Asian Boxes

Nettur Petti jewellery box, Dowry box, 19th century (possibly older) With piramid shaped lid. These boxes were inspired by the temple architecture of Kera...

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 ...

Anglo-Indian inlaid box with elephant motif (circa 1920s). Dimensions: 14"H x 19.5"W x 13"D.

This large and impressive Mandarin food storage box is very detailed and well-constructed. The case, made of finely carved wood, houses five different stackable storage boxes. Each b...

A ruyi-shaped Shakudo-style erotic tobacco or snuff box, relief-decorated with silvered applied figures Possibly Jakarta (Batavia), first half 18th century Measures: H. 2.2 x L. 12.1 x W. 8 cm This box is very much in the Dutch taste, for the illustration is after a print with a legend reading “L’oiseau sans cage. Prenez, belle, mon oiseau. C’est le plus doux présent que je puisse vous faire. Pour les autres oiseaux, la cage d’ordinaire est une espèce de tombeau. Mais le mien semble prendre une nouvelle vie, Lorsqu’il sera dans la cage de mon aimable Silvie.” The erotic message is as clear as can be. In Dutch culture the verb ‘vogelen’ (catching a bird) is another word for having sex and a bird escaping from his cage indicates loss of chastity. The lady with the bare breasts, while making the sign of sealed lips to the lady behind her, who is pointing towards heaven, seems to be caressing the bird held in the sleeping man’s groin. 17th century Dutch pictures...

A wonderful and colorful hand painted Chinese lidded trinket box, circa 1950s. The handcrafted ceramic box measures 4.5" W x 3.25" D x 2.5" H and has a floral motif on a yellow backg...

Beautiful and rare, this superb silver-mounted cut glass box was crafted by the legendary Russian firm Fabergé. The rounded cut glass box features a diamond pattern, while the hinged...

This is a fine example of an early 20th C rectangular bronze betal nut box with beautiful and elaborate silver inlay from Mindanao in the Philippines. The box has a handle on each si...

- Once courtship is complete, male and female swans bond for life and this delightful pair of Japaneer cloisonné swans symbolize love and const...

Signed and Dated 1961 USSR From our Boxes collection, we are delighted to offer this unusual Russian Papier Mache Box. The box of slim rectangula...

Meiji Period Imari Gourd-Shaped Box with Moth Handle, by Fukagawa  Japan, circa 1900s Fukagawa Porcelain, Established in 1894 A rare and exquisite Meiji Period Imari Gourd-Shaped Bo...

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...

Contemporary Indian grey and cream stripe lidded bone box. Part of a large collection of bone boxes and trays.

PRESENTING A GORGEOUS 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Sadeli Mosaic Sarcophagus Sewing Box. Made in Bombay, India circa 1860-80. Box made of sandalwood with highly carved teak wood reliefs and panels on all sides. Edged with bone and ebony veneers and glorious sadeli mosaic, made from tiny pieces of faux ivory, pewter, green semi-precious stone. The box is in a sarcophagus form with domed lid. The original brass carry handles are on the sides. The interior is in great condition and consists of a removeable mirror under the lid portion, with the original red velvet lining behind it. The base is removeable and contains a number of lidded compartments. 6 of the interior lids on the base, are each inlaid with sadeli mosaic banding. The rest are also carved and chased. The interior is fully complete with 7 lidded faux ivory/bone, thread canisters with sadeli domes and the original bone thimble. The box sits on 4 brass ball or bun feet with the original velvet lining on the base. Some minor repairs and losses, but this box is fully complete. This is ‘rare’ as many of these boxes have not survived in such condition! Included in the sale are 2 photos that were in the box (under the base tray). Interestingly, one of them is a view of downtown Nassau, New Providence (Bermuda) from the early 20C and stamped on the rear. What a ‘journey’ this piece has made! Made in India … travelled to Bermuda, probably via Britain … back to Ireland (where we bought it) …. then to Texas! 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! Of it’s type, this one, is one of the very higher quality one’s, than the norm! 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...

Circa 1860 domed top pigskin leather scroll case box, Chinese. Gilt frontice & side panel designs with handsome brass fittings. Deep red, the top rubbed away to burnt orange. Qing Dy...

An antique Chinese Qing Dynasty period dark red lacquer wooden wedding chest from the 19th century with unusual shape, hand-painted floral décor and brass hardware. Created in China ...

