Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe mid-century modern American furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
Postwar American architects and designers were animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist “International Style” architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the ’30s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale, in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for, respectively, pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair. George Nelson and his design team created Bubble lamp shades using a new translucent polymer skin. Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were re-purposed: the Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs that used surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century designers caught the spirit.
Classically-oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb — who designed holistic groups of sleek, blonde-wood furniture — and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern American furniture on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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Style: Mid-Century Modern
1960s Silver Plated Faux Bamboo Box Maison Baguès
Located in Antwerp, BE
Silver plated faux bamboo box by Maison Baguès.
A stylish French little jewelry box, trinket box or storage box
in metal faux bamboo with red velvet inside. Embossed bamboo sticks...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
Italian Blue and White Alabaster Marble Round Jewelry or Trinket Box
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful small Italian blue, white and black alabaster marble round jewelry or trinket box, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Alabaster marble is a combination of blue hues with touc...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Alabaster, Marble, Metal
1950s Lime Green Murano Glass Hinged Box with Facetted Lid and Silvered Edging
Located in London, GB
A 1950s lime green Murano glass hinged box with facetted lid and gilt metal edge detail and hinge by Giovanni Cendese, Murano, Italy.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Metal
Midcentury Lucite and Brass Christian Dior Jewelry Box, French 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and tiny Christian Dior style jewellery case, it is made of Lucite, Tortoise plexiglass and brass.
It was produced in France during 1970s and in its simplicity and elega...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Brass
Murano Orange Gold Fleck Bubbles Pear Top Italian Art Glass Container Vanity Jar
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown orange over white, controlled bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass candy container or vanity jewelry box, with pear top decoration. The piece...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Gold Leaf
Ottaviani Silver and Enamel Rosewood Box, Italy. 1960s
By Ottaviani
Located in Milan, IT
ottaviani silver and enamel rosewood box, Italy, 1960s.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Silver, Enamel
Italian Leather Box
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful vintage Italian all leather jewelry box in a rich dark brown, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Dimensions: 3.5" deep x 5" width
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Leather
Django Cabinet by Frederik Smits
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Unique cabinet by the artist Frederik Smits, Django 2020
Handmade and unique piece, signed and certificated by the artits.
Inspired in memphis mouvement
Its composed of diferent t...
Category
2010s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Brass
1950s Pietro Chiesa by Fontana Arte Italian Design Crystal Box
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, IT
Box
Pietro Chiesa by Fontana Arte
Italy, 1940-1950
Wood and aquamarine crystal
Crystal in perfect condition.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Crystal
Midcentury Owl Form Trinket Box by Debora Bump
By Deborah Bump
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Bump is a Vermont-based wood sculptor best known for her stylized modernist wood jewelry boxes of various animal forms crafted in the 1970s and 1980s.
This large owl box bump used b...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Mahogany, Maple
20th Century Gabriella Crespi Decorative Box in Brass and Plexiglass '70s
Located in Turin, Turin
Decorative box designed in '70 by Gabriella Crespi. The box is in plexiglass and brass, on the brass is present the signature of the author.
Good condition, patina of time. Perfect ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Brass
Antique French Dore Bronze Mounted Peach Opaline Sea-Shell Form Covered Box
Located in New York, NY
A Spectacular Antique French dore bronze mounted peach opaline sea-shell form covered box. The crystal is French and very high quality with a rich peach opalescent color which is ver...
Category
1910s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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Green Ceramic Trinket Box with Fish Motif Lid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Green ceramic trinket box with fish motif lid - a perfect spot for small jewels, mens clips and change. A great gift for dad or the office. and perfect for the dressing table or vanity.
Category
20th Century African Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Enamel Ceramic Jewel Box Gold Yellow Mithe Espelt Midcentury, France, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Enamel ceramic jewel box gold yellow midcentury, France, 1960s.
An exquisite ceramic enameled box with jewel encrusted sections and gold enamel. The base of the box is wood. A bea...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Enamel
Blue Alabaster Box with Sliding Attached Round Lid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful shimmery round alabaster box with sliding lid. Unique custom blue colored box is perfect for your mementos, coins, jewelry or 420. Slide the lid shut for an elegant complim...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Alabaster
1950s Lilac Murano Glass Hinged Box with Facetted Lid and Silver Metal Edge
Located in London, GB
A 1950s lilac Murano glass hinged box with facetted lid and silver metal edge detail and hinge by Giovanni Cendese, Murano, Italy.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Metal
20th Century Gabriella Crespi Decorative Box in Brass and Plexiglass '70s
Located in Turin, Turin
Decorative box designed in '70 by Gabriella Crespi. The box is in plexiglass and brass, on the brass is present the signature of the author.
