Iron Boxes

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...

A fine example of a diminutive burled walnut vargueno, collector or valuables cabinet, with molded cornice and drop front, opening to a multi-drawer ...

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 ...

Iron strong box treasure chest, nicely crafted case and mechanism.

This unique Late 19th Century Storage Box was handcrafted from old growth walnut and hand forged iron in the late 1800's. The piece features iron bound edges, two side handles, one f...

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...

Early 18th century inlaid Italian walnut and tortoiseshell vargueno. 6 drawers with fine inlay, iron hardware.

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,...

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...

Wrought iron box with secret 18th century Riveted wrought iron box. One of the rivets moves upwards and makes an internal mechanism move in order to open. The mechanism is incomplete...

Exceptional antique jewelry box with fine depictions of hunting themes and forest animals. Heavy iron work, silvered in a very good condition. Lined with turquoise fabric in a good c...

Very nice wrought iron lock box with lock and key. Great quality.  

Spanish wooden chest with original iron fittings.

Rare Nicole Frères music box – exclusively playing Mozart Beautiful Swiss music box by Nicole Frères, made in the second half of the 19th century. Wooden case: Exterior features a r...

A fine pair of Korean iron box with intricate silver inlays dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The matching circular boxes was most likely used to store tobacco lea...

Spanish wooden chest with original iron fittings.

Rare keywind music box by Nicole Freres. Playing 8 tunes as indicated on the original tunesheet. 7 tunes by Bellini from the opera's Puritana, La Norma. 1 tune by Donizetti. Althoug...

Art Deco Carved Iron Box An Art Deco style iron box, an object that stands out for its refined aesthetics and practical functionality. The piece has a classic circular shape, with a ...

19th century most rare and unusual original painted miniature bible box with original painted surface and gilding. This early gem has original iron hi...

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...

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...

An outstanding 17th century and later simulated tortoiseshell, gilt decorated, and iron bound strong box. With Chinoiserie decoration, the hinged top enclosing void interior with iro...

The chest presented here consists of interlocking solid wood base, but the structure is strengthened by two iron bands running across its four faces at the back, top, bottom, and fro...

A very unique decorative jewelry box hand-crafted of black glass, mirror, iron, and geode by Don Drumm, late 20th century. The geode boasts a bevy of brilliant blues, from cerulean t...

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...

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

A rare early 19th century Russian iron-bound box decorated with gilt metal 'Frost' pattern. The beautiful gold panels meant to mimic frost on glass. Retai...

Beautiful Nicole Frères Music Box, Geneva, circa 1860 This outstanding music box was crafted around 1860 by Nicole Frères, the most renowned and sought-after maker of fine music box...

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...

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...

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...

For your consideration. a fabulously aged antique wood box with handles. Box has patinated metal trim pieces & forged iron nails. No mak...

Nicole Frères music box with rare "mandoline setting" A beautiful and highly collectible Nicole Frères music box, featuring the rare and sought-after mandoline setting — a special t...

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

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...

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...

A vintage Metal mountable mailbox with key turn to open and close the box. The flap keeps mail safe and dry. There are removable rear bars that can be added for news paper, periodi...

This is a vintage deed box. An English, Art Deco iron document or deposit chest, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1930. Displays a desirable age...

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...

French wrought iron key box, France, 1950s. Measures: Width 10.6" (27cm), height 7" (17.7cm), depth 2.3" (6cm).

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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

A rustic Indian antique wooden treasure box from the 19th century, with iron braces, carved rosettes and petite feet. Created in India duri...

A Swedish oak-wood box from the Gustavian period dated 1802. The richly carved box with scenes of a dog hunting a deer, doves flying and black grouses. Decorated with a pattern of ro...

19th century ball-shaped iron box with hook for hanging and a lock.

An Indian small wooden box from the 19th century, with iron hardware and carved rosacea. Created in India during the 19th century, this wooden box fea...

An Indian antique black box from the 19th century with iron nailheads and braces, carved wooden base and rustic patina. Created in India during the 19th century, this box features a linear silhouette perfectly complimented by a black patina accented with iron nailheads. The lid opens fully to reveal a reddish brown lacquered interior with nicely weathered appearance. Raised on a carved wooden base with iron details, this antique Indian box...

Each of the four squares that make up this table center consists of four triangles forged between them to form a hollow in the shape of an inverted pyramid. The four squares are ass...

1930s wooden box with iron corners.

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...

19th century ball-shaped iron box with hook for hanging.

This antique coal scuttle was created in France, circa 1870. Built of cast iron, and shaped as a shell with foliage repousse decor, the patinated bucket stands on escargot feet over ...

this early music box plays 4 cheerful melodies on a 20.5cm cylinder as provided on the original melody card. Nicole Freres was the leading manufacturer of music boxes in the 19th cen...

Very nice and early overture music box, probably by Lecoultre (alltough unsigned). The key wind mechanism plays 4 overtures with a nice and bright tone on a very fine comb. The fad c...

Musical souvenir box made in Switzerland in the 19th century for the German marker This rare snuffbox plays 2 melodies. Indicated on the inside of the lid. The case is made of met...

Very early fat cylinder music box. The mechanism has a 2 per turn setting, but plays 1 tune in 2 parts on the first revolution resulting in 7 tunes in total. The plane brass bedplate...