Hardwood Boxes

We have for sale a spalted beech box by master woodturner Ray Key (1942-2018). Ray Key was one of the most praised woodturners of any generation. His works are in museum collections ...

A refined antique French tea caddy from the end of Napoleon III. The box is beautifully inlaid with different types of wood and brass, outside around ...

Chinese Huanghuali wood box decorated with bronze mountings and motifs of bats, fish and moths. The top features a classic Chinese medallion mounted to the centre of the lid. In un...

A fine Coromandel wood miniature cupboard Sri Lanka, 18th century Measures: H 89.5 x W 60.5 x D 28.8 cm This entire four-door miniature cupboa...

Mid-20th Century wooden box straight from the Art Déco period and made originally in Europe, in France. The technique used is marquetry with polychrome inlays of different woods like...

Early Fad Cylinder music box made in Geneva by Nicole Freres. This is a good example of those early music boxes. The mechanisme has a fad cylinder and plays 8 tunes in a 2 per turn...

This is a nice example of artist, Elizabeth Bensley's enamel work from the late 1940s contrasting a primitive, crudely assembled box with refined, expert enamel decoration. Note that...

We are delighted to offer this lovely Walnut & Satinwood Faux books pipe rack with internal drawers A very good looking and decorative piece, its designed to hold three pipes in t...

A French gilt-bronze mounted, fruit wood and ivory marquetry metal cloisonné jewellery box by Maison Alphonse Giroux and Ferdinand Duvinage, Paris, ...

Pocket snuff flask carved from coquille nut. Amazing small pocket snuff bottle, carved from a large coquille nut. This antique piece was created in the shape of a spinning top with two secret compartments which can be unscrewed to open. Made in the continental Europe and most probably French or Portuguese provenance from the 18th century, circa 1780. Extensively decorated with organic and floral motifs with a beautiful image of a nut on the upper part. Curiously due to the shape of this piece, it could be played as a spinning tool on a table. This adds a particular interest for the multiple use with which the carving was conceived. Weight: 42.60 Grams. Measurements: Diameter of 40 mm and a height of 89 mm (1.57 x 3.5 Inches). Hallmarks: No marks, gorgeous deep antique patina. Coquille Nut The coquille nut emanates from swampy areas on the eastern side of South America, from a palm known as the “attalea funiefera”. Brazilians call it “Piassabe”. The nuts were introduced into Western Europe in the mid-16th century, and used for small carved objects until the end of the 19th century. Coquille nut is a fruit of a Brazilian palm...

We have for sale a Sun Hat box by master woodturner Ray Key (1942-2018). Ray Key was one of the most praised woodturners of any generation. His works are in mu...

A fine and rare large parquetry inlaid 17th-century William and Mary period olive oyster lace box. 1680-1700, England The cross-grain moulded top is ent...

