Shell Boxes

19th century folk art box, with burl wood veneer and mother of pearl and fruit wood inlay. The surface decorated with geometric, diamond and star motifs. The raised top with a banded...

A vintage black lacquered lidded circular box with mother or pearl floral inlaid décor. This vintage Chinese black lacquered box is a testame...

Heavily Inlaid with Mother of Pearl and Abalone From our Writing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this stunning Antique Inlaid Writing Box by Hausburg. The Writing Box of rec...

Very fine William IV tea caddy with mother of pearl inlay in rosewood ground, the overall sarcophagus form, having palm fronds and folia...

This vintage coastal box is beautifully encrusted with an array of natural shells, creating a stunning, textured surface that captures the essence of beachside charm. Perfect as a de...

Antique 19th century Anglo-Indian jewelry, trinket footed box, inlay with ebony, mosaic marquetry Sadeli work and a carved Hindu scene on top. The box case is made from sandalwood wi...

Vintage large sea shell encrusted humidor wood box in faux bois finish.

Abalone shell veneered box of rectangular form with domed top and lined with rosewood. Marked Taxco on the bottom.

Exquisite handcrafted Middle Eastern Lebanese mosaic marquetry wood box. Small octagonal walnut Syrian style box intricately decorated with Moorish...

Elevate your space with this exceptionally rare vintage seashell box, a true testament to artisanal craftsmanship and natural beauty. Adorned with a curated arrangement of hand-selected seashells in soft lavenders, rose-pinks, creams, and ivory, this one-of-a-kind coastal treasure box evokes the romance of old-world seaside glamour. Likely crafted in the mid-20th century, this shell-encrusted jewelry box features a charming domed lid and intricate shell mosaic work—making it a standout addition to any vintage coastal decor, cottagecore aesthetic, or grandmillennial interior. Whether styled on a vanity, nestled into a bookshelf, or offered as a luxurious gift, this box blends nostalgia with natural elegance. Key Features: Authentic vintage seashell trinket box, circa 1950s–1970s Completely handmade using real seashells, no two alike Gorgeous palette of pastel shells: mauve, blush, ivory, taupe Functional hinged lid and purple velvet-lined interior Ideal for jewelry storage, keepsakes, or as an heirloom gift Excellent vintage condition with rich patina and natural wear Styling Ideas: Style atop a Louis XV bombe chest...

Contemporary American Modern oval jewelry box with an applied brown and beige seashell exterior and green velvet interior.

The "Coco" round box in black shagreen with bronze patina brass exudes unparalleled luxury and craftsmanship. Its impeccably quilted shagreen surface is a tactile masterpiece, echoin...

20th-century jewellery box This jewellery box originates from France. Mid-20th century. Inlaid with various types of wood and mother-of-pearl. Dimensions: 19L x 19W x 13.5H cm

This resplendent rectangular Judaica jewelry box is a true celebration of traditional craftsmanship and refined artistry, entirely veneered in lustrous...

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Boulle stationery box by Leuchars & Sons, dating to the late nineteenth century during the Victorian period, circa 1880. The box is of rectangular form with...

A French 19th century writing box made of exotic rosewood. The top of the petite trunk is inlaid with a small tile of mother-of-pearl, engraved for “Charlotte”. The case opens to rev...

Inlaid table cabinet with six compartments and two handles. This is a beautifully decorated crafted box reflecting the craftsmanship and cultural influences of Goa during the colonia...

Raised on Four Legs with a Domed Top From our Jewellery Box collection, we are delighted to introduce into the market this stunning Tortoiseshell and Silver Jewellery Box by William...

Inlaid with floral sprays of engraved mother of pearl and brass From our Sewing Box collection, we are delighted to offer this William IV Rosewood Inlaid Sewing Box. The Sewing Box ...

19th-century Continental Tortoise Shell Silver-Mounted 2-Compartmented Box, European, possibly Dutch. Unmarked A unique and whimsical 19th-century continental tortoise shell silver-...

