Hand-Carved Decorative Boxes

Rectangular snuffbox in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine hand engraving, fire enamelled, in “Rococo” style from the early 19th century. Measurements cm. 4.5 x 7.7 x 2. ...

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...

Exceptionally detailed 19th century carved bone gunpowder flask Italian, 19th Century Height 36cm, diameter 11cm This unconventional gunpowder flask, created in Italy in the 19th ce...

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...

Spanish Colonial style painted and gilt wood table top vargueno, a chest with eight drawers and four doors with iron drop pulls. A sweet little chest with a lot of personality, decor...

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...

How can this not make you smile? This well-carved antique Black Forest box of an expressive shaggy dog with glass eyes, forward gaze, open m...

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 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...

Unique four-leather-books-design liquor tantalus with hidden decanters. If you are looking for the most interesting and worldly gift for yourself, a friend or a loved one then this cool antique...

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...

Small egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé, late 19th century, early 20th...

A 19th century erotical secret box. Extremely rare erotic sculpture from the 19th century, most probably created in France, circa 1870. This is a sculptural box depicting a woman sitting on a woven wood basket. The sculpture represents a small discrete treasure chest to keep jewels. It was masterfully crafted from pieces of cream and brown wood carvings and is fitted with a screwable part to reveal the interior. This is an outstanding object, unobtainable on the antique market and of high collecting. Other examples of these enigmatic boxes produced in the 19th Century. Gilded and patinated bronze, made in France during the 3rd Empire. Ca 1870 Weight: 192.2 Grams, (123.20 Dwt). Measurements: 150 mm by 63.5 mm by 89 mm (5.91 x 2.5 x 3.5 Inches). Condition: The overall condition of this sculpture is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to any part. This erotic box...

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...

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

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

A Chinese Carved Red Lacquer Cinnabar Box, 19th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Description: Cinnabar is a red mineral compos...

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 ...

Vertical cigarette case in 925/1000 sterling silver with fire-enameled red stripes and hand-engraved finishing. In a modern contemporary style. Measurements cm. 6 x 2.3 cm high. 11. ...

Egg Purple Red enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg Purple Red enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg Purple Red...

An Important and Rare 17th to 18th Century Italian Pietra Dura Ormolu Mounted Ebony Jewelry Box/ Casket, attributed to Ducal workshop. The rectangu...

Swedish Empire Butter Box, ca 1820-1830 Beautiful dark pattern and color. Old repair and signs of wear. Made of Swedish Kolmården marble. Heigth: 7.5 cm/2.9 inch Width: 13 cm/5.1 ...

Rectangular table box with inward corners in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent enamel fired on guilloche and a fine round miniature in the centre, diameter cm. 4....

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...

Snuff Box Silver is in 925/1000 sterling. Snuff Box Silver has black fired enamels on guilloché. Snuff Box Silver has a lid with geometric design ...

A fabulous example of a French fruitwood box carved beautifully carved into the form of a trunk. Look closely at the amazing detail, the side handles, the leather stitching, the l...

Rectangular pill box with 2 slightly rounded sides, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with a miniature hand-painted by the painter Romano Buccioni depicting a “pastoral” scene ...

A 19th century French fariniere, made of walnut with simple clover leaf shaped top. Good craftsmanship with dovetailed construction. Minor loss on upper right side. From Provence, a ...

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...

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...

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...

19th century American folk art box with decorated with inlaid hearts, diamonds, triangles and shields. Possibly sailor made, this sweet little box was likely a valentine or keepsake ...

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...

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...

Gold-Plated Sterling Silver and Enamel Pill Box with Floral Miniature by Romano Buccioni for Salimbeni, Florence, 1980 Charming shaped pill box in 925/1000 sterling silver, gold pla...

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...

Crafted from wood with intricate, hand-carved details, this vintage tramp art box is another timeless peice of history to treasure. Featuring a layered, hand-carved design, original ...

Antique Italian ballot urn shaped wooden box, carved and painted, coming from Tuscany, Monte San Savino near Arezzo in Central Italy. This ballot urn is an excellent example of a 17th century wooden voting box...

Exceptional Octagonal Butter Box, ca 1850, Jämtland, Sweden Hand-carved stone box in octagonal form. The modernistic shape is simple and striking, with a patina formed through age a...