Secret Pen Box “There’s something deep inside my psyche that is fascinated with secret compartments. Perhaps it has to do with my childhood on the farm. It was a time of constant discovery. Being free to roam over hundreds of acres of rugged bushland, I was forever discovering the secret places where the small birds, animals and insects of the bush hid from prying eyes. Discovering them took many hours and sometimes days of patience and skill. Just like discovering where we have placed secret compartments within our pieces. This box has been made with great skill and passion. And it is very difficult to discover it’s secrets. I know this unique treasure will become a well-loved family heirloom. Please enjoy it, and all the joy and intrigue it will bring you”…David Boucher This intriguing box of drawers provides storage for up to thirty-one pens and features five very secret opening mechanisms. It was created in its entirety in our workrooms in Toowoomba, Australia. The attention to detail is meticulous. There’s a concealed top tray along with four ‘hidden’ drawers that have no obvious way of opening. Each item of material was painstakingly selected. Macassar Ebony, North Queensland Figured Butt Maple (It’s amazing story can be read below) red Shagreen and Italian leather. The very intricate drawer-opening mechanisms and the nickel-plated brass feet have been custom made for this piece. Drawer sides are made from quarter-sawn solid Queensland Silver Ash and feature very fine, hand-cut dovetails. Each drawer is precision fitted with fine red Italian leather. There are even protective leather pads with intricately folded edges under each foot. The box is beautifully hand finished with a durable satin lacquer. Signed and engraved with the registered number. PLEASE NOTE : Maximum pen diameter capacity • Top opening compartment -Maximum Pen diameter - 23mm • 3 drawers – Maximum Pen diameter - 25mm A video explaining how to access each of the secret opening systems will be supplied to the purchaser. (The story of this North Queensland figured Butt Maple that has been used inside the lid of the Secret Pen Box. “The figure and colour of this amazing piece timber is the result of a rare trick of nature. Some 200 years ago, a large North Queensland Maple tree fell victim to the destructive force of a Pacific Ocean cyclone. Few trees survived the storm, but this tree was different. It was destined for much bigger things. The tree was crushed, bent and twisted by the massive cyclonic winds, but when all fell calm, it was still standing. Over the next 100 years, the bent and heavily leaning tree grew to become a massive giant. The timber grain inside became wrinkled from the compression and slowly developed into a treasure box of colour and figure. When the tree finally died, it was recovered and taken to an old country sawmill in the high country inland from Cairns in North Queensland in 1901. At the mill it was in the process of being sawn into house framing when the incredible figure of the wood's grain was exposed. The alert mill owner stopped the saw, seeing a far bigger purpose for the amazing timber in the log. His decision to have the timber cut into veneers was to have far reaching implications. The log was taken by bullock wagon to Cairns, …an amazing journey in those days. The wagon was precariously winched down the treacherous tracks over the side of the Great Dividing Range. This was done in short stages with a series of large pulley blocks and ropes tied to trees along the hillside, using the bullock team to counterbalance the weight of the wagon and its load. From there it was hauled to Cairns harbour and floated out to be winched aboard a waiting sailing ship for the long trip to Sydney, some three thousand kilometres away. There an old German veneer maker had a small veneer factory where the log was cut into the spectacular veneers you see here today. The old man was so amazed with the pattern, that he took them home and secreted them away in his wine cellar, there to be kept in storage waiting for a "special purpose", worthy of their extreme rarity. Upon his death, the veneers were passed into the safe keeping of his daughter and her husband, and subsequently, after a four year negotiation, were obtained by David Boucher on the promise that his amazing designs would properly fulfil the "special purpose" that her father had wished for them. This is the same timber that was used to make a beautiful Writing Compendium...

A charming satin and rosewood, ebony and teak collectors’ table-cabinet Sri Lanka, second half of the 18th century Measures: H. 86.5 x W. 62.5 x D. 34.7 cm In the top of the shaped cornice, there is a carving of a butterfly or moth. Under the cornice two panelled doors with scorched chequered motif, and under the doors one long drawer. When the doors are locked, so is the drawer. Behind the two doors, there are eight drawers, suitable to store small collectors’ items, such as a coin collection, or mineral specimens, small shells, collections of animal teeth, etc. The 17th and 18th centuries saw a wide-spread interest in exotic cultures and collecting of botanical, zoological and geological specimens...

- Wonderful antique Portugese knife or cutlery box - Hand crafted from coromandel and we date to circa 1880 - Come view in our Canonbury Antiques Hertfordshire...

An early footed box by Just Andersen. Made at his own workshop Just in Denmark during the 1920s. The exterior is made entirely from lightly hammered pewter. The interior is linned wi...

A beautifully made fully functional miniature chest of drawers. This three-drawer chest of mahogany with inlaid panels of satinwood and pencil inlay. Only 11 inches tall, this chest ...

Macassar Ebony Keepsake Box “Beautiful boxes are a passion of mine. The idea of having something truly beautiful to place special memories into has always had a strong emotional appe...

Elegant, exotic, and unmistakably refined, shagreen has long captivated those with a discerning eye for luxury. A study in subtle opulence, this artisan-crafted decorative box is wra...

19th century burr elm teapoy circa 1840. Very good quality example of a Scandinavian teapoy with a strong influence from the english regency period. Sarcophagus shaped main body wh...

