Asian Boxes

A delicate, handcrafted Persian box decorated with intricate Khatam marquetry and a hand-painted scene on the lid. The upper composition depicts traditional Oriental figures in a gar...

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely 19th century Anglo-Indian Vizagapatam carved sandalwood and inlaid box Mid-19th century Anglo-Indian Vizagapatam carved sandalwood box...

A Beautiful Anglo Indian, Colonial, brass inlaid teak jewelry lidded box made for the English market. handcrafted with floral and hearts brass inlays on top are surrounded by brass inlaid border, intricate brass inlays design of florals and scrolls carries through to all four sides so will display nicely on a shelf, desk or coffee table. Displays a desirable aged patina and the teak wood shows fine grain interest and deep caramel hues. A large Anglo-Indian teak colonial Campaign casket with brass inlay, the hinged cover opens to reveal an original fitted interior with two compartments interior lined with red velvet. This is a distinctive and highly appealing vintage semi antique Anglo Indian jewelry...

An impressive Chinese export solid silver dragon box, crafted circa 1880–1920 from substantial heavy-gauge silver, 900 purity and intended for the Western market. The rectangular fo...

An exquisite Mid-Century Modernist tessellated marble demilune box, designed by Celerie Kemble for Maitland Smith, Philippines, circa 1980. This luxurious box features a beautifully ...

This vintage boho parquet rattan lidded box is a perfect blend of natural craftsmanship and functional storage. Featuring a beautifully woven herringbone pattern and reinforced with ...

This antique engraved sterling silver cigarette or decorative box was made in Japan in approximately 1900 in the period Japonisme style. The box is composed of an ebonized hardwood c...

Early 20th Century Afghani Carved Wood and Iron Storage box An early 20th century carved hardwood storage chest from Afghanistan, retains its original iron fittings and hardware. Th...

A truly fine hand-made, Chinese Zitan box. The top-ranking quality and precious material among all wood species in the world.  

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 ...

This lovely small mid century modern brass box is hinged. Very well made. It has the ram's head on one side and the tail at the other end .Hallmarked with numbers. Made In India in t...

Dowry Box, Lombok Indonesia, Sasak, Cowrie & Painted Palm 1950’s Handwoven and richly adorned, this 1950’s Sasak dowry box from Lombok, Indonesia, captures the ceremonial artistry o...

A relatively large rich dark red burgundy lacquer storage chest box with metal detail, Campaign design style, by designer Rae Kasian, circa late-20th centur...

An extraordinary Anglo-Indian box from Vizagapatam in fully carved solid ebony, late 19th century. Filigree ornate and sculpted floral decoration...

Large Anglo Indian Moorish Islamic style micro mosaic inlaid jewelry box with lid. Intricate inlaid Anglo Persian box with floral and geometric Moorish Sadeli design in an hexagonal shape form with micro mosaic marquetry, very fine artwork. Museum collector piece like the one in Doris Duke Islamic Art Museum. The repeating geometric patterns of Sadeli Mosaic are what give it beauty and richness. This decorative technique is a type of micro mosaic featuring repeating geometric patterns. Dimensions: H: 5 in : 12 in W x 12 in. D. Circa 1950s. Sadeli mosaic art is a highly skilled craft, it has had a long history in India and the Middle East with early examples dating back to the 16th century. In the 1800s, it became popular as a decoration on a variety of boxes, card cases, and chess boards imported from India. Since Bombay became a center of making them, they became known as Bombay boxes. The ancient art of Sadeli Mosaic is said to have been introduced from Shiraz in Persia via Sind to Bombay, a long time before Indian boxes appeared. The designs on early boxes 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 isn’t immediately apparent to the viewer. Will look great in a Moroccan decor...

A gorgeous Neoclassical style oval metal toleware box, chest, or bin with lid on stand By Maitland Smith Philippines, Late 20th Century Black lacquer...

Chinese Mid-Century small rectangular hinged chest with metal latch and two side ring handles, hand painted featuring two exotic birds (depicted on the top and front), pine, berries,...

Designed exclusively by Urban Art Home, this is a distinct and elegant decorative wood box made with lacquer and embellished with a sculpted sterling silver dragon. The square box ...

This silver trinket or jewelry box dates to the late 19th century and is presumed have been made in India. The silver tests to between .850 and 900 and as such, is slightly below .92...

