Hand-Crafted Decorative Boxes

A beautiful brutalist torch cut steel, dyed bronze and glass enamel Containment box by the noted Des Moines Iowa artist James Bearden. It is one of a series of three. Please see the ...

This is a good quality Art Deco period Jewelry Box with oval mirror in lid and a sliding shelf, made in different hardwoods with a marquetry top, probably French in origin and datin...

Solid silver 800 box the shape of a tree trunk. The feet are oak leaf and the knob depicts a squirrel on two oak leaves holding an acorn in his hands. The hinged box is gold-plated ...

This is a very decorative, circular Ladies Compact made in France, Circa 1920 The compact is very well made with a circular body having a hinged lid ...

Russian embossed brass umbrella / walking stick stand with four serpentine studded panels decorated with eagle and shield motif, flanking lion head pulls, lead lined...

Great decorative Moroccan Berber Tuareg metal brass powder flask. African decorative brass with front richly decorated with Moorish embossed brass ocverlay. Moroccan tribal powder fl...

A highly unusual and exquisitely crafted French egg-form covered box, attributed to Baccarat and dating to the mid-to-late 19th century, composed of luminous white opaline crystal an...

A guilloche enameled round box with flowers Beautiful enameled box, created in Pforzheim Germany, during the art deco period back in the 1915-20 This beautiful box was carefully cra...

Crafted from wood with intricate, hand-carved details, this vintage tramp art box is a timeless treasure. Features a layered, hand-carved design, original lock and hinges, and white ...

Leather trunk Spanish, 17th century Boiled Leather, wood and iron Measures: 22 x 53 x 32 cm. Provenance : - collection Metz-Noblat, Château de Clevant, France Rectangular trunk of the form and size of a small suitcase with wrought iron hinges and lock-plate. Wood, covered with leather, cut and embossed with every surface of the thick cow hide covered in interlace, zoomorphic features. The construction method is boiled leather, often referred to by its French translation cuir-bouilli: a process used to change flexible, vegetable-tanned leather into rigid, moulded objects. For shaping of the vegetable-tanned leather, heat and moisture were used, as indicated by the term boiled leather. No written medieval sources describing the production of decorated cuir bouilli objects survive, so knowledge of the process relies on the important studies of the Scottish leather historian John William Waterer. A large range of methods, materials and techniques could be used in various combinations. The vegetable-tanned leather, made supple with moisture and heat, was stuffed, shaped and nailed to the rigid wooden coffer support. The stuffing material was probably modeled beeswax or stearin wax. To shape the leather, to create its topography, « Cushions » were made by lacing a thread through an awl hole and attaching the flexible leather and stuffing to the rigid wooden support on the bottom. Then the decoration was done: lines were incised through the upper layer of the leather (epidermis) with different thicknesses of knives or needles. Contours were created with deep v-shaped cuts, decoration with thin incision and final details with a needle point. For the incision and pouncing stage, the leather was probably kept heated and moistened for suppleness. Once dry, the leather would be hard and rigid. the saturated leather is worked over a form, possibly even damp sand, with the pattern shaped using bone or wooden tools. Compare to metal, leather was lighter and it offered protection from cuts and punctures. Cuir bouilli objects were produced by specialist leather workers and needed skillful craftsmanship. The surface is filled with roundels shaped foliages enclosing animals, lions and peacocks. The foliate arabesques creating a vegetal connection tweet the animals create the impression of a lush verdant space . The vegetal pattern here employed in combination with geometrical pattern came from the pre-islamic artistic traditions of the Byzantine and Sasanian empires. An aspect of Islamic geometry Is the basic symmetrical repetition and mirroring of the shapes that create a sense of harmony. The decoration of this truck is inspired by the islamic « arabesque » a form of vegetal ornament composed of spirals, intertwining plants and abstract curvilinear motifs. An arabesque character is given to the birds of the decorations through extreme stylisation. This arabesque maintained the classical tradition of median symmetry, freedom in Detail and heterogeneity of ornament. The presence of the peacocks is a paradisiacal allusion: in popular Islamic literature they were among the original inhabitants of the garden of Paradise expelled with Adam and Eve. Peacock as a decorative motif may have originated in the West, despite their eastern provenance. There was an ancient belief that the flesh and feathers of peacock do not decay. This led to the peacock becoming a christian symbol for Christ’s resurrection. Renowned for their decorative wall hangings, seventeenth-century Spanish leatherworkers also produced utilitarian objects, such as this trunk. A similar trunk is on display at the Metropolitan museum of art ( 09.158.1). Related literature : Davies L. 2006. Cuir bouilli. Conservation of leather and related materials, 94-102, Oxford: elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann Grabar, Oleg. The Mediation of Ornament. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1992 Gabriela Germana Roquez, "El mueble en el Peru en el siglo XVIII...