A wonderful 18th century George III quill work (scrollwork) tea caddy of hexagon form. English circa 1790 Finely executed, this very attractive caddy ...

Fine example of a George II brass metal mounted padouk tea caddy with finely etched and wrought hardware and vivid grain, color and patina. ...

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...

Wonderful Italian Mid-Century Modern wooden box with Sterling silver lid. The sterling silver lid 925 is masterfully decorated with an abstract view of the shore – you see the wave...

Fine George III period satinwood octagonal box with inlays in exotic woods; the box does not have a fitted interior.

20th Century Art Deco Jewelery Box. Delicate rhombus decoration typical of the Italian Art Deco period.

Modernist long solid teak storage box, circa 1970s. This beautiful well crafted desk top box is great for storing small items. The box is in very good vintage condition and measures...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this rather lovely antique original circa 1880-1900 French made Pagoda top Chinese shop cigar box A very go...

19th century birdseye maple box with brass nail head decoration and iron lock plate and hasp. This box is hand crafted with beautiful dovetail joints visible on the corners, evidence...

Folk Art Marquetry Box or Chest with Inlaid Star, French 19th Century Beautiful decorative wooden box or small chest. Folk Art from the 1890s, it features an inlaid star motif on t...

A harewood marquetry tea caddy with Royal Provenance, of oval form with a hinged lid opening to reveal two zinc lined compartments, decorated in fruitwood and boxwood marquetry with ...

A fine novelty fruitwood tea caddy in the form of an apple. lathe turned and with a soft honey patina, restoration to the lid at the hinge. England...

A Victorian calamander toilet box with ten silver mounted jars, by William Neal, London, dated 1874. The box with fall front, two drawers and secret drawer,...

The Brew Box is made from walnut and ashwood, treated with a natural mix of linseed oil and wax that brings out the depth and warmth of the wood. It’s built with a unique joinery des...

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely and very rare Regency circa 1810 Rosewood with brass inlay Vanity box with sterling silver jars and contents in need of restoration. A very collectable and rare piece, the case is in need of restoration, the contents are perfect. The case has an old repair to one hinge, the whole piece needs washing back and french polishing, its been sitting in my warehouse for years waiting to be done so I have decided to just move it on to let someone else take up the mantle, restored this is a £2500-£3000 suite The contents are all crystal with sterling silver...

Exquisite vintage tissue box made of solid sheesham wood with exotic brass inlays. handcrafted by Indian artisans, the box has a stylized hand carve...

Available today, this mid-century modern ice bucket that was made in the sixties is one of a kind! This beautiful wooden ice bucket is made with imbuia hardwood and Brazilian rosewoo...

Very fine 18th century Indian Macassar Ebony traveling writing box with Tutenag metal hardware, the vividly grained case with rare alloy trim, the rectangular form opening to make a ...

Exceptional big Italian Pharmacy pot with cover from Tuscany,Italy, elegant object with few decorations, good old patina and warm finish of the wood, ...

Antique 1940s Mosaic Shell Inlaid Decorative Middle Eastern Islamic Box. Mosaic Luxury Decorative Middle Eastern Islamic Vanity Box. Middle Eastern Asian Mosaic Wood Box with Inlays ...

Beautiful set of teak canisters. This vintage set is aesthetically pleasing visually and current, as it is full of purpose. The practicality of the nes...

A Maitland Smith mid century box made of bone with a pearwood interior. American, circa 1970s.

Elegant large footed wooden music box with top finely hand painted and inlaid with foliages floral decor.A Sorrento Italy Romance Inlayed Wood Music Box Handcrafted in Italy, upon opening, the music box begins to play a theme. Elegant large footed wooden music box with top finely hand painted with foliages. The box is made in Italy stamped in the bottom. The musical movement...

Double height carved Indian box An unusual piece with 2 levels, the top of the box in the octagonal shape has an opening lid. The lower is recta...

A carved boxwood prisoner of war battleship snuff box. This small snuff box is carved in the form of a 112-gun ship of the line with a removable quarte...

