Iron Boxes

Full of character and old-world charm, this antique miniature travel trunk combines the craftsmanship of traditional French luggage with the practical function of a decorative jewelr...

A beautiful casket form cast iron and bronze dresser box, jewelry box, cigar box, or decorative box with interior cedar lining. The front depicts a scene from the 1219 Battle of Lynd...

A Rare Carved and Metal Mounted Casket with Remnants of ‘Pastiglia’ Decoration retaining the original lock plate Wood, iron, polychrome Catalonia, Spain 14th Century Size: 17cm ...

A charming antique 19th century British pine document box with iron handles, monogrammed L.B. Elliott on a brass plaque on the top. Handcrafted with solid dovetail construction and a...

A rectangular copper box with repousee sunflower decoration to top and front, having hinged lid with hand-forged rattail iron handle, rivetting to corners and scrolled iron feet. O...

Leather trunk Spanish, 17th century Boiled Leather, wood and iron Measures: 22 x 53 x 32 cm. Provenance : - collection Metz-Noblat, Château de Clevant, France Rectangular trunk of the form and size of a small suitcase with wrought iron hinges and lock-plate. Wood, covered with leather, cut and embossed with every surface of the thick cow hide covered in interlace, zoomorphic features. The construction method is boiled leather, often referred to by its French translation cuir-bouilli: a process used to change flexible, vegetable-tanned leather into rigid, moulded objects. For shaping of the vegetable-tanned leather, heat and moisture were used, as indicated by the term boiled leather. No written medieval sources describing the production of decorated cuir bouilli objects survive, so knowledge of the process relies on the important studies of the Scottish leather historian John William Waterer. A large range of methods, materials and techniques could be used in various combinations. The vegetable-tanned leather, made supple with moisture and heat, was stuffed, shaped and nailed to the rigid wooden coffer support. The stuffing material was probably modeled beeswax or stearin wax. To shape the leather, to create its topography, « Cushions » were made by lacing a thread through an awl hole and attaching the flexible leather and stuffing to the rigid wooden support on the bottom. Then the decoration was done: lines were incised through the upper layer of the leather (epidermis) with different thicknesses of knives or needles. Contours were created with deep v-shaped cuts, decoration with thin incision and final details with a needle point. For the incision and pouncing stage, the leather was probably kept heated and moistened for suppleness. Once dry, the leather would be hard and rigid. the saturated leather is worked over a form, possibly even damp sand, with the pattern shaped using bone or wooden tools. Compare to metal, leather was lighter and it offered protection from cuts and punctures. Cuir bouilli objects were produced by specialist leather workers and needed skillful craftsmanship. The surface is filled with roundels shaped foliages enclosing animals, lions and peacocks. The foliate arabesques creating a vegetal connection tweet the animals create the impression of a lush verdant space . The vegetal pattern here employed in combination with geometrical pattern came from the pre-islamic artistic traditions of the Byzantine and Sasanian empires. An aspect of Islamic geometry Is the basic symmetrical repetition and mirroring of the shapes that create a sense of harmony. The decoration of this truck is inspired by the islamic « arabesque » a form of vegetal ornament composed of spirals, intertwining plants and abstract curvilinear motifs. An arabesque character is given to the birds of the decorations through extreme stylisation. This arabesque maintained the classical tradition of median symmetry, freedom in Detail and heterogeneity of ornament. The presence of the peacocks is a paradisiacal allusion: in popular Islamic literature they were among the original inhabitants of the garden of Paradise expelled with Adam and Eve. Peacock as a decorative motif may have originated in the West, despite their eastern provenance. There was an ancient belief that the flesh and feathers of peacock do not decay. This led to the peacock becoming a christian symbol for Christ’s resurrection. Renowned for their decorative wall hangings, seventeenth-century Spanish leatherworkers also produced utilitarian objects, such as this trunk. A similar trunk is on display at the Metropolitan museum of art ( 09.158.1). Related literature : Davies L. 2006. Cuir bouilli. Conservation of leather and related materials, 94-102, Oxford: elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann Grabar, Oleg. The Mediation of Ornament. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1992 Gabriela Germana Roquez, "El mueble en el Peru en el siglo XVIII...

Keep your jewelry or important documents locked up in this small antique safe from Northern France. Crafted, circa 1880, the 52 pound cast safe has a chic two-tone black and silver paint finish. The heavy...

A very rare wood lined "Anno 1219 Battle of Estonia" lidded box / humidor by Iron Art of Copenhagen, circa early 1900s. The casket box commemorates the Danish / Estonian Battle of Ly...

A fine example of an English needlework casket from the Charles II period (1660-1685), with silk work exterior panels depicting various figures and animals, a top mirrored compartmen...

Antique Cast Iron Diamond Safe & Jewelry Casket Box, Circa 1895 The box itself measures approximately 7.5 x 6.5 x 5.5 inches. Measurements are of the case only, not including the...

