Carved Decorative Boxes

This box is a real treasure! Completely had carved from walnut the detail in the flowers and leaves is quite remarkable. This box required a real master craftsman to achieve the outs...

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...

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...

Round snuffbox in gold-plated 800/1000 silver with translucent fired enamel on a guilloché pattern with a blue line, in the English Art Nouveau style of the early 1900s. External dia...

A fine example of an English needlework casket from the Charles II period (1660-1685), with silk work exterior panels depicting various figures and animals, a top mirrored compartmen...

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...

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...

Beautiful novelty bronze box with lovely theme of two love bird. Exquisite addition to any room.

Fantastic and rare example of Black Forest folk art, a tour de force of carving by a master woodworker. This lift top box in the form of a thatched cottage has many wonderful details...

This exceptional 15th-century Venetian painted casket is a rare example of early decorative art from the late Medieval to early Renaissance period in the Republic of Venice, Italy. H...

American walnut hinged sugar chest with exposed exterior dovetails and resting on the original incised molded edge stand with pointed cone feet. Secondary wood consist of Tulip popl...

Dimensions : 3.1 x 3.1 x 3.9 " 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.2" The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a...

English military leather chest with original brass mounts, braided tacks, and brass side handles. All original. Early 19th Century

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...

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 ...

Anglo Indian carved mahogany cat with ebonized stripes and a curious expression, featuring a secret compartment on the bottom.

Gorgeous MCM stylized solid rosewood wood can be used as jewelry box card holder or ring holder lidded box, circa 1970s. The small box is Truly a stunning piece with beautiful grain...

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. ...

Fully Fitted Sewing Box From our Sewing Box collection, we are delighted to introduce this Antique Rosewood Sewing Box. The Sewing Box of rectangular form veneered in Rosewood with ...

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...

With a Fitted Sewing Box Interior From our Tunbridge Ware collection, we are delighted to offer this Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box. The Rosewood box of rectangular form extensively inla...

A good antique English, Charles II (Carolean) period carved oak bible or document box, circa 1680. Such boxes were particularly popular in the 17th century, when printed bibles were very expensive and a treasured family possession. The bible was most likely the only book owned by a family and was also the means of recording births, deaths & marriages which would be written on the flyleaf or endpapers. They were also used to protect other important documents and valuables and were brought to colonial America by early settlers. This bible box dates shortly after the English Civil War & the brief time that England was a Republic (known then as the Commonwealth) under Oliver Cromwell. The box typifies those Puritan values, simple six plank construction with a hinged lid enclosing a storage area for a bible or important documents. The front of the box having a carved foliate twin lunette design with a hand cut steel lock & hasp above, the box is robust & solid & for it's 350 or so years it is in very good condition! This very early antique carved bible box...

A French dore bronze mounted blue opalescent and dore bronze finial covered box. This round form box is very unusual with a blue opalescent color and dore bronze mount. The top is fi...

Carved box in solid Macassar ebony. It is opened by means of a handle that is also carved. It is signed "A.Noll" on the underside.

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...

English Georgian Tortoise shell hinged sewing box with a gadrooned molded edge lid, fitted tufted interior, and resting on the original silver plate winged paw feet. Early 19th Century

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...

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...

Italian Carved Walnut Casket Box, 16th century, with low relief carved birds in roundels in recessed roundels with trellis motif and iron handle. 5.5" H x 12.25" W x 5.75" D. Prove...

Exceptional 19th century French coconut trinket box hand carved with acanthus leaves on the lid, jewelry like metal work on the rims, expertly carved neoclassical motifs all around a...

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, ...

Glaciar collection is meticulously handcrafted by our local artisans with these rectangular onyx pieces set around alpaca silver flower vases, boxes and trays. Our pieces are made...

An early 19th century Spanish Baroque style carved walnut marriage chest, or wedding coffer. Fine hand-carving with architectural elements typical of 18th century Baroque or Renaissa...