A lovely round papier mâché box that has been hand painted with a gold oak leaf design. The top has a finial. The interior and bottom are black. Circa 1960s, Kashmir, India.  

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...

Very fine 18th century Indian Macassar Ebony traveling writing box with Tutenag metal hardware, the vividly grained case with rare alloy trim, the rectangular form opening to make a ...

A fine Indonesian Ambonya burl, ebony and teak casket with silver mounts Jakarta (Batavia), circa 1706 (year letter W (1705-1710), marked DV, probably Dirck Vooght The outer ri...

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,...

A very fine Meiji period cloisonné box and cover with butterflies amongst foliage, attributed to Kawade Shibataro, the cover and sides finely worked with silver wire and coloured ena...

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

Contemporary Indian braided ivory bone box. Also available in larger size (S6630 ). Part of a large collection of bone boxes and trays.

An attractive antique Burmese cylindrical orange and black lacquered bamboo betel box, kun-it, with interior tray, early 20th century, circa 1910, Burma (Myanmar). The visually str...

This box is wonderful. Colors are great orange, green, and gold. From Kashmir, India circa 1915 maybe earlier.

Chinese red and black lacquered box with fine brass mounts in the Chinese Export style. Lovely color. A refined and classic decorative box, beautiful craftsmanship. 16 inches wide, ...

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.

Paw Jar is a delightful object from the Forest collection. It has intricate brass and resin inlay in blue and pink, with an endearing leafy lid. For his debut creations, Marcanton...

Designed exclusively by Urban Art, offered is a decorative box comprised of a black python exterior and embellished with sterling silver hardware and an Afghani silver and Lapis Lazu...

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...

Turn of the century wooden Kashmir box. Hand painted with a striking black bird in the center surrounded by red and black accented leaves.

Asian antique Beaten Brass Betel Nut Pandan Box, Northern India. Beautiful antique hand hammered Asian round brass betel with a lid and delicate engravings with floral design handle hand crafted by skilled artisans from Northern India. Indian Beaten Copper Betel Nut Pandan Box with hand hammered beaten floral and incised decoration used to store betel leaf, lime, tobacco and the nut from the areca palm. This mixture of ingredients when prepared and placed in the mouth for long periods gives the user a mild aphrodisiac effect. The preparation of the betel nut with lime stored in ornate boxes with several smaller internal containers was popular all over Asia and is still a common practice in Myanmar and India and among the hill tribes of many S. E. Asian countries. Engraved with intricate designs on the lid which has a carved floral design handle and a latch in front for opening or closing the box and for safekeeping. Nicely hand-hammered with intricate details. Please check photo #5, there is about 1 inch damage area on the side of the box. Museum quality Asian Hand-hammered decorative Islamic brass folk art metalwork collector treasure box. Measures: Diameter 7 in. x Height 4 in. The box has a rich, deep brown patina. Quality of Mughal style. A pandan was used to store the pan, or betel quid after it had been stuffed and rolled ready to eat, rather than for the individual ingredients. The chewing of betel is an ancient Asian tradition comparable to tobacco in the western world. Betel consists of three main ingredients: the areca nut, betel leaf and lime paste. Betel was, and still is enormously popular throughout Asia and plays a major role in the entertaining of guests, in courtship and marriage, and in the traditional etiquette of the royal courts, where it often forms part of the state regalia.[1] Research on several pandan boxes has been published by Zebrowski.[2] Brownrigg, H. Betel Cutters...

19th Century Japanese inro with 3 lacquered wooden compartments, 63 x 70 x 22 mm in size. Weight 39.1 g. Additional information: Material: Lacquered ...

A fine entirely handcrafted antique cigarette case with a gilded interior. Its front depicts a battle scene where the warriors, presumably Chine...

PRESENTING A GORGEOUS 19C Anglo Indian Rosewood Caddy with Silver Mounts. Really nice and unusual, 19th Century Anglo-Indian Spice or Tea Caddy, from cir...

Japan, Edo to Meiji period, decorated with morning glory and a bird in hiramaki-e.

Set of 4 vintage Indonesian nesting bowls, made of light wood that is painted black with gold decoration, jewelry or jewelry boxes, circa mid 20th century. These beautiful bowls are...

Lovely sewing kit made of hand painted rattan, the top is decorated artistically with floral raffia work. Inside include plastic try and nice upholstered storage compartment. Excep...