Made in Florence, Italy in the early years of this century, this large rectangular Mauritian-style box named "Bernini" a was made entirely by hand by skilled Florentine artisans. Th...

Spanish Colonial inlaid bone and faux tortoiseshell domed top box. Original hammered iron hinges. Circa 1680-1740. Excellent condition and very rare.

This is the grandfather of Michael Elkan boxes. Retaining it's original surface and the rarely seen or found interior boxes of which this group is intact. All made from the same bloc...

This unique and original work of art was sculpted by Michel Kiriliuk. Born in France and self-taught, this sculptor, interior designer, and painter describes himself as an ultra-baro...

The circular box and conforming cover carved in realistic detail, with grainy texture and undulating bark-like sides, overall glazed or stained in a dark molasses color, the interior...

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely one of a kind Winsor & Newton 1977 Queen Elizabeth Jubilee presentation with sterling silver ...

Completely handmade sterling silver candy box. The box is round and pot-bellied. Embossments and chisels of flowers were made all over the body. The box is divided into three sect...

Great condition for its age. No major losses or damage. Has original sewing pieces inside.

Oval box in solid 800 silver with embossed daisies and 24kt golden interior. This box was made entirely by hand giving it an oval shape. The lid, finely embossed with flower motifs...

This highly decorative box dates to the early 20th century and it is a rare folk art piece based around a Victorian pine box and later decorated with a bold well arranged collection of English shells which has been glued onto its four sides in graduated matching boarders with an interesting collective display of individual ones on the top. This most interesting and eye catching box is in good condition. The shells show some age related patination. The pine box is raised onto plain square block feet. It is fitted with the original good strong brass hinges and a working Victorian brass lock and key...

Decorate a coffee table or a shelf with this elegant and colorful casket. Crafted in Italy circa 1880, the Venetian box stands on heavily carved feet decorated with gilt acanthus lea...

Petite and charming Ceylonese rectangular porcupine quill box with ebonised casing and inlaid bone decoration. The sliding lid reveals a plain cedar wood interior. Superb variation o...

A superb pair of Modernist 18ct white gold and lapis lazuli cufflinks. Stamped 'seven hundred and fifty' along with maker's mark 'R'. Circa 1970's. European. Each having rectangul...

These boxes were made for British military officers who were posted in Burma (now Myanmar) & India during the days of British rule. The brass & copper bound teak case is pr...

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 studio craft, handmade box. The main box is created in a clean cube of figured American walnut. The lid and angular "legs" are of maple, and at the very top, a detailed cast bronze...

This is an amazing and exquisite lapidary work. A mix of many hard stones carefully crafted . Many semi-precious stones .Paper label in back , R Romanelli .

Designed by Jean Gillon for WoodArt in the 1960s, this pipe holder reflects the sculptural clarity and material sensitivity that define the designer’s contribution to Brazilian moder...

Lovely 60's carved and stained solid wood box, quality folk art and handcrafted work. Beautiful vintage condition, with traces of age and use throughout (see photos).

This unique and original work of art was sculpted by Michel Kiriliuk. Born in France and self-taught, this sculptor, interior designer, and painter describes himself as an ultra-baro...

An absolutely beautiful box, crafted from genuine natural malachite. Uncommonly light in color, this rare specimen displays intricate layers of swirling patterns that captivate the e...

Victorian English bird's eye maple lap desk, with ebony and mother-of-pearl inlay. The dome shaped top has a brass shield medallion in the center. The interior has a vibrant purple f...

Crafted in southern France circa 1860, this octagonal antique metal casket features a silvered surface richly adorned with repousse floral and foliate motifs. The hinged lid opens to...