Good condition, patina of time. Perfect ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Brass
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Rare Light Blue Beveled Mirrored Glass Box, 1930s
Located in New York, NY
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte rare light blue colored beveled mirrored glass box with cedar wood interior, Italy, circa 1938. Simple form but elegant and rare Chiesa box that is com...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Crystal
Mid Century Dresser Top Jewelry Chest / Box
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A four drawer jewelry chest / box with upper and lower storage having an area between the two for laying out your pieces to try on. The medium dark walnut with fine graining and the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Walnut
20th Century Fontana Arte Object Box in Wood and Ground Painted Glass '50s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Turin, Turin
Very beautiful box designed in '50s and produced by Fontana Arte. The box is in wood and has a very peculiar top cover in ground painted glass. Perfect for keeping jewelry or other o...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Glass, Wood
Large Parchment and Shagreen Box
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Elegant box cover with goatskin with shagreen and brass detail.
Parchment is in varying shades of natural finish. (High gloss polyester resin filled finish).
Please note: Small imp...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Brass
Richard Rothbard Sculptural Cocobolo Jewelry Box
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Richard Rothbard jewelry box in the rare wood, cocobolo, which is highly coveted and expensive in today's market. Early example when artist's studio was in Sugar Loaf, NY (later work...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Felt, Cocobolo
Tiffany & Co. Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern sterling silver jewelry box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover flat, hinged and overhanging. Cover top engraved with scatte...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Precious Diamond Point Silver Plated Metal Box, Unique C. 1970s, France
Located in Brussels, BE
Very beautiful one of a kind silver plated metal box with fine diamond point patterns.
Handcrafted and high quality metal work. The box is very heavy.
Made on a special request, circ...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Metal, Silver Plate
Mithé Espelt Ceramic Gold Enamel Mirror and Box, France, 1960s
By Mithé Espelt
Located in New York, NY
Espelt ceramic gold enamel mirror and box, France, 1960s
Beautiful mirror and box. Perfect for a vanity or to store small trinkets.
Last photo shown of two boxes which is sold sepa...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Enamel
Large Square Natural Malachite Jewelry or Vanity Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Malachite Jewelry or Vanity Box. Malachite is a green copper carbonate mineral. It is part of the monolithic crystal system and has a silky luster. The malachite for this box w...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Machiche
Etched Glass Lidded Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Lidded Box in the style of Dorothy Thorpe. Divided bottom, chrome hinge. 1 small chip to underside of lid's lip.
Category
1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Glass
Wooden Casket
Located in Chorzów, PL
Wooden casket.
Dimensions: height 11 cm / width 27 cm / depth 14 cm.
Category
1960s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Lucite, Tortoise Plexiglass and Brass Christian Dior Jewelry Box 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and tiny Christian Dior style jewellery case, it is made of Lucite, Tortoise plexiglass and brass.
It was produced in France during 1970s and in its simplicity and eleg...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Parquetry Decorative Jewelry Box with Side Drawer and Mirror
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Mid-Century Modern era parquetry wooden jewelry box was made in the United States in approximately 1955 in a cubist style. The box is done in a series of woods with various stai...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Wood
Group of Italian Boxes Lapis Lazuli and Tiger's Eye
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An elegant group of Italian boxes ca' 1970's. Brass, lapis lazuli and tiger's eye.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Brass
Cenedese Mid-Century Blue Pair of Italian Murano Glass Apothecary Lidded Jars
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Cenedese vintage midcentury pair of new old stock Murano solid light blue colored / coloured glass round Apothecary jars or storage containers with lids made circa 1970 with original...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Mid-Century Japanese Jewelry Box
By Drexel
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A dark walnut toned three drawer jewelry box with brass pulls the top drawer having six divided compartments the second has four compartments and the bottom is just a large one . All...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Wood
Solid Figural Hippo Puzzle / Paperweight in Pine / Cedar by Deborah D Bump
By Deborah Bump
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible craftsmanship on this solid staved pine and cedar hippo puzzle / paperweight designed and hand crafted by artist Deborah Bump, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vinta...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Pine, Cedar
Ornate Pewter Box with Mixed Stones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pewter box has an ornate pattern of what appears to be twisting vines and leaves, among assorted semi precious bezel set stones. The stones vary in color from black and white to...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Stone, Pewter
20th Century Gabriella Crespi Decorative Box in Brass and Plexiglass, '70s
Located in Turin, Turin
Decorative Oval box designed in '70 by Gabriella Crespi. The box is in plexiglass and brass, on the brass is present the signature of the author.
Good condition, patina of time. Per...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Brass
Jewelry box by Fornasetti, mid-1900s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Jewelry box with decor of jewels, by Fornasetti, mid-1900s. Label: Fornasetti Milan. Made in Italy.
