Inlay Decorative Boxes

Meiji Japanese Yosegi Marquetry Kodansu Jewelry Cabinet, circa 1900 A finely constructed Japanese Meiji-period yosegi-zaiku kodansu, or miniature personal cabinet, dating to circa 1...

This early twentieth century French Art Deco period walnut marquetry box features a central cartouche of inlaid mother of pearl on the top and around the key entry . Intricate geomet...

An Exceptional Italian Grand Tour Pietra Dura and Alabaster Hexagonal Box, Circa 1900. This exquisite hexagonal lidded box is a premier example of turn-of-the-century Italian stone ...

Mughal style pietra dura marble box - hand made - featuring an over-all floral and vine design with lapis lazuli, mother-of-pearl and black onyx inlay - signed on the base and the li...

This is a small oval shaped antique metal Pill Box with Inlay to the lid and dating to the Edwardian or late Victorian period. The box is made ...

The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The set of 4 pedestal boxes are the perfect home accents to add elegance and functionality to your space. These can be used as a vanity set for your bathroom, in your office to store desk...

Little wood box decorated with symetrical marquetry representing a flower. Made circa 1960 in Morocco. Good condition, very few signs of use. Shipping: 11 / 15 / 6 cm 0.5 kg

Music play box, around 1960s, made in Switzerland. Wood inlays. Plays " Love story " Music Hight when open: 19cm.

Stunning and great condition, brass Secessionist box with amazing inlay and the original key. There are -for good reasons- collectors of the Vienne...

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...

Elegant Mid-Century Modern decorative tea caddy box crafted in carved wood with refined brass details. The piece features a distinctive sarcophagus-inspired shape, with a rectangular...

In our workshop we apply eggshell lacquer to many things mostly using the inside of the eggshell. The mosaic pattern is achieved with a cracking motion using the ends of pointed tool...

Amazing Marquetry and inlay on this Sorrento Napoli Box C1880. There is craftsmanship of the highest caliber all over this box. Box front drops down to reveal inside completely cover...

An Anglo Indian Rectangular Porcupine Quill & Bone Box, 20th Century Description: Constructed from wood, featuring naturally shed porcupine quills inlaid between decorative band...

Early 19th Century Karl Johan Box with Inlay Ribbon Decorations in Fruitwood, Sweden. Key not included

A rare and exceptional Baroque period Flemish or Dutch red tortoiseshell, bone, horn, ebony, and rosewood lift-top chest with drawer, circa 1725, mounted on a later stand. 17th/18...

Stunning English Regency Sterling Silver & Tortoiseshell Card Case, circa 1815 This exceptional English Regency card case, dating to the early 19th century (circa 1810–1825), exempl...

Middle Eastern Mosaic Wooden Inlaid Marquetry Box Game Backgammon and Chess. Middle Eastern Micro Mosaic Wooden Inlaid Marquetry Box. Large vintage Moorish Syrian style micro mosaic ...

Spanish Moorish Marquetry Walnut Trinket Box, Granada, circa 1940 An exquisite and highly decorative Spanish marquetry footed box, handcrafted in Gr...

For your consideration, a vintage marquetry inlaid wooden jewelry box, often featuring a herringbone or chevron geometric pattern crafted from mixed exotic woods. Various shades of ...

The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...

Moorish Spain Arch Top Intricate detailed wood inlaid Marquetry Jewelry box. An Hispano Moresque Arch Top Wood Inlaid Marquetry Jewelry Box Casket. Moori...

1950s Decorative Brutalist MCM Inlaid Burl Specimen Wood Box by Norman Brumm This small but striking 1950s decorative box by Norman Brumm showcases the artist’s signature Brutalist ...

Vintage Japanese Landscape Music Box with Swiss Reuge Movement, Footed Wooden Jewelry Box, circa 1960s An elegant and highly decorative vintage wooden music box, handcrafted in a refined Japanese style and raised on delicate feet. The hinged lid is beautifully adorned with a finely hand-painted landscape scene depicting a river with a boat, framed by mountains and flowering red trees in the manner of traditional Japanese scenic art. Executed in warm tones of gold, red, green, and soft earth hues, the romantic composition evokes the charm of Meiji-inspired lacquerware and hand-colored Japanese landscapes. The polished wooden body features decorative inlaid detailing along the beveled edges, while the interior is lined in rich red felt, ideal for storing jewelry or treasured keepsakes. Fitted with a Swiss Reuge musical movement, the box begins to play upon opening. Renowned for precision craftsmanship since 1865, Reuge music mechanisms are highly sought after by collectors for their quality and enduring musical performance. A beautiful collectible and decorative accent for a vanity, desk, or tabletop. Dimensions: 4.5" W × 6" D × 2.5" H Materials: Wood, lacquer finish, felt lining, Swiss Reuge mechanism Origin: Japan / Switzerland movement Period: Circa 1960s Condition: Very good vintage condition with light wear consistent with age; music mechanism functions properly. Keywords / Meta Tags: Japanese music box...

Alfred Louis Achille DAGUET (1875 - 1942) was a metalsmith active in Paris during the first part of the 20th century. His metalwork created prior to the outbreak of World War I, note...

19th century Anglo-Indian wooden box fitted with various compartments finely hand carved. The top is finely hand carved with the Taj Mahal. The interior with removable hand carved nine-lidded compartments, the front cover has a mirror, the whole exhibiting very fine workmanship. This fine late Victorian Anglo-Indian box from India is in great condition for it age. A beautiful example of an Anglo-Indian fine art...

