Inlay Decorative Boxes

A very handsome 19th century dresser box hand constructed in Arbutus wood. (Arbutus wood is an indigenous wood specific to the southwestern region of Ireland). The hinged lid featuri...

Restored Biedermeier Jewelry Box from South Germany around 1820 Cherry veneered on softwood with inlays in ash veneer. Brass fittings, hinges and working lock. Restored and hand-poli...

This is a truly unique antique box, not only does it have a faux book front. Fine inlay detail to the top - showcasing birds but it has a very cool hidden document storage...

Desk box set of dices designed by William Spratling. This is a very decorative desk box with dices created in Taxco Mexico by the silversmith and jewelry designer William Spratling,...

Heading : Tunbridge Ware – Wedge-Shaped Stationery Box with Isometric Cubes and Floral Mosaic c1870 Date : c1870 Period : Victorian Origin : Tunbridge Wells – Thomas Barton Decoratio...

Elegant and finely crafted rosewood and ivory inlay traveller's writing desk from the late Mughal period of British India (circa 1825), on low bun feet. In excellent condition, with ...

Mexican cabinet. Made of tortoiseshell, pen-engraved and wood. Possible Oaxaca or Puebla, 17th century.

This large impressive cabinet featuring a crossbanded walnut and Kingwood and inlaid with satinwood stringing line alternating with Ebony wood inlays. Clean and distilling angelic m...

Beautiful Biedermeier Jewelry or Make-up box from South Germany circa 1830. Inside with hinged mirror. A long drawer at the bottom front. Restored and hand-polished with shellac.

A very fine Italian marquetry box dating to circa 1860 and made in the Sorrento region of Italy where local craftsmen were renowned for making ...

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...

An English burl mahogany and inlay jewelry box from the 1800’s. The top of this square box has an inlaid cartouche of ebony, birdseye maple, and oak with brass banding. The box opens...

This trinket box is handcrafted with shell marquetry and brass trims. The box is hinged and the interior is lined with a high quality black microsuede. A very unique piece you ...

Decorate a coffee table or a shelf with this elegant antique box. Created in France circa 1880, the rectangular cabinet is decorated with an elegant floral inlaid star motif on the t...

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...

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...

The exterior surface decorated with striking geometric panels of contrasting light & dark fruitwood veneers with ebonized mouldings, the slant top opening on later iron hinges to a plain interior housing a small hinged compartment for writing implements...

Antique 19th century French Boulle/Napoleon III marquetry box. The wooden box is decorated with inlaid brass and tortoiseshell and red silk textile inside. Including key. Signed: Aud...

A beautiful 'as is' late 18th or early 19th century example of 'Marqueterie de Paille', or straw marquetry, work box. The top inlaid with a wonderful cityscape, with early architectu...

French wood box decorated with marquetry including a stars and geometrical patterns. Straw marquetry was a common technique in the early 20th century. Straw was dyed different colors...

PRESENTING A LOVELY 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Sadeli Mosaic Inlaid Sewing Box. Made in Bombay, India, circa 1880. The box is made of sandalwood with highly carved raised teak wood panels on all sides, depicting temple scenes, animals and foliage. The box is in a sarcophagus form. It is edged in bone (and we can tell it is bone and not ivory, from the color and evidence of capillaries, which are not found in ivory), and banded with Bombay Sadeli mosaic and ebony veneer. The lid opens to reveal a removable tray with various open compartments and lidded compartments. 5 lidded compartments, 1 unlidded compartment and 8 holders for thimbles, etc The tray lifts to reveal a blue velvet (original) lined section, for storing jewelry etc, with sections for collars etc. The inside of the lid has a removable mirror (the mirror is missing on this one but can easily be replaced). Behind the mirror is the original green velvet lining. It has its original brass carry handles on the sides and sits on 4 silvered button feet (of recent origin). Some repairs to the exterior and condition issues (priced accordingly), but still a LOVELY COLLECTIBLE box! 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! 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...

A small square-form table with lacquer and intricate mother-of-pearl inlay design from Ryukyu Islands kingdom circa 17-18th century. Ryukyuan kingdom was used to be an independent is...

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 ...

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 ...

A finely crafted antique wood marquetry box with hinged lid and green fabric interior. This box has a refined geometric design featuring bot...

Walnut veneered. Footed. Silk-lined. Key is included.

Immerse yourself in the artistry of Montagnani Firenze with this extraordinary box, a rare Italian masterpiece crafted circa 1970. A true testament to Mid-Century modernist design, i...