The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. Talisa jewelry chest in cream shagreen, black pen shell and brass by R&Y Augousti is a stunning piece to store your personal items. This piece has 2 doors that open to 4 drawer compartments that have black velvet trays...

1970s handmade domed top shell box.

PRESENTING A LOVELY 19C Anglo Indian Vizagapatam Bone and Shell Domed Stationery Box – ‘Alice’s Box’. Made in Vizagapatam, India, circa 1860-80. We call this one: “Alice’s Box”! It has lived ‘a hard, well used and traveled life’, as is evident from the number of losses and repairs, as is obvious from the photos, especially to the faux ivory panels and bands to the top. The bonus to the loss of the frieze panels to the dome has a ‘bonus’, however, as their loss has revealed the most GORGEOUS faux blonde tortoiseshell underneath! The box is dome/casket shaped. The top has 3 bands, with the center one being the original. The 2 side bands are later ivorine. The faux ivory and hand-painted medallions on the domed lid, have been saved and they depict Hindu Gods, Vishnu and Shiva. The front and side panels are still in pretty good shape and are decorated with lac ink (indelible ink made from crushed beetles) depicting lovely floral designs. The domed lid open to reveal a series of open compartments for envelopes, writing paper etc. and one lidded panel for stamps. Inside the box are 2 paper labels: one probably being the original item ticket and the other with: ” Alice’s address is 272 Ashworth Ave, Toronto 4, Ontario”. Probably, the original owner? Hence, we call it ‘Alice’s Box’. What a journey/life this box has had! Made in India, made its way to Canada, back to Ireland and then to Texas! This is why, WE LOVE ANTIQUES...

This refined folding card case is of rectilinear form and constructed with an exterior veneered in richly figured tortoiseshell, framed by narrow linear inlays that emphasize its arc...

Water flowing over rocks creates a contrast between the sparkle of the water and the relative opacity of the rocks. In these boxes black lacquer pours over natural shells that glow a...

This 1960s French ornate inlaid jewelry box is a striking decorative object that captures the playful elegance of mid-century design. The exterior is meticulously adorned with an arr...

1980s decorative pen shell cube box attributed to Maitland Smith. Medium brown pen shell with dark gray tessellated stone accents. Wood lined box. No ma...

This is a small oval shaped antique metal Pill Box with Inlay to the lid and dating to the Edwardian or late Victorian period. The box is made ...

Victorian Period, sterling silver-mounted (unmarked, but tested) Cowrie shell snuff box with hinged lid, England, Ca. 1840's. Measures 3 inches long x 2 inches deep x almost 2 inches high. Sterling silver mount is engraved Mrs. Margaret Burke...

This refined cigar case is executed in richly figured tortoiseshell, shaped in a gently contoured rectangular form with softly rounded ends, the exterior polished to a deep transluce...

The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...

A lovely bow front tortoiseshell tea caddy inlaid with mother of pearl flowers and topped with a silver badge. English, circa 1870.

Contemporary American Modern oval jewelry box with an applied seashell exterior and red velvet interior.

Large, Georgian (George III), brass-mounted cowrie shell snuff box with hinged lid, England, Ca 1810. Measures 3 1/2 inches long x 2 1/4 inches deep x 2 1/4 inches high. Dark areas...

This late 19th century English trinket box has an elegant design of lacquered papier-mâché with mother-of-pearl inlay. The inlaid decoration depicts a spray of various flowers which ...

Two antique collapsible faux tortoise boxes with sea shell flower on top.

Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...

Tortoiseshell tea caddy with inlaid mother of pearl from England. Metal lined under two lids.  Excellent condition, circa 1860.

A lacquer presentation box with mother-of-pearl inlays from Japanese Ryukyu Islands circa 17-18th century. The lidded box in rectangular form with rounded corner is a classic example...