One of a kind and all hand-crafted, good size antique box by Alfred Daguet (1875-1942). Alfred Daguet was a French craftsman/metalsmith, active around the early 1900s and who specia...

This is a French bronze metal overlayed round glass hand painted vanity/powder jar. The glass jar is decorated with a pattern of pierced columns of flowers alternated with engraved l...

This decorative box is crafted using traditional straw marquetry, with handwoven straw carefully arranged in a subtle ombré gradient to create depth and tonal variation. The geometri...

A small Sinhalese Porcupine Quill Box with a sliding lid. The panels of porcupine quill panels arranged in a chevron pattern, bordered with ebony and bone inlaid banding. Ceylonese ...

This rare Art Deco straw marquetry lidded box is attributed to French designer Jean Michel Frank. The piece was meticulously crafted in France circa 1930. The rectangular shape is st...

A 19th Century French Napoleon III marquetry box, hand-crafted of walnut and burl veneers and ebonized panels. Fine mother-of-pearl and brass inlay decoration of birds, butterflies a...

A finely crafted Japanese tabletop cabinet from the early 20th century, this compact storage piece is richly detailed with traditional decorative techniques and export-era flourishes...

This incredible item is a delicate decoration in the form of a miniature piano, The piano is constructed with beautiful hand selected walnut decorated ...

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...

Impressive antique Anglo Indian lidded box handcrafted in porcupine quills and ebony decorated with bone dots. The interior has nine bone decorated lidded compartments in a removable...

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...

19th century marquetry dresser box from England. This box is wonderful and the craftsmanship is stunning. The box is made of satinwood, and has marquetry and inlay made from mahogan...

This exquisite set of two boxes by Kifu Paris showcases the luxurious craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail that the brand is renowned for. Handcrafted in white shagreen, ...

An antique English Tunbridge box with geometric inlay, hinged lid, red velvet interior, felted bottom and comes with working key. The box with a diamond form inlaid medallion flanked...

A Stunning Late Grand Tour Collectors Box 19th Century Mahogany & Ebony Pietra Dura Karlsbad, Germany. The Lid Is Decorated with Marble And Agate Geometric Motifs. With Continen...

A beautiful and top condition antique black forest jewelry box, carved on all sides. This rare and large jewelry box makes a beautiful accessory for a lady with an eye for fine arts. It is a very well fine carved gem and highly practical with a good working lock and key. The detailed leafs, branches and flowers on top and the marvelous blue...

English Regency mahogany box with satinwood inlay. The four corners of the top are inlaid with lovely triangular scalloped decoration. All the border molding are also satinwood inlay...

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...

Lapis lazuli hand carved mosaic lidded box, with white marble interior. Natural lapis stone has beautiful golden pyrite inclusions, like a sprinkling of fairy dust. The lapis mosaic...

A fine and elegant Korean black lacquer and abalone mother of pearl inlay "longevity" box, circa 1930s, Korea. The box, most likely used to sto...

Inlaid with floral sprays of engraved mother of pearl and brass From our Sewing Box collection, we are delighted to offer this William IV Rosewood Inlaid Sewing Box. The Sewing Box ...

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Opposing Pair of Boulle Boxes From our Boxes collection, we are delighted to bring to market this pair of opposing French Boulle B...

Stunning mosaic design, this intricate wood box is made from multiple micro pieces of wood with some possible bone inlays. Gorgeous craftsmanship. A true work of art. Would be a g...

A rare French marqueterie de paille (colored straw marquetry) sewing work box. Delicately hand-crafted in Provincial Burgundy, France, late 18th / ...

A 19th Century French Napoleon III marquetry box, hand-crafted of walnut and thuya burl wood veneers with ebonized trim. Fine mother-of-pearl and brass inlay with center medallion on...

Elegant vintage footed wooden music box with top finely hand painted and inlaid with foliages floral decor. Vintage Italian wooden music box with marquetry inlay featuring a lute and flowers. Marquetry is the art of creating decorative designs using different materials, commonly thin pieces of wood. Handcrafted Jewelry music box, made in Italy with lacquered finish, wood Inlay, red felt lined with hinged lid. The music box has a Swiss Reuge music box...

Decorative lidded box by R&Y Augousti Paris France circa 1990s Circular shagreen box with a sunburst lid of bronze framed agate radial elements centered by a domed mosaic of abalon...

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

This is a very good quality English mid 19th C Victorian period box or document box with fine inlaid detail, having a hinged lid with a brass swan neck handle, dating to the mid/ ear...

Maitland Smith 1980s large tessellated stone and brass inlay decorative box. Light pink stone with light pink detailing. Brass banding retains unpolished patina.

1980s decorative pen shell cube box attributed to Maitland Smith. Medium brown pen shell with dark gray tessellated stone accents. Wood lined box. No ma...

Antique 19th century Napoleon III era French Marquetry Boulle box. Red and black tortoiseshell with foliate brass inlay. Decoration on top includes the monogram LS. Rectangular form ...

A Georgian Tunbridge Ware sewing box dating to circa 1840. The rectangular rosewood box is extensively decorated with geometric Tunbridge Ware mosaic inlay across the exterior and st...

A lacquer presentation box with mother-of-pearl inlays from Japanese Ryukyu Islands circa 17-18th century. The lidded box in rectangular form with rounded corner is a classic example...