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...

Middle Eastern Moorish Mother of Pearl Inlaid Marquetry Jewelry Box. Exquisite middle Eastern Moorish Syrian inlay jewelry box covered with fine Moorish micro mosaic marquetry. Beaut...

This pair have the typical shape of boxes from this period, with shaped serpentine front, sloped hinged lid, and boxwood and ebony lines. Each cover is inlaid with an oval patera and...

Hand-Blown Murano Box in Aqua Blue with Silver Flecks and Chrome Fittings captures the essence of Venetian artistry through an exquisite fusion of form, material, and luminosity. Thi...

Rounded rectangular snuffbox in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine hand-painted fire-enamelled miniature depicting a female face wearing Art Nouveau style clothing, hand-...

A Very Large 19th Century Ormolu Mounted Sèvres Celeste Blue Ground Porcelain Box with Watteau Scene Cartouches. This box consists of signature celeste blue ground of Sèvres porcela...

Enameled etui necessaire designed by Georg Adam Scheid (1837-1921). This is an extraordinary etui necessaire oval box created in Vienna Austria at the workshops of Georg Adam Scheid...

Elevate your collection with this exquisite Antique George V Anglo-Indian Mahogany Fishing Tackle / Bait / Writing Box, dating to circa 1920. Masterfully crafted from richly grained ...

Travel in style with this exceptional French antique vanity case, crafted in Paris circa 1855 by the esteemed maker Perret, a renowned goldsmith, cabinetmaker, and leather specialist...

This Gift box was made by artist Bruny Graves. It's made in a Raku style. Raku is a low firing process that produces unpredictable and unique results. The box is full of Haiku scroll...

The HERCULES SCARAB box is a best seller at Ginger Brown. This piece is made in lost wax cast brass with a bronze patina. The brass lid is covered in shagr...

A lovely dome shaped bone box from India. The box can be decorative or hold anything from rubber bands to 420. A compliment to cocktail tables, shelves, bedside or on an end table ...

Large octagonal table box made of semi-precious tiger's eye stone with a hinged case in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver. Dimensions: 16 x 20 x 6.5 cm. Silver weight: 1095 g. The...

Rectangular table box made of semi-precious tiger's eye stone, with a hinged frame in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver. Dimensions: 10.5 x 14.5 x 4 cm. Silver weight: 140 g. Desi...

Antique walnut wooden boxes suitable for containing chess. You can choose among these four: (3 photos for each box) . -the first : SOLD. -the second has a silver S.Christopher - O/7...

This original 19th-century wooden box features sturdy iron handles on each side and is painted in a beautiful, aged gray. The box could be used for storage or as a decorative eleme...

Acrylic box by Gabrielle Crespi, 1970s The box features a rectangular design with rounded corners, combining the transparency of acrylic with a patinated bronze band that surrounds i...

A shaped pillbox made of 925/1000 sterling silver, gold-plated, featuring translucent fired enamels on a guilloche pattern and a hand-painted floral miniature by the painter Romano B...

We are delighted to offer this stunning circa 1900 French or Italian Sterling silver Diamond & Enamel powder compact with lipstick A very good...

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...

Vintage Middle Eastern Moorish wooden jewelry box inlaid with marquetry. Middle Eastern box handcrafted in very fine Moorish micro mosaic diamonds, ...

This exquisite flame mahogany veneered casket, originating from Central Europe mid 19th century, is a stunning example of Neoclassical applied arts. Its original shape and high quali...

Add authentic French elegance to a dressing room, study, or entry with this antique leather hat box complete with its original top hat. Crafted in Rouen, France, circa 1870, the oval...

Crafted in France, circa 1870, the antique brass coffer is mounted on a wooden frame, and stands on caster wheels. The slant top opens up with stopping chain revealing inside storage...

A beautifully evocative early 19th-century Anglo-Indian brass box, crafted in India around 1820 for the English export market. Formed in the shape of ...

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 ...

Large Japanese Maki-E Lacquer Box With Creepy Woodsorrel Mon or Kamon. Circa 1920s, black exterior ground various mixed color mon of the Tokugawa Shogunate, silvered metal rim on the...