A Fiat storage container, this iron artifact represents an authentic fragment of Italian manufacturing memory, a loading unit from the historic FIAT plants of the mid-20th century. M...

A portable stacking box featuring five separate tiers, crafted from limewood and originally coated in black lacquer. Remnants of the lacquer are still visible, lending the container ...

A fine Korean iron box with intricate silver inlay dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The body of the box is made from iron of a heavy weight although the wear on t...

Antique American Wood Countertop Plug Tobacco Cutter with Drawer, circa 1880 Antique American wood countertop plug-tobacco cutter with an integral crum...

A late Georgian pitch pine crate that would off originally been used for transporting a dog on a carriage. In wonderful original condition, with its original green painted finish tha...

Paneled case with top lifting handle and side handles. Signed on top with working lock and key.

Impressive wrought iron tabletop safe with engraved decoration and original patina. This type of safe was commonly used in the 16th and 17th centuries to hold valuables, alms, or doc...

An early 19th century French boite à sel, or salt box, made of solid oak. Hinged lid with tacked leather tabs. A simple handcrafted box with nice proportio...

A fine example of an early 17th century Italian wooden casket or box, possibly pine, with slightly vaulted lid covered with red silk and adorned with appliqued foliate velvet with em...

An extremely rare pair of Regency cast-iron sarcophagus shaped strong boxes. Regency, circa 1820 Painted to simulate palisander wood and with parcel-gilt, the cavetto-moulded hinged lids cast with flower sprays above foliate-cast bands over front panels relieved with river gods within canted corners cast with standing muses, the sides with lion mask and ring handles over leafy aprons on massive lion’s paw feet; the Brahmah type lock stamped “T. Davis from London” and impressed with the Royal Crown. These extraordinary pieces are modelled on Regency wine coolers. The forms are classic Greco-Roman revival with the boat-hook handles, mythic figures and the overall sarcophagus pattern. You would struggle to find one let alone a pair. Good items for any collection. Research on going into these strong boxes but we have found possible information on the lock stamped Davis….(historyoflocks ) The relationship of King George III and George Davis of Windsor, who was locksmith in ordinary to His Majesty. Davis, in 1799, invented and patented a unique style of lock, which was also beautifully engraved with a warning not to make duplicate keys. Sensitive government secrets always demanded, then as today, locks that were state of the art. Davis locks ended up on government dispatch boxes...

Beautiful handmade oak silver chest. It was made to hold valuables such as silver coins, jewels or maps. This was the precursor to the modern day safe. It is due to its age beautiful...

An oversized sycamore fruit form tea caddy dating to circa 1800, turned from solid sycamore with a rounded body and a natural patination acquired over more than two centuries. Likely...

An antique wooden chest from the 16th century, reinforced with wrought-iron hardware and decorative rivets; it retains its original lock and an attractive patina developed over time....

ANTIQUE KITCHENALIA/FARMING INTEREST A wooden crate originally used to transport eggs safely from a rural farm, usually by railway, to their final destination in a town or city. Th...

Spanish Colonial inlaid bone and faux tortoiseshell domed top box. Original hammered iron hinges. Circa 1680-1740. Excellent condition and very rare.

This original 19th-century wooden box features sturdy iron handles on each side and is painted in a beautiful, aged gray. The box could be used for storage or as a decorative eleme...

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...

Rare 16th century Nuremberg box In iron, measurements: 13 x 18 x 12 cm Good condition.

A charming scarce Spanish Colonial era parquetry inlaid cedar legged storage chest (large table box / small trunk) with nicely aged warm rich dark patina. circa 1790 Rustic handmade...

Iron strong box treasure chest, nicely crafted case and mechanism. Original key included . Possibly stage coach item .

A rare and character-filled Spanish Colonial dome-top trunk, late 19th century, clad in original hair-on cowhide with geometric patterns formed from decorative metal studs. The rich,...

The item on sale is an iron chest or casket suitable for arts and crafts or as a decorative object. It might have been made in Germany, England or Scottland. The box has been hand cr...

Mid 18th century Scandinavian baroque oak iron bound box circa 1720. Characterful oval shaped box profusely covered with iron edging and strap work.  This piece has taken on a great...

A striking Art Deco cast iron box produced by Husqvarna, Sweden, in the 1930s. The lid is richly decorated with finely sculpted reclining nude figures in relief, showcasing exception...

Regimental cash box. Iron. Possibly Germany, 18th century. It has faults. Rectangular safe with a flat lid containing the top bolt mechanism (which has a simple mechanism to cover...

Indian Kerala Dowry Box, Malabar, 20th century. 8 inches wide by 6 ½ inches deep by 6 inches tall Very good overall.

A rare and characterful 19th-century South Indian teakwood travelling box, finely constructed from solid hardwood and fitted with decorative brass and iron hardware. The box feature...

