Metal Boxes

An extraordinary pair of large-scale Chinese cloisonné enamel covered boxes, dating to the late Qing Dynasty, late 19th century, each modeled as an exuberant head of cabbage and meas...

1970s Glamorous Hollywood Regency vintage jewelry box or treasure chest retailed by Saks Fifth Avenue, covered in Italian made Jacquard like embroidered fabric and gold velvet on 22k...

Offered is a stunning Sheffield silver keepsake box dating to 1900, with associated hallmark. This small box includes a clean interior and rounded corners. The box is free of names or initials, but would have been used to house keepsakes such as jewelry or cufflinks. A well maintained, elegant piece, this antique silver box is an excellent addition to any silver collection. Trinket or keepsake boxes have taken on many forms since their first conception in ancient times. However their purpose remains the same; to store jewelry and other items precious to the owner. Originally, these boxes were used specifically for jewelry. These were in common use as early as 5000 BC in Ancient Egypt, when the majority of Egyptians, both male and female, wore jewelry. Boxes were used to keep these gemstone encrusted items safe. In Ancient Rome, jewelry was a status symbol. Rings and brooches were utilized to represent ones status in society. Again, boxes were needed for security and storage purposes. Finding early examples of these are quite rare. Victorian and Edwardian examples of trinket boxes are far more common. This is because owning jewellery was a luxury until the Victorian era- let alone possessing so much a box was needed to store it all. Fine jewelry and other items became available to the masses after the industrial revolution due to the reduction in production costs. This led to a demand for trinket boxes, which were much smaller than jewelry boxes and therefore better suited to the needs of the middle class who did not yet possess an abundance of jewelry. In Victorian households, collectables and other items of interested were also stashed inside these boxes. This is why they are known as trinket or keepsake boxes, rather than just jewelry boxes, although of course jewelry was also stored in them. Trinket boxes were produced in large numbers around this time. Many were lined with colored plush or velvet or rich wood. More elaborate designs had interior divisions and trays for rings and other pieces of jewellery. It was also common to see trinket boxes so small that they could only contain one item, such as a single ring. Ornate exteriors were created to reflect the value of the trinket boxes contents. The Edwardian era saw the introduction of new styles of trinket box. These included small circular or oblong boxes...

Cast in bronze in the naturalistic form of a crawling turtle, this novelty pocket match safe features a domed carapace inset with mottled amber and brown faux tortoiseshell. The rept...

Gabriella Crespi brass pill cigarette card box Italian, 1970s Measures: 4.4 inches wide on each side 0.3 inches deep Born in 1922, Gabriella Crespi studies architecture at the Poli...

Japanese silvered metal jewellery box with enamelled top design of Mount Fuji, a dragon and flowers surrounding. The hinged top opens to the fine fuchsia pink silk interior.

Mid-20th century wooden box with silver bow/knot lid by french brand Hermès Paris By: Hermès Paris Material: fabric, silver, wood, leather, metal, silver plate Technique: cast, plat...

A most elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. Brass and Baccarat Crystal box. This wonderful rectangular shaded and lidded box showcases robust half round cuts carried across the ...

Antique Italian Iron Safe with Complicated Locking Mechanism Italy, early 19th century This compact yet substantial antique Italian safe is const...

We are very pleased to offer this distinctive Maitland-Smith decorative box, designed in the form of a classical gramophone, circa late 20th century. Crafted with a richly finished w...

Huge Antique Painted Tole Tea Caddy or Flour Bin

This small French tray is decorated in the typical styles of this Art Nouveau period featuring a nude woman posing. The condition of the tray is sturdy and has an amazing warm and ch...

A charming early 20th-century hinged cigarette box in cast metal with a warm bronze-toned finish and richly detailed relief decoration. #5686 The rectangular case features archite...

Silver plated Italian lidded apple with decorative brass stem and leaf handle. A lovely objet d'art that would also be perfect for storage on the dressing-table or bathroom.

Cigarette case sterling silver with long rounded sides in 925/1000 sterling silver with fire-enamelled stripes in Art Deco style. With “lost” hinge, i.e. semi-invisible. Dimensions ...

Beautiful rectangle jewelry box handmade from the finest top grade Mother of Pearl. This stunning Mother of Pearl box is perfect to store your beauti...

A vintage European wood jewelry or keepsake box, Modern style/Midcentury Modern design period, circa mid-20th century, Europe. Box features a faceted lid top with a jewel-like design...

A fine antique engraved sterling silver vinaigrette, Edward Smith, Birmingham, 1839. The vinaigrette is finely engine turned to the hinged top and the undersaide, the lid is monogram...