This exquisite French Napoléon III black lacquer box is a fine 19th-century desk accessory distinguished by its elegant proportions and Boulle-style decorative cartouche. Crafted wit...

This little jewel box is sure to please anyone who purchases or receives it.

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

Unusual Antique Victorian quality rosewood inlaid writing box with two lift up tops opening to reveal a writing surface with original ink bottles an...

Intricate and flawless, the highly detailed micromosaic medallion on the lid of this agate box is an incredible example of this diminutive art form. The elaborate micromosaic depicts...

English Georgian Chinroserie bow front tortoise shell tea caddy with a hinged tiered lid, Chinese landscape mother of pearl inlays with flanking pagodas, fences, & foliage trees, central paktong plaque and escutcheon, bone fitted interior border with two lidded tortoiseshell foil lined compartments, and resting on the original four bone ball...

Water flowing over rocks creates a contrast between the sparkle of the water and the relative opacity of the rocks. In these boxes black lacquer pours over natural shells that glow a...

English Georgian (18/19th Century) mahogany tea caddy box on bracket feet with inlaid satinwood and ebony banding and a hinged stepped up top with a brass handle and escutcheon

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...

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...

An English 19th century decorative box with lift up lid opening on original brass hinges to reveal a good sized storage compartment lined with the original hand-crafted sapphire blue...

A vintage 1970s Maitland Smith crackled lacquer box with a burled walnut inlay and brass fittings. Box is a dark brown and retains its original label. The interior is lined with blac...

Exquisite handcrafted white mother of pearl inlaid and hand carved lidded box. Small octagonal Anglo Indian decorative box intricately decorated with Moorish motif designs which hav...

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

Water flowing over rocks creates a contrast between the sparkle of the water and the relative opacity of the rocks. In these boxes black lacquer pours over natural shells that glow a...

Signed by maker on lock. Paris, France. Bronze/brass mounted.

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

Antique Middle Eastern Inlaid Mosaic Jewelry or Cigarette Box with Mother-of-Pearl, Early 20th Century, Handcrafted Syrian or Egyptian Mosaic Inlaid Box with Bone & Mother-of-Pea...

19th Century Anglo Indian fall front box with six drawers with metal pulls. The exterior and interior inlaid throughout with bone and various woods. Intricate geometric designs cover...

A charming vintage jewelry box, or trinket box, with colorful marquetry inlay, lined with red velvet, including a working key. Presumably Moroccan, second half of the 20th century. ...

1950's Anglo Indian, Indo Persian style micro mosaic inlaid jewelry box with lid. Large vintage intricate inlaid middle Eastern Persian style box with floral and geometric Islamic Mo...

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

With Square Panels of exotic Coconut/Palm wood Form our Jewellery Box collection, we are pleased to offer this small sized Continental Continental Palm Coconut Wood Box. The Coconut...

Unusual antique Victorian quality inlaid coromandel wood writing box having quality inlaid coromandel wood lift up tops opening to reveal a green leather writing surface opening to r...

An elegant fine quality English Regency period tea caddy. Circa 1815 Born in the early 19th century, exquisitely hand-crafted from the finest exotic rosewood, rectangular sarcopha...

Discover the timeless elegance of this large, handcrafted Middle Eastern Lebanese jewelry box, a stunning testament to traditional artistry. Meticul...

An exquisite 19th century luxury sailor's box in sandalwood with dramatically contrasting bone and ebony geometric decoration and string inlay having raised center tier with sliding ...

Exquisite handcrafted Middle Eastern Lebanese mosaic marquetry wood box. Small octagonal walnut Syrian style box intricately decorated with Moorish...

A rare and exquisite set of three French octagonal nesting boxes in straw marquetry on wood, handcrafted circa 1970 in the refined spirit of Jean-Michel Frank. Each lid showcases a u...

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...

Beautiful, petite historicism box from made in Germany, circa 1880. * Oak wood, birch veneer with maple and ebony inlays on the edges. * Large oval inlay with beautiful shell motif a...

A sailor's ditty box for holding a sailor's valuables (mending needles, thread, pipe tobacco, razor, mementos, etc.) having a mirrored and gilt framed interior lid, with pull-out com...

Italian Modern Architectural Brass Inlaid Travertine Box, Circa 1970s Italy, Circa 1970s A sleek and sophisticated Italian modern architectural travertine box with brass inlay, mad...