Edo Jewelry Boxes

EDO STYLE

Edo furniture was created during a flourishing time for the decorative arts owing to the stability of the Tokugawa shogunate rule in Japan. Spanning from 1603 to 1867, this era of peace and economic growth supported artistic advancements in lacquer, woodblock printing, porcelain and other artisanal trades. Because the country was largely isolated, there was little outside influence, leading to centuries of exceptional attention to the design of its furnishings and the quality of its traditional arts.

Unlike during the Meiji period that followed, with an increase in domestic and international markets, furniture during the Edo period was predominately commissioned by the ruling class, although people from across social groups benefited from the burgeoning metropolitan hubs for artisanal trades. For instance, Kyoto became a major center for lacquer art. Most furniture pieces were made from wood such as cedar or ash, including the era’s sashimono cabinets, which involved fine joinery and were rooted in the Heian period.

Sashimono cabinets, which were built by master craftsmen in a range of different wood types owing to the various trees that populate Japan, occasionally featured a stack of slender drawers as well as sliding doors. They were popular with everyone from samurai to kabuki actors. Tansu storage chests crafted from wood with metal fittings were also common in Edo-period homes. Some were designed to be easily portable while others were made to double as staircases.

Painted folding screens, called byōbu, were also fashionable, with Japanese artists inspired by nature, literature and scenes of history and daily life to create vivid works. In Buddhist temples and the palatial homes of the aristocratic class, fusuma, or large sliding panels, would sometimes be adorned with gold or silver leaf. These dividers allowed interiors to change throughout the day, closing in small spaces for personal use or reflecting candlelight to illuminate communal spaces after dark.

Find a collection of Edo tables, lighting, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.

Style: Edo

Unique 17th Century Miniature Japanese Namban Lacquer Miniature Dollhouse Chest

Located in Amsterdam, NL

A unique and exceptional Japanese miniature or dollhouse export lacquered chest Kyoto, circa 1620-1640 The chest of rectangular shape with a domed lid, decorated in Transition-style, in gold hiramaki-e on a black background within reserved lobed cartouches decorated with landscapes animated with birds and rabbits, on a shagreen or samegawa background. The borders are decorated with geometric friezes, the box with gilt-copper mounts, the interior decorated in red lacquer. Measures: H 9.2 x W 14.5 x D 7.2 cm This miniature is of exceptional quality and a perfect copy of the famous large size Transition-style coffers. It was most likely ordered by a Dutch lady for her dollhouse (poppenhuis), like the famous Petronella Oortman (1656-1716) doll-house, which is now one of the highlights in the collection of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, or Petronella Oortmans-de la Court’s (1624-1707) dollhouse in the collection of the Centraal Museum Utrecht. Sara Rothé of Amsterdam in 1743 ordered a miniature black lacquered ivory tripod table with gold chinoiserie decoration by Jurriaan Buttner (Monika Kopplin, European Lacquer, 2010, p. 56). Other Japanned dollhouse...

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17th Century Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

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Shagreen, Cypress

Unique 17th Century Miniature Japanese Namban Lacquer Miniature Dollhouse Chest

$45,449

Fine Japanese Namban Lacquer Jewelry Casket, 17th Century

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Japanese Namban lacquer transition-style coffer with two drawers Kyoto/Nagasaki, circa 1650 The cartouches with gilt and red decorations of leaves...

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17th Century Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Cypress

Fine Japanese Namban Lacquer Jewelry Casket, 17th Century

$19,136

Fine Japanese Export Red Lacquer Box with Masonic Symbols, circa 1800

Located in Amsterdam, NL

A fine Japanese export red lacquer box with Masonic symbols Kyoto/Nagasaki, 1800-1820 Red lacquer decorated with scattered flowers and flying birds with long tails in gold, wit...

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Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Gold

Fine Japanese Export Red Lacquer Box with Masonic Symbols, circa 1800

$14,950

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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Japanese Maki-e Lacquer Stacking Box, Jubako, Meiji Period, Japan

$4,800

H 24 in W 14 in D 14 in

Japanese Negoro Style Lacquered Worship Stand, 17th-18th Century

Located in Fukuoka, JP

"Discover a piece of Japanese religious heritage with this exceptional Negoro lacquered stand. Crafted in the 17th to 18th century, this worship article stand is a prime example of e...

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Late 17th Century Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Negoro Style Lacquered Worship Stand, 17th-18th Century

$1,780

H 6.11 in W 10.63 in D 20.08 in

Small Japanese Lacquer Duck Incense Box, Kogo, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century

Located in Austin, TX

An exquisite Japanese Meiji Period small lacquer incense box, kogo, in the form of a duck or goose, late 19th century, Japan. The delicate lacquer box, known as a kogo in Japanese, ...

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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Small Japanese Lacquer Duck Incense Box, Kogo, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century

$2,900

H 1.5 in W 2.88 in D 1 in

Japanese Momoyama Period Black Lacquer and Mother of Pearl Box, 16th Century

Located in Austin, TX

A fine and unusual Japanese black lacquer and mother of pearl inlaid box, Momoyama Period, 16th century, Japan. The large box and cover featu...

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16th Century Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Lacquer, Abalone

Japanese Momoyama Period Black Lacquer and Mother of Pearl Box, 16th Century

$9,800

H 4 in W 11 in D 15 in

Japanese Rinpa Style Lacquer Box Meiji Period

Located in Atlanta, GA

A black lacquer tebako (hand box) with maki-e decoration and silver trim, circa late 19th century, Meiji period. The surface of the lid features a Rinpa style maki-e paint depicting ...