Early 19th century regency mahogany tea caddy circa 1820. Made using flame mahogany veneers.  Brass handles with star motif to the sides.  Canted corners strung with satinwood.  Sta...

Sterling silver gold plated snuff box with translucent fired enamels on guillochè and monochrome blue hand-painted miniatures on five sides and fine hand engravings on all edges. Eng...

Mounted with Silver From our Sewing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Solid Coromandel Anglo Indian and Silver Sewing Box. The Sewing Box of...

This cave a liqueur set is truly special because the box is exquisitely Carved and has the original beveled glass. The decanters and stem Ware are by St. Louis and the original la...

Manufactured by Chapman and Retailed by Leuchars From our Boxes collection, we are delighted to bring to market this extremely rare Coromandel Letter Box Clock by Chapman retailed b...

19th century Japanese lacquer box of fish shape.  

Contemporary ebonized tray by Vincent Pocsik Carved walnut tray with ebonized finish. Natural food safe oil and wax finish. Vincent Pocsik finds the balance between old and ...

Oval-shaped snuffbox in 925/1000 gold-plated sterling silver with two-tone fire-enamelled stripes. English style, early 1900s. Dimensions: 8 x 4.5 x 2 cm. Weight: 84 g. Designed in 1...

Rare Engine Turned Design The Sewing Box of slight sarcophagus shape stood upon four turned ribbed feet. The Sewing Box tapers up to the convex raised lid and features scrolling fl...

This antique decorative box is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from China, and date to approximately 1920 and done in a period Chinese...

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...

Antique English Regency cellarette / cassone casket / coffer / coffret , trunk or marriage chest. Made of carved mahogany featuring blind fretwork ...

Shaped rectangular table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine hand-etched fire-enameled engraving painted like lapis lazuli stone and...

Hispano-Moresque Mudéjar Bone-Inlaid Walnut Chest
 Spain, 16th–17th century 
Walnut, bone inlay, iron fittings
 44.5 × 30.5 × 18 cm This rectangular walnut chest, richly ornamented ...

Vintage Asian Silver Metal Hand-Carved Sitar Veena Box. Elevate your decor with this stunning vintage box, featuring intricate hand-carved designs of a sitar and peacock. The ornate ...

Scottish Regency mahogany hinged cellarette with foliage cartouche, gadrooned molded edge, original brass circular side handles, lead lined interior with stopper, and resting on carved foliage scrolled triangular feet...

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...

This is a rectangular, gold-plated sterling silver pill box, exquisitely decorated with translucent enamels over a guilloché (engine-turned) pattern and featuring a hand-painted flor...

Decorative Mughal Raj Vizagapatam Carved Veneered Bone Jewelry Rectangular shape Box. Vintage Asian lidded box crafted with bone finely engraved and hand painted in black with geometric Moorish designs. Delightful Anglo Indian footed box crafted with an intricate patterned polished bone inlay mosaic over a wood frame. Handmade in Vizagapatam, India, mid 20th century. Elegant intricate pattern. A true work of Islamic artwork...

Price is for the pair. This exquisite pair is crafted from the finest rare honey onyx sourced from Pakistan, using only single boards (full one piece slab) of stones for all sides of...

Circa 1900 Chinese box decorated with green, blue, red and yellow floral design set against a white background. The top with a carved white jade floral medallion. The apple green ena...

Mid 19th century Swedish hand painted strong box / chest circa 1850. Good quality example of a Scandinavian strong box, which offers many use's around the home today, such as storag...

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 ...

Beautiful old tramp art box, jewelry box or trinket, trinket box, made in the first half of the 20th century, Belgium. Beautiful form of folk art, anyone could make a tramp art obje...

An elegant 19th-century Oriental desk box or storage chest, crafted from wood and hand-decorated with exquisite polychrome detailing in shades of red, bl...

Near pair set of large Chinese carved and embossed red lacquered wooden rectangular presentation boxes with gilt decoration, circa 1910. Beautiful boxes crafted with dovetail joiner...