This fabulous estate find is an old Turkish shoe shine kit that came from Istanbul. It is made of sturdy wood and brass with beautiful repousse Iznik in...

A small low table with lacquer and intricate mother-of-pearl inlay design from Ryukyu Islands kingdom circa 17-18th century. Ryukyuan kingdom was used to be an independent island cou...

A striking vintage postmodern decorative box showcasing the luxurious craftsmanship associated with late 20th century tessellated stone furniture and accessories. Hand clad in richly...

19th century Anglo-Indian wooden box fitted with various compartments finely hand carved. The top is finely hand carved with the Taj Mahal. The interior with removable hand carved nine-lidded compartments, the front cover has a mirror, the whole exhibiting very fine workmanship. This fine late Victorian Anglo-Indian box from India is in great condition for it age. A beautiful example of an Anglo-Indian fine art...

Brass and carved jade box - etched leaves on a brass box with a hinged lid of carved Jade flowers - a lovely trinket or change box for the vanity or dr...

Japanese novelty wall mounted key hanger in the shape of this jumbo padlock in patinated brass. Curious details with xl revits and key.shaped handle. ...

This intriguing Chinese zhadou is intricately carved of fine cinnabar lacquer. A work of exceptional artistry, this covered bowl is adorned with an intricately carved floral motif on all surfaces, including the cover and the wide rim. Also known as a cuspidor or spittoon, this rare container would have been used by members of the imperial family and scholar- officials at the court. Carved during the Kangxi period (1662-1722), this charming piece exhibits the high detail and charm associated with items from that period, making it a true treasure, Early 18th century (Kangxi dynasty) Measures: 6 ¼” wide x 3 ¼” high Cinnabar has been revered for its color all over the world. It has been found in the royal burial chambers of the Mayas, in the rituals of India, and in the ruins of ancient Greece and Rome. In China, cinnabar and gold were the two most important elements in alchemy. Mined since the Neolithic Age, cinnabar is the ore of mercury, and as such, it can be incredibly toxic, especially when mining. In fact, during the Roman Empire, miners at Spain’s Almadén mine in Spain were frequently exposed to mercury fumes, and the subsequent, often fatal, sickness was considered an occupational hazard. The most popular known use of cinnabar is in Chinese carved lacquer-ware, a technique that is believed to have originated in the Song Dynasty, in which cinnabar is ground to a powder and added to clear lacquer. As with mining, there was inherent danger of mercury poisoning for those who carved the lacquer, as mercury was also released into the air when artisans ground the pigments. Most antique cinnabar...

These are three small lidded boxes from the Vietnamese period, specifically from the 15th century during the Le Dynasty. Each box features intricate floral designs in blue on a white...

Old box made of cedar wood covered with paper. It is from around the Meiji era (1868-1912). Details of what it is used for are unknown, but it is a perfect item for creating a wabi-s...

Add a touch of classic elegance to your decor with this Vintage Art Deco Box With Rattan Detail. Showcasing sleek lines and intricate rattan accen...

Nice Japanese glove box in red, yellow and black lacquered wood dating from the end of the 19th century. It is decorated with delicate gold, black and red characters. Inside you have...

18th Century Brass Mounted and Lacquered “Marriage” Dowry Box. Exquisite Indian craftsmanship made of teak with decorative brass on a patinated red lacquered surface with intricate ...

A vintage Chinese woven rattan pillow basket from the mid-20th century, with geometric decor, bamboo and lateral handles. Attracting our eyes with its bamboo armature and rattan covered structure, this rustic pillow basket is adorned with black geometric motifs. Fitted with metal hardware in the front, the box opens up to reveal a convenient storage space. Used as a decorative object or to store items of your choice, this vintage Chinese pillow...

This beweled dressing mirror will make a wonderful addition to an eastern style room, with gold painted trim, jewels, and pressed tin, it is highly decorated and sits on four ball feet.

It is a carved wooden box, brown and black. One part is hand carved, the other Painted lacquered. It was made in China during the 1930s and 1940s, so it is from the Republic period.

A MUGHAL INDIAN BRASS ENGRAVED BETEL PANDAN BOX Northern India. 18th Century. Length: 4 1/4" in. (10.9 cm.), width: 3 1/4" in., (8.3 cm.), height: 2" in.,...

A Chinese wooden hat box - handmade, with a chinoiserie image. The box is in very good condition with fitted top, the wood is a wonderful patinated colo...