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1890s Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Rinpa Style Lacquer Box Meiji Period

$2,200

H 2 in W 4.5 in D 5.5 in

Japanese Marquetry and Lacquer Jewelry Chest, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan

Located in Austin, TX

A very attractive Japanese wood table top jewelry or collector's chest with marquetry and lacquer decoration, Meiji period, circa 1900, Japan. Previously in the collection of Asbjorn Lunde (1927 - 2017). The chest is crafted in the form of a Chinese seal...

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Early 1900s Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Wood, Softwood, Lacquer

Japanese Marquetry and Lacquer Jewelry Chest, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan

$3,400

H 15.75 in W 14.25 in D 7 in

Japanese Lacquer Hokai Box, 19th Century

Located in Pasadena, CA

This is a good example of a traditional Japanese Hokai shell storage box for the Kai-awase game. This box is well-detailed in chased brass appliques and makie. The box is in overall ...

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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Lacquer Hokai Box, 19th Century

$1,175 Sale Price

24% Off

H 16 in Dm 15 in

Japanese 19th Century Miniature Lacquer Chest with Waterfall

Located in Hudson, NY

Japanese 19th century miniature lacquer chest with waterfall. Late Edo to early Meiji period lacquer chest (mid to late 19th century) with two characters on the front reading Nuno an...

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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Gold, Silver, Bronze

Japanese 19th Century Miniature Lacquer Chest with Waterfall

$38,000

H 15 in W 14.5 in D 9.25 in

Japanese Meiji Period Antique Lacquer Box with Gold Maki-e Decoration

Located in New York, NY

A fine antique Japanese Meji Period lacquer box decorated with a fan and a stylized star shaped window in the maki-e technique. The fan at the top right corner, fully opened depictin...

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19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Japanese Meiji Period Antique Lacquer Box with Gold Maki-e Decoration

$1,700

H 4.5 in W 3.25 in D 1.88 in

Fine Miniature Japanese Kodansu with Lacquer Inlays

Located in Atlanta, GA

A fine Japanese miniature kodansu constructed from Kaki wood (Persimmon) circa 19th century, late Meiji period. With its expressive exotic wood grains and exposed tenon construction,...

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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Wood

Fine Miniature Japanese Kodansu with Lacquer Inlays

$4,500

H 3.25 in W 3.125 in D 4.75 in

Japanese Lacquered Tebako 'Box'

Located in PARIS, FR

Tebako box with three compartments in golden and nashi-ji lacquer, decorated with golden, red, and kirigane lacquer, golden persimmon tree leaves, among rocks. The compartments are of increasing size from the top. The decoration is in continuity. Persimmon has been cultivated in southern China for more than 2500 years and is believed to have been introduced to Japan in the 8th century. The veneer is a tree with very hard wood, similar to ebony. According to a legend, one specimen survived the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, close to the epicenter. It is therefore in Japan a symbol of strength and longevity. It is also the national fruit of the country. It is eaten as a traditional dish during New Year's Day celebrations. Tebako literally means "portable box...

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1860s Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Japanese Lacquered Tebako 'Box'

$8,372

H 6.11 in W 5.16 in D 5.99 in

Fine Japanese Lacquered Inro with Inlays by Kajikawa

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Japanese four-case lacquer inro by a member of Kajikawa family circa 19th century (late Edo to early Meiji period). It depicts a nocturnal scenery of a meandering stream surrounded by bush clovers, where a full moon is reflected on the water. It was masterfully decorated in gold and silver maki-e using a combination of techniques including takamakie, togidashi and kirigane as well as aogai (abalone shell) inlays. The stream was set between the slightly elevated banks, adding to this piece a already strong three-dimensional composition. The interior was decorated in gold nashiji. It was signed on the bottom "Kajikawa Zou" (made by Kajikawa and a pot seal centered with "Ei" in Kanji. In one of the compartment, there is a katakana mark, appears to be a name, possibly the owner. Kajikawa clan was one of the most famous lacquer artisanal family established in the 17th century. Many well known members over the generations produced lacquer art in a wide range of formats, but two third were signed only with the family name such as this one. It is therefore not possible to pinpoint the exact author of this piece. Provenance: This inro was purchased as lot 349 in Christie's New York sale Japanese...

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19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Shell, Wood, Lacquer

Fine Japanese Lacquered Inro with Inlays by Kajikawa

$5,600

H 3.5 in W 2.25 in D 1 in

Previously Available Items

Miniature Hasamibako Travelling Chest Edo Period Late 18th Early 19th Century

Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

A late 18th or early 19th-century Edo period hasamibako [travelling chest] of diminutive small proportions. The rectangular box and flush fitting cover, decorated in gold hiramak...

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Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Miniature Hasamibako Travelling Chest Edo Period Late 18th Early 19th Century

H 4.73 in W 5.91 in D 4.73 in

Miniature 17th Century Japanese Lacquer Jewelry Cabinet with Gilt-Bronze Mounts

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Possibly unique small cabinet Japan, Edo period, 17th century Black lacquered wood (Urushi), decorated with gold lacquer (Maki-e) and gilt copper mounts. Measures: Height 18.5 ...

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17th Century Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Miniature 17th Century Japanese Lacquer Jewelry Cabinet with Gilt-Bronze Mounts

H 7.29 in W 6.66 in D 6.66 in

Japanese Edo Period Black and Gold Lacquer Vanity Box, circa 1800

Located in Austin, TX

A stunning Japanese black lacquer and maki-e decorated vanity box with mirror Stand, kyodai, Edo Period, 18th/19th century. The vanity comprised...

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Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Silver, Bronze

Japanese Edo Period Black and Gold Lacquer Vanity Box, circa 1800

H 25.5 in W 10.75 in D 10.75 in

Edo jewelry boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Edo jewelry boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage jewelry boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with cypress, softwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Edo jewelry boxes made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and Japan pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for jewelry boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $13,477 and tops out at $42,057 while the average work can sell for $17,342.