19th century Swedish folk art wooden box from Piteå, Norbotten Northern Sweden The wooden box has untouched original color. The box is stable in construction. Nice storage inside. Ha...

Unique and all handcrafted, wrought iron box attr. to Hugo Berger Goberg. It is always refreshing to find an antique object probably by a famous maker, that you have never seen befo...

An Indian rustic wooden box from the 19th century, with nicely weathered appearance, iron details and incised motifs. Created in India during the 1...

Antique folk art box, a so called Forskrin which was used when travelling for storing documents and valuables around the late 1700s. Made in nor...

Elegant Baroque casket crafted in oak, richly veneered with hand-cut walnut and finished with ebonised mouldings. The lid features pronounced Baroque-s...

This Two Door – Six Drawer Cupboard Maquette offers a rare and revealing glimpse into Jim Rose’s legacy at the level of process and intention. Created during his residency at the Joh...

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...

Mid 19th century Swedish painted pine strong box circa 1840. Fine example of a small strong box which people used to keep their valuable's safe in. Rustic made from shaped pine, or...

An Italian straw work box decorated everywhere with extraordinary straw-work geometrical marquetry on a wooden structure, coated even inside and at the bottom. This Italian box, has a rectangular shape, hand-realized in an antique abbey...

This is either a 19thc hardware drawer box or a cash drawer of sorts.The construction is early cut nails and a dovetailed drawer.There is a brass & iron handle on the side of the box...

18th-century Dutch Walnut and Iron Polychrome Domed Table Box  Netherlands, 18th century or older A 18th-century Dutch walnut and iron polychrome domed table box, likely retaining i...

Traditional 19th century Swedish shaped box on stand. Rustic made Scandinavian metal bound strong box on later stand. Useful addition of a base makes this an ideal sofa side storag...

Decorative traditional 19th century hand painted Swedish box circa 1840. We are pleased to offer this strong box from our travels around Scandinavia. Hand painted with yellow flora...

Rectangular body casket with semicircular lid made of carved wood and covered with a worked leather that has been reinforced with a series of forged iron fittings, material in which ...

Special antique wooden farm bucket. Wooden bucket pail having heavy hand forged iron banding. Two solid wooden handles specifically for titling the bucke...

An antique Java Indonesia teak burl document box with pieces metal corner mounts, brass studs, wood trim, side handles and a shield form escutcheon plate with a later fitted key. The...

Very rare jewellery/safe box in style of Vienna secesion with hammered decor.

French steel box from the 1930s. Green lacquered case with golden craquelé pattern. The cash register has a classic handle and a key to lock. Painted green in the interior and a shee...

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...

A shaped Regency period room warmer in the form of an elongated allium bulb with curved sides and octagonal ribs, with integral lid and decorated footed base, constructed of heavy ca...

This red lacquered blanket chest stands out with its vibrant finish and intricate gilt decoration. The rectangular lid is richly adorned with floral motifs and rosettes, opening via ...

Antique Bronze Trinket Box Casket Copenhagen Denmark Battle of Estonia by Iron Art. Item features scenes depicting the Danish King Daldemar's divine...

A fine Korean iron box that was traditionally used to store tobacco leaves dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The box is made from iron and has a heavy weight, although the wears along the edges of the lid and base exposes a bronze metal color underneath, indicating the iron metal may contains a high level of copper. The surface was beautifully decorated with elaborate silver inlay that covers the entire surface except the base. The extraordinary workmanship depicts a pair of deer within the circled square (shape of heaven and earth) and a lined background on the long sides and a crane with spread wings on the shorter sides. Both animals were associated with longevity. Their eyes were highlighted with copper inlay, adding a lively touch to the animation. The lid is centered with a Chinese character "Xi" (Paired-Hui in Korean), which means double happiness. (In Chinese culture, it is often used in a wedding ceremony). The large symbol was set on geometrical background of tightly scrolling diamond pattern surrounded by stylized Ruyi mushroom heads, another floral longevity symbol. Archaic fret cloud band borders the entire perimeters of the lid and the container. Tobacco was introduced to Korean in the first half of the 17th century and gradually gained popularity. When the tobacco was started being smoked in shredded form instead of rolled leaves, there rose the production of the smoking accessories, with some in fine quality as luxury items for the elite. The accoutrement such as this box is a fine example made in late Joseon dynasty, using extensive silver inlay, a technique called "jjoeum-ipsa", in which the silver wires were hammered into the scorched iron surface to create the elaborate design. Similar boxes with variation of shape and motifs are in the collection of several major museums. Compare the box with item Gu 754 in the National Museum of Korea; item 22.78 in MET NYC and M.240:1, 2-1926 in V& A Museum in London. The most closely related example we found is item C232 in the collection of the Museum of East Asian Art...