An anglo Indian workbox made of ebony. The tray lifts up from the box on the lid which is also inlaid in ivory and ebony and has a bone round disc that is signed New Bedford 1810. Th...

Japanese inro with 4 XIXth century boxes in gold lacquer with matt kinji background decorated in gold taka makiyé of different tones. Lacquered wood measuring 65 x 70 x 22 mm. Weight...

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING BOX AND MATCH HOLDER From our Japanese collection, we’re pleased to offer this Meiji period woven bamboo and mixed metal box with matching match holder. Th...

A very nice Chinese red lacquer box decorated in gold and black with a garden scene. Box has a black interior. Circa mid 1800s.

Asian Chinese hand painted large box decorated with of a small village gathering

The highly decorated tray in the form of a table frames a series of three stacking boxes, a further three lidded boxes and a tray concealed within, raised on ogee bracket feet. This...

A gorgeous antique Tibetan bronze filigree and inlaid agate trinket jar China, Early 20th Century Measures: 3.5"W x 3.5"D x 4.25"H. Good original vintage condition, with beautiful...

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 delightful antique Chinese cloisonné cylindrical box and cover by Lao Tian Li, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The box of cylindrical form and w...

PRESENTING A LOVELY 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Sadeli Mosaic Inlaid Sewing Box. Made in Bombay, India, circa 1880. The box is made of sandalwood with highly carved raised teak wood panels on all sides, depicting temple scenes, animals and foliage. The box is in a sarcophagus form. It is edged in bone (and we can tell it is bone and not ivory, from the color and evidence of capillaries, which are not found in ivory), and banded with Bombay Sadeli mosaic and ebony veneer. The lid opens to reveal a removable tray with various open compartments and lidded compartments. 5 lidded compartments, 1 unlidded compartment and 8 holders for thimbles, etc The tray lifts to reveal a blue velvet (original) lined section, for storing jewelry etc, with sections for collars etc. The inside of the lid has a removable mirror (the mirror is missing on this one but can easily be replaced). Behind the mirror is the original green velvet lining. It has its original brass carry handles on the sides and sits on 4 silvered button feet (of recent origin). Some repairs to the exterior and condition issues (priced accordingly), but still a LOVELY COLLECTIBLE box! 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! 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...

A fine early Meiji period Japanese cloisonne enamel box decorated with a graceful crane in flight among stylized clouds, with a sparrow perched near a flowering tree. The domed lid p...

A round wooden box from India. Might be some type of exotic rosewood. Circa 1920s, maybe a little earlier. Box with six ivory dots on lid, ivory feet and finial.

Two woven bamboo strip boxes, including one with leather details and geometric decorations, Dimensions: 1. 8.75" W x 4" H x 4" D 2. 5.75" W x 2.75" H x 2" D.  

The artist calls this vessel a flower basket in the calligraphy on the box. Showa period (1926-1989) black lacquer container in square form with notched c...

This box is a vintage Indian camel bone jewelry box. Rectangular shape with hand hammered brass details. Cover has pierced leaf pattern details and bra...

Beautiful old camel on wheels, trinket or spice box, vintage toy from the second half of the 20th century, made of solid red-colored wood, probably from India. The object has a beau...

In great condition for its age. With bone handle pulls.

A beautiful vintage decorated Famille Rose porcelain decorative box, Chinese Export/Chinoiserie desig style, circa mid-20th century. Box and lid are beautiful decorated with figures ...

No self-respecting man in Qing-dynasty China would leave the house without some kind of hat. In fact, headgear was so central to social status that even the containers used to store ...

A small square-form table with lacquer and intricate mother-of-pearl inlay design from Ryukyu Islands kingdom circa 17-18th century. Ryukyuan kingdom was used to be an independent is...

A fine late Qing or early Republic Period Chinese silver repoussé box featuring a scene possibly from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ...

A small hand-engraved container for tea, tobacco, betel nut, pills etc. Intricate details depicting a hunting-scene all around its outside. The lid features a soldier on an head-dres...

Indian "Bombay" dresser/jewelry box with a mirror in the lid and raised on a "tray" base with silvered feet. The exterior with exotic wood and sadeli work (micro-mosaic inlay) framin...

A round wooden box from India. Might be some type of rosewood. Circa 1920s, maybe a little earlier. Box with ivory feet and finial. The interior is about two inches deep.