Vintage Conus seashell box with sterling silver mounts - side hinge - unidentified hallmarks to the interior (.925 silver) - Italy (Florence - likely) - m...

A lovely vanity box crafted out of Calamander with brass inlay. It is by the prestigious British firm Sampson Mordan & Co of London. The utensils feature mother of pearl handles and ...

A stunning Japanese Edo period lacquer tanzakubako, box for poem cards, late 18th-early 19th century, Edo Period, Japan. Attributed to the Igarashi School, this box is masterfully ...

PRESENTING a LOVELY 19C Anglo Indian Bombay MOP (Mother of Pearl) Sadeli Mosaic Trinket Box from circa 1875-85. Gorgeously detailed and hand-crafted ‘sadeli mosaic’ inlay, from the Bombay Area, with deep greens with silver, pewter, mother of pearl, bone and ebony in geometric patterns. The box case, is made of sandalwood but completely covered in MOP, bone, faux ivory, ebony and mosaic inlay. Edged with faux ivory and banded with a different pattern of sadeli mosaic. Some minor damage to the top (repair is obvious in pics) and ivorine replacements to some edging, but it still a BEAUTIFUL BOX and of real QUALITY! The mosaic work is FABULOUS! Box opens to reveal its original blue velvet lining. It sits on 4 (recently added) silvered button feet. 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...

Contemporary American Modern music box / jewelry box with an exterior finished in beige and pink speckled seashells, which opens along a hinged edge to a red velvet interior, with a ...

A stunning vintage Moorish arabesque inlaid table box, 20th century, high quality rectangular box with hinged lid, featuring contrasting mother of pearl, exotic hardwood, and bone marquetry inlay arranged in geometric patterns, opening to red fabric lined interior. Dimensions: (approx) 3" High, 16.75" Wide, 6 1/8" Deep; 3.2lbs As warm and attractive as it is functional, having the ideal large size and proportions for a variety of different uses, including concealing a remote control on your coffee table or sofa table, or as a jewelry casket, trinket case...

Hollywood regency shell and burl jewelry box Italy 1970s shell, burl H 6.5 cm - 20 x 17 cm Conditions: excellent consistent with age and use.

Unique fabulous Sailors Valentines micro sea shells treasure box with central flower.

Box Eagle and Swordfish Egg with cracked green real egg box on a silvered plated metal eagle and swordfish, on black stone base.

Discover the timeless elegance of this large, handcrafted Middle Eastern Lebanese jewelry box, a stunning testament to traditional artistry. Meticul...

A luxurious English writing box of circa 1879, in the manner of Tunbridge Ware using burled walnut that has been inlaid with mother-of-pearl and geometric marquetry. The top of the l...

Like an ancient pebble or river-rock that has been tumbled for centuries to polish and reveal its alluvial layers. Hand-turned solid oak box enveloped in lacquered eggshell marquetry.

A large folk art sea shell encrusted tissue box. This shell-covered box is the perfect way to add coastal design to a space. It is rectangular in sh...

This box is in wood and recovered with shells. It can be used as a Jewelry box or decorative box. It has been made in France during the XX Century. The color is White and red inside,...

There is type of English sweet called a Licorice Allsort. They are made in different layers and some have little balls covering them. The red lacquer and the little white pieces of e...

Magnificent layers and inlays of multi-colored mother-of-pearl cover each side of this breathtaking German snuff box. Each incredibly detailed scene is framed by finely engraved yell...

Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...

Contemporary American Modern rectangular box, with an applied seashell veneer and green, teal and blue patterned interior.

A monumental 19th C. English papier mache jewelry box. Highly decorative with a hand carved scalloped black lacquered body, inlaid on all sides wi...

This captivating Palais Royal sewing nécessaire is crafted of engraved mother of pearl mounted in rich doré bronze. The hinged box contains a remov...

Internal Music Box Playing Two Aires From our Writing Box collection, we are delighted to bring to the market this exceptional French Palais Royal Musical Writing Box. The Writing ...