Century Antique French Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu Mounted Covered Box, Attributed to Baccarat. This incredible large crystal box is all hand-diamond cut and attri...

2 handmade boxes included. Rare 1800s Tramp Art Lion Door knocker Hand Carved Storage Box / Jewelry Box / Crimson Velvet with Brass Hardware With intricate and elaborate decoration, ...

Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...

English zebra wood military campaign writing desk with brass bound molded edges, original recessed side handles, fitted leather interior with tooling and retains the original crystal ink wells...

A "cigarros" humidor desk box in carved oak wood and sterling silver This is a beautiful desk humidor box created during the late Victorian period, back in the 1890-1900. Most proba...

Rectangular table snuff box with 2 slightly rounded sides in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamels on guillochè and hand-painted floral miniature; oute...