This is a small vintage keepsake box. An Indian, teak storage case with carved finish, dating to the late Art Deco period, circa 1940. Petite a...

This beautiful French Art Deco decorative box is reminiscent of Desny's work. The piece was crafted in France circa 1930. It features Macassar wood sides with a chromed metal lid and...

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

We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare Alfred Beurdeley (1847-1919) Paris fully stamped Tulip and Kingwood with bronze mounts jewelry casket on stand This is one of the finest jewelry caskets I have ever seen, the quality is second to none, if you search works by Berurdeley you will see multiple pieces in the hundreds of thousands of pounds, these are some of the best and most collectable original handmade master craftsman pieces ever conceived. A Japanese lacquered cabinet of similar form made by Beurdeley which was larger sold in Sothebys in June last year for 216,125 Euros including fees The cabinet is made with bookmatched Tulip and Kingwood with gilt bronze mounts all-over, the leather top is the original which is nicely aged, there is also a functioning key which is needed to access the drop front Condition wise this piece has been cleaned waxed and polished, I have left the overall finish original however it can be fully restored to include a strip back and French polish should the new owners wish, this restoration would be completed at the new owners expense. On inspection I can see two panels which have timber shrinkage splits, there are some patina marks to the top and general patina marks Dimensions: Height 100.5cm Width 41.5cm Depth 31cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point Alfred Beurdeley, 1847-1919 Nationality: French Date of Birth: 1847 Place of Birth: Paris Place of Death: Paris Identity: Emmanuel-Alfred Beurdeley was a collector who came from a family of cabinetmakers, antique dealers and collectors. He was the illegitimate son of Louis-Auguste-Alfred Beurdeley (1808–82). His grandfather, Jean Beurdeley (1772–1853), who served in Napoleon's army, opened a small antique shop in the Marais district of Paris. In 1830 he bought the Pavillon de Hanovre, 28 Boulevard des Italiens, which became the Beurdeley firm's principal gallery until 1894. L.-A.-A. Beurdeley dealt in antiques and works of art and was also a cabinetmaker specializing in reproductions of seventeenth and eighteenth Century Furniture. His clients included Napoleon III and the Empress Eugénie. Life: In 1875 E.-A. Beurdeley took over his family's gallery and workshops and until 1894 concentrated on continuing the line of luxury furniture sold by his father. He was one of the most important Parisian cabinetmakers, and won a Gold Medal at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1878. He was appointed Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1893 following the Universal Exhibition in Amsterdam. In 1895 he closed the Pavillon de Hanovre and retired to his hôtel in the Rue de Clichy. The rest of his life was spent acquiring and selling enormous collections of furniture, Chinese porcelain, paintings and drawings, including an extraordinary group of eighteenth century French drawings by François Boucher, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Nicolas Lancret and Antoine Watteau in 1905. He also owned JW's La Dormeuse...

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...

A handmade wooden jewellery box with a lid and lock, it is perfectly designed and created in a suitable size for keeping valuables inside. The top of this box has leaf patterns and l...

A german box from the 1960, probably used for Cigarettes with a turned teak wood base and an enameled copper lid with matte finish, nicely decorated with a stylized pattern of three fish. The box is unsigned and is most likely the work of Schibensky, or Scholz and Lammel...

With Tuscan Columns & Fan Inlay. From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Georgian Harewood Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of octagonal shape with a Harewood veneer ext...

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...

A top quality example of a late Victorian writing box with an integral writing slope / lap desk. This grand large example is made from beautif...

19th century English Regency box with unusual elm wood veneer. The beautiful grain of the elm wood has a very appealing golden hue, offset by rosew...

This is an antique ladies vanity box. An Italian, olive wood keepsake or jewellery box, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. Unusual form with a fascinating hidden lock mechanism Displaying a desirable aged patina and in good order Select olive wood stocks present fine grain interest Mellow caramel hues add to the appeal Presents as an appealing example of Sorrento ware...

An early 20th century sycamore box with carved decoration with straps, & gilded buckles Interior has been relined, Germany, circa 1910. This is a stunning quality box with great deta...