Lacquered metal. Original brass key.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Small Fornasetti Porcelain Jewelry Box With Roman Diety Janus in Profile
By Fornasetti
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small porcelain box by Fornasetti with a Janus reference text inside the lid, see detailed image.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Box by Maitland Smith
Located in Plymouth, MA
Elegant Mid-Century Modern box by Maitland-Smith is made of white tessellated stone with brass inlay around the edges. The stylishly designed box sits on top of four legs offering co...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Stone, Brass
Large Round Emerald Green Alabaster Trinket Box with Hinged Lid, Italy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A lovely hand carved round Italian alabaster trinket box in deep emerald green on the inside, and very light green on the exterior. Larger in size than many we have come across, this...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Alabaster, Metal
Lucite and Silver Squared Italian Decorative Box, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing Lucite and silver squared decorative box. This item was designed in the 1970s.
This piece is made of a crystal Lucite and silver with a crystal Lucite removable top, the way...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Silver
Green Italian Alabaster Box with Brass Claw Feet and Velveteen Lining
By Volterra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian green alabaster box with gorgeously patinated brass feet. The inside has a dark blue velveteen lining making it excellent for jewelry. A complement to any vanity or table, th...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Abstract Box by Don Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Designed by Don Shoemaker and handcrafted by SEÑAL, S.A. Mexico, circa 1960s. Using exotic local wood in Mexico such as Granadillo, excellent vintage condition.
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Cocobolo
Square Silver Plate Box with Brass Beads After William Spratling
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful 'Harlequin' check pattern silver plate box with brass bead details is a stunning addition to the desk, vanity or any shelf in your home. Great for jewelry, mementos, paper ...
Category
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
20th Century Gabriella Crespi Jewelry Box in Brass and Plexiglass '70s
Located in Turin, Turin
Decorative box designed in '70 by Gabriella Crespi. The box is in plexiglass and brass, on the brass is present the signature of the author.
Good condition, patina of time. Perfect ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Brass
Brass Charles Hollis Jones Jewelry or Scarf Holder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Brass Jewelry or Scarf holder. The Base is acrylic and brass with ladder style holder that works for many items, from assorted jewelry, earrings, necklaces, scarves and ties. Remin...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Brass
Bitossi Rimini Turquoise Box
By Bitossi
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A beautiful Bitossi box-Rimini in turquoise color like the ocean with rich wavy texture.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Handmade Nautical Mother of Pearl & Seashell Decorative Box
Located in Miami, FL
Tiffany Style handcrafted Mid-Century Modern nautical décor mother of pearl shell box or keepsake.
The big Seashell is the handle to open it.
Beautiful box for Your favorite Jewel...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Wood, Shell, Mother-of-Pearl
French Alabaster Lidded Trinket or Jewelry Box
Located in Arles, FR
Beautiful hand painted alabaster decorative trinket, or jewelry box.
The decoration consists of two lovely birds - colors include blue, yellow, green, and different shades of bro...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Alabaster
Frances and Michael Higgins American Modernist Glass and Wood Decorative Box
Located in Pasadena, CA
Walnut wood box with glass lid created by Frances and Michael HIggins of Riverside, Illinois. Box measures 1.5" high by 7.5" long by 4.25' wide and is signed with the Dearborn signat...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Glass, Wood
Dresser Top Jewel Box in the Manner of Paul McCobb
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Nice dresser top jewel box in the manner of Paul McCobb. Nicely made with dovetailed draws and simple silver pulls.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Walnut
Paul McCobb Jewelry Box
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid-Century Modern jewelry box, designed by Paul McCobb for his Planner Group, American, circa 1950s. It has been completely restored in a deep brown color finish and the brass pulls...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Metal
Italian Vintage Travertine Trinket Box, circa 1970
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A decorative trinket or jewelry box handmade from travertine marble with the original sticker from Napoli, Italy.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Travertine
Petite Jewelry Chest in Bronze and Burl, Style of Milo Baughman
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A petite architectural jewelry chest in olive burl over a bronze base. Featuring a three drawers. Can be used atop of a dresser or free standing.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Burl
Midcentury Brown Leather Italy MarCo Tadini Vanitycase Snake Effect
By Marco Tadini
Located in Valladolid, ES
Beautiful and timeless Italian brown leather vanitycase or jewelry box by Marco Tahini, label inside.
Box-shaped vanitycase in leather worked in snake effect. Inside there are sever...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Brass
Thin Edge Jewelry Chest by George Nelson 1954, Original, Rosewood & Teak, Signed
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare early George Nelson for Herman Miller nine drawer jewelry / miniature cabinet in rosewood and teak with porcelain pulls. Completely original, never refinished very good conditio...
Category
1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Porcelain, Rosewood, Teak
R & Y Augousti Shagreen Covered Jewelry Cabinet
Located in Hollywood, FL
Jewelry cabinet of oval form with two doors revealing four drawers, marked R and Y Augousti on bottom.
Category
1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Shagreen
Silver Plate Jewelry Box with Three Compartments
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Silver box with three unlined compartments and hinged lid. Felt pads on the bottom to protect surfaces. Recently polished. Opens and closes smoothly. A complement to any vanity or dr...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