This box is in a brown color. It has been made in the 20th century, in China. It is hand carved, with character and landscapes, patterns.

Exotic Rose Wood keepsake, document box with a heay brass koi lock with red tasseled key. Box lined in paper with chinese characters.

Russian made 14ct gold and enamel cigar tube, circa 1900 - 1910, in red and white enamel with applied diamonds and ruby decoration. The piece is stamped with the work master's initia...

Contemporary Indian bone box with natural cream colored rectangular box design Also available in a smaller size ( S6530 ) as well as three sizes of tra...

🍵 Elevate Your Storage: Set of 3 Japanese Natsume Tea Caddies! 🍵 Enhance your storage solutions with a touch of elegance and functionality with our wonderful set of three hard pla...

A rare and exceptional finely painted vintage Imperial Russian lacquerware box. Exquisitely hand-crafted in the Palekhsky District (Палех) of wes...

Chinese Huanghuali wood box decorated with bronze mountings and motifs of bats, fish and moths. The top features a classic Chinese medallion mounted to the centre of the lid. In un...

An European Chinese export "Canton enamel" oval box, 18th century Qianlong, (1736-1795) An enamel box with floral decor made for the export for Euro...

Vintage 1950's Agra Indian Shell and Black Marble Box with The Taj Mahal Inlays.Onyx Black Marble Box with Pietra Dura Intricate Abalone Inlay of the Taj Mahal.Fine Quality Shell Inlaid Taj Mahal Box.Black marble trinket box with an inlaid image of the Taj Mahal. This unusual piece has the details drawn on the white shell in black ink, giving it the appearance of a micro mosaic. The surface catches the light and shows some iridescence at different angles.The Anglo Indian style box is lined with black velvet.A Very fine intricate work of Islamic Art.From Agra, India. Circa 1950's.Great gift to express your Love.From a Private Estate Encino Collection. DIMENSIONS: Height: 1.75 in.Width: 3.75 in.Depth: 2.75 in.About the Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal is a world-renowned monument located in Agra, India. It is considered one of the most iconic examples of Mughal architecture and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here's some information about the Taj Mahal: 1) History: The Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century as a mausoleum for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and was completed in 1653. 2) Architecture: The Taj Mahal combines elements of Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish, and Indian architectural styles. It is primarily made of white marble, with intricate inlay work using semi-precious stones. The central structure is a large dome surrounded by four minarets at each corner. 3) Symbolism: The Taj Mahal is often regarded as a symbol of love. It was built as a testament to Emperor Shah Jahan's eternal love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The gardens and reflecting pool in front of the Taj Mahal add to its romantic ambiance. 4) Location: The Taj Mahal is situated on the right bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. Agra is located approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) southeast of India's capital, New Delhi. 5) Visitors: The Taj Mahal attracts millions of visitors from around the world each year. It is open to the public, except on Fridays when it is reserved for Islamic prayers...

An exceptional antique Chinese gold and black lacquer games box raised on four paw feet with a domed lift off cover decorated with figural landscape panels in gilded lacquer colours on a black ground. The cover lifts off to reveal five lidded removable counter boxes...

A Taisho period cloisonné box and cover with a watermill and Mount Fuji, worked in wire and coloured musen(wireless) enamels with a watermill beneath an imposing view of Mount Fuji, ...

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

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely, super decorative antique Islamic Anglo Indian Sadeli Micro Mosaic Card Case A wonderfully orig...

Large wooden box No. 11 with brass fittings for the transport of silver objects from Olga Nikolajewna Romanova's dowry 1822–1892 for marriage to the ...

Rare 19th Century Kashmir Hand Painted Inkwell and Boxes Set A highly decorative and rare example of a late 19th Century hand painted Kashmir inkwell and boxes set. Size: (inkwel...

Fabulous Indian box made of bone and pierced brass with a wood bottom.A very nice design. Turn of the century, India.

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...

A Meiji period cloisonné box and cover with sparrows, prunus and bamboo, the rectangular box worked in gold and silver wire and coloured enamels with birds amongst a blossoming tree ...

A Meiji period moriage cloisonné box and cover with two carp, the rectangular box worked in coloured enamels in standard, moriage (raised) and musen (wireless) cloisonné with one gre...

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

With all-over mother of pearl inlay and mon design of chrysanthemum in gold and black lacquer on top. The chrysanthemum is a national symbol of Japan and the Imperial family.