Octagonal table box in 925/1000 sterling silver with fire-enamelled Art Deco design. Dimensions diameter cm. 15.8 high cm . 8.2. Weight gr. 974. Designed by Giorgio Salimbeni for Cartier USA in the 1980s, inspired by objects designed by Louis Cartier around 1920 and manufactured in Florence in various specimens, also in parure with other objects and in different colors, in the headquarters by the Salimbeni firm with completely manual execution by artisan artists with thick slab and large reinforcements suitable for withstanding numerous high-fire enamelled firings at about 750°<800° C. About cooperation Salimbeni and Cartier. Our first meetings with the Cartier USA Company took place through the Giorgini Company, the first "Buying Office" set up in Florence immediately after the Second World War, which had the purpose of bringing together Florentine, and also Italian, producers with American buyers, who especially appreciated the artistic objects still manufactured by artisans who still took inspiration from the Italian Renaissance, using techniques handed down from generation to generation. Mrs. Gina Pestelli, wife of a Florentine retail jeweller, was in charge of contacts with Cartier USA, above all an employee, while her daughter, also for Giorgini, took care of the fashion that in those years was affirmed in Florence with the events of "Pitti ". With their help, we began to supply frames and boxes in sterling silver gold plated with malachite and other semi-precious stones. At the same time, the official buyer of Cartier, Mr. William Smith, began to appreciate and commission the first objects with fired enamels, a process of which we have always been specialists. In 1975 we began exhibiting at the prestigious New York Jewellery Association Show, which we participated in both the February and July editions, for a good 26 years until 2001. In New York in those years the "Art deco style" was still very much appreciated, still mindful of the beautiful early 20th century architecture of the great buildings such as the "Crysler" or the "Empire State". We then began to produce frames, boxes, evening bags, "objets de vertu" and other objects in "art deco style" which were very popular with Mr. Smith who gave us some photocopies of Louis Francois Cartier drawings to reproduce them. Thus, numerous cigarette cases, powder compacts, evening bags, frames and table boxes were created exclusively for Cartier USA which, at the time, had the prestigious "Silver Department" on the first floor of the Cartier store on Fifth Avenue. An evening bag, with matching cigarette case and powder compact, were redone on the design created for a gift given to Mary Pickford at the time. In a 1986 Cartier...

Anglo-Indian Mother of Pearl Inlaid jewelry Box. 1940s Victorian Anglo Indian box in silver, bone and mother of pearl Inlaid. An elegant Anglo Indian bon...

French handcrafted solid ebony wood box made in the 1950s. Can be used as a jewellery box or as a decorative object. Good condition.

A luxurious English writing box of circa 1879, in the manner of Tunbridge Ware using burled walnut that has been inlaid with mother-of-pearl and geometric marquetry. The top of the l...

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

19th century victorian burr walnut desk top writing slope circa 1870. Fine quality english made victorian writing slope.  Exterior of rich burr walnut with tunbridge ware inlay deco...

Daniel Loomis Valenza Lidded Hand-Carved Box. Sculptural Lidded Box fits together like a glove! Beautiful Walnut with amazing grain. In very nice original condition!

Handcarved wooden trinket box with carved geometric shapes, small handmade ornamental indentations and cream white decor on the lid. Rustic organic ...

Shaped pill box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with a hand-painted miniature with fired enamel by the painter Romano Buccioni in the Louis XVI Empire style of the second hal...

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...

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...

A Viennese Bouquet: Art Nouveau Snuff Box by Franco Salimbeni, 1973 This exceptional round snuffbox is a profound homage to the opulent artistry of late 19th-century Viennese Art No...

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...

Dome Topped Stationary Box From our Boxes collection, we are delighted to offer this Victorian Hungarian Ash Stationery Box by Howell James & Co. The Stationary Box is veneered to t...

A lovely 19th century oak lidded-top table chest with hand carved leaf scrolls and roundel carvings, having swivel carrying handles to the sides. The chest has a rustic charm and sh...

19th century Anglo-Indian sandal wood box, Sadeli mosaic box fitted with various compartments finely hand-carved with the Taj Mahal. Of sarcophagus form ...

A Moroccan Decorative Lidded Box, 20th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Dimensions: Height: 27cm. Width: 31cm. Depth: 18cm.

Square pill box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with hand-painted miniature depicting a sailboat. English Art Nouveau style, early 1900s. Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 1.2 cm. Weight:...

Swedish Wood Book-Hide ca 1850 With beautiful intricate carvings. Made out birch wood. Heigth: 5.5 cm/2.1 inch Depth: 9.5 cm/3.7 inch Width: 17 cm/6.6 inch

A rare and very fine quality antique figural Palais Royal mother-of-pearl needlecase, etui or bodkin, hand-carved in the form of a young man wearing a Renaissance style hat, made in ...

A beautiful octagonal-shaped limestone box with amazing patina. With engraved and gilded letters. Hand made from limestone in Sweden, mid 19th Century. Good condition. Wear consiste...