Gorgeous "Try to Remember" musical jewelry box by Reuge of Italy, circa 1970s. The box is in very good vintage condition and measures 5.25"W x 10.75"D x 3"H. The piece has a high gl...

A stunning antique bronze stamp box featuring Zodiac designs By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 3...

Beautiful MCM abalone shell and brass lidded trinket box with hard wood lining made in Mexico in the style of Los Castillios, circa 1960s. The piece is stamped on the underside “Made...

Italian silver box raised on 4 feet, 1970s Italian silver box in curvy octagonal shape with repousse design of flowers and scrolls The purity de...

A stunning and finely detailed French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu and Crystal box. This beautiful Crystal box displays a wonderful thick Crystal body with lattice designed ...

An unusual and highly decorative antique wooden humidor, probably dating to the early 20th century, featuring elaborate hand-painted decoration inspired by classical mythology. The ...

Bakelite minaudière box. Vintage Italian bakelite tortoise box with hinged mirrored removable lid, hinged lid double compartments and two open comp...

An elegant Italian leather box from the 1950s, handcrafted and clad in natural-toned leather featuring delicate gold-stamped motifs on the lid. Its understated, refined design makes ...

This exquisite antique French Art Nouveau trinket box features a beautifully crafted repoussed pewter lid with intricate floral motifs, set within a robust wooden body. The detailed ...

A handsome mid-Victorian mahogany travelling dressing case or medicine chest by Thomson, London, dating from the mid-19th century. Of compact rectangular form, the case is fitted wi...

A beautiful Empire lidded cast iron tobacco box with amazing patina. Made by Hellefors Bruk in Sweden, 1820s (during the Karl-Johan period). Good original condition, with some ligh...

Silver Plated Cigar Box or Jewelry Box - Art Deco Decorative Box - France 1930s Tall and elegant cigar box crafted in silver plated metal, and mahogany. Originally meant to receive...

Large casket, rosewood solid and veneered, France circa 1860/70, brass handle embedded in the lid, brass inlays, nice division inside (originally for tokens and cards), restored cond...

This petite keepsake box with a swivel lid is crafted in the tradition of Indian bidri-ware, with a dark metal body decorated with simple silver inlay. Composed of a zinc and copper ...

Art deco magic monkey mechanical dispenser box designed by Ronson. An extremely rare and very decorative mechanical desk box, created in the city of Newark, New Jersey United States by The Ronson Metal Works Co. during the art deco period, back in the 1936. This is the mechanical Pik-a-Cig Monkey box...

Large antique Sevres French Louis XV style porcelain dresser box measuring 13 by 8 1/4 by 5 1/4 inches with large hand-painted cartouche depicting lovers seated in the countryside, s...

This stunning original decorative box was expertly crafted in France, circa 1960. The rectangular form, featuring a Macassar wood main body, is complemented by a brushed gilded anodi...

A charming lidded box in the shape of a pair of dogs—two terriers of different colors—crafted in Austria around 1910. The object is made of solid bronze and features cold-painted de...

Asian decorative trinket lidded box in metal silvered hammered and etched with organic floral design. Anglo Raj style oval form betel box. Dimensio...

A Handsome Campaign Style Box with nice deep color and decorative brass mounts, top medallion and escutcheon (lacking a key). The inside lid and sides lined in dark green velvet, the bottom with vintage printed paper...

An exquisite, curated collection of three 19th-century European lapidary table boxes, including two natural banded agate boxes and a fine French rouge marble footed box, circa 1860–1...

An English letter box of serpentine knife box form, the sloping hinged lid inlaid with an oval conch shell paterae within crossbanded edges and fine...

Beautiful four-seater cigar case in leather with a stunning 925 silver decorated accent. The cigar case was made in Florence around 1950s.

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver tea caddy; an addition to our Victorian silverware. This exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victo...

Cigarette case silver 925 , striped and oval section in 925/1000 sterling silver. Opening button and spring opening . Early 20th century Art Deco style. ...

Vintage Egyptian Revival Jewellery Box with Nefertiti Relief & Hieroglyphic Decoration Decorative Trinket Casket Egyptian Collectible Vanity Box Celebrate the timeless beauty of Ancient Egypt with this beautifully crafted Egyptian Revival jewellery box, richly decorated with iconic motifs inspired by one of history's greatest civilisations. The hinged triple-lid design features elegant relief portraits of Queen Nefertiti, a pharaoh's sarcophagus, and traditional Egyptian symbolism, each enhanced with striking ruby-red cabochon accents that create a luxurious contrast against the silver-toned finish. The sides are exquisitely embossed with scenes of Egyptian figures, hieroglyphs, pyramids, and decorative borders, while the interior is fully lined with soft black velvet. Thoughtfully divided into three compartments, including a central ring holder, this pewter box is ideal for storing rings, earrings, cufflinks, pendants, and treasured keepsakes. An elegant decorative object as well as a practical jewellery casket, this piece makes a wonderful addition to a dressing table, study, display cabinet, or luxury interior. Perfect for collectors of Egyptian Revival décor, lovers of archaeology, and admirers of historical decorative arts, it also makes a memorable gift for any special occasion. Dimensions Height: Approx. 10 cm Width: Approx. 15 cm Depth: Approx. 7 cm Condition Presented in excellent vintage condition with only light signs of age and use, consistent with careful ownership. The velvet-lined interior is clean and well preserved, and the hinges operate smoothly. Egyptian jewellery box...

19th Century French Louis XV Style Bronze Box. This stunning antique French bronze box with a hinged lid, decorated with cupids surrounded with Sèvres-style porcelain floral and figurative plaques...

Antique 19th Century Victorian quality rosewood tea caddy having a lift up top opening to reveal a fitted interior with a pair of lidded tea boxes and a glass mixing bowl. In lovely...

Antique No. 20 machinist’s tool chest manufactured by the Pilliod Lumber Company of Swanton, Ohio. The portable chest features five graduated drawers crafted from quarter-sawn oak. ...

Beautiful and Minimalist Jewelry box. This rare beauty is a unique box or decorative box that brings minimal shape with organic beauty. Constructed of wood panels that have been ligh...

19th century non-combustible cast-iron travel strongbox by Bauche-Fichet, France Antique travel safe in non-combustible cast iron from northeastern France (Gueux, Marne). It is decor...

Mid-20th century Yamanaka lacquerware sweets box for tea ceremony, Japanese. Formed as a deep red apple with gold & colored enamel decoration. Post WWII. Provenance: Sherman E. Lee, ...

Beautiful silver plated and brass cigarette box designed and produced in France, 1970s. Beautiful item with a belt buckle detail in the Maria Pergay's style. Decorative item that wil...

We are very pleased to offer this elegant Chinese hardwood box, circa 1950s. Beautifully crafted in rosewood, this piece features a rich warm wood tone with traditional joinery and a...

Micromosaic Grand Tour Jewel Casket from the late 19th Century. Elaborate inlaid floral tessarae of daisies cover the lid of the jewel-trinket box with glass panels on each side. All...

A very rare example of a French mid-century modern silver plate and gold plate box by the iconic French fashion house, Hermès of Paris. A stunning design in silverplate with a gilde...

Gold Bird Box Charles Bruguier Circa 1840 An exceptionally rare 19th-century automaton treasure, this gold singing bird box was created by Charles Abraham Bruguier of Geneva circa 1840. One of only a few known examples of its kind, it embodies the extraordinary craftsmanship that has made Bruguier's work among the most coveted mechanical masterpieces of the era. Crafted in gold, the case is richly chased with ivy tendrils, floral scrolls and geometric borders. At its center, a hand-painted enamel oval depicts a beautiful view of Mont Blanc. When the lever is activated, the lid opens to reveal a remarkably lifelike bird adorned with real feathers. As it sings a vibrant melody, the bird turns its head, flaps its wings and tail and rotates with captivating realism. Beneath this enchanting display lies a signed and numbered fusee movement (No. 598) with an intricate eight-cam song sequence, a highly sophisticated mechanism that delivers exceptionally consistent power and an unusually complex, naturalistic birdsong. Reserved for the finest Swiss automata, fusee movements required extraordinary precision to manufacture and are rarely encountered in surviving singing bird boxes. Charles Abraham Bruguier (1788–1862), the last true heir to the Jaquet-Droz tradition, honed his craft in Geneva and London. He elevated singing bird mechanisms with remarkable refinement, building upon the innovations of Les Frères Rochat...

Tin can in black and white architectural motif / designed by Piero Fornasetti for DROPS / made in Italy Diameter: 3.5 inches / height: 11 inches 1 available in stock in Italy Order r...

Pair of Jugendstil Hammered Brass Lidded Boxes, Germany, ca. 1910 Of square form in hand-hammered patinated brass, each box with a close-fitting flat lid, the front face decorated wi...

An elegant and authentic French Art Nouveau jewelry casket, dating to circa 1920, masterfully crafted in bronze with beautifully beveled crystal panels. This refined decorative box e...

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...

Amazing Wiliam Spratling Dominoes set made of ebony wood and silver inlay. William Spratling (September 22, 1900–August 7, 1967) was an Americ...