Asian Boxes

19th century metamorphic camphor writing slope circa 1890. Here we have a fine quality campaign tambour table top desk made in camphor wood. Many features to this brass bound desk....

A stunning antique Qing Dynasty Chinese export twin canister tea caddy / decorative table box. circa 1860 Hand-crafted in China for the European market when rare and exotic oriental...

Vintage lidded box crafted in steer horn elements with metal spacers and having a carved penshell handle and feet.

Antique Anglo Indian pair of tea caddies with silvered metal tops having elephant handles over coconut bowls above carved ebony elephants with bone tusk...

A petite 19th century canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. A keepsake from a bygone era, the small box is formed of brass and provided an airtight s...

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 scarce fine quality antique silver-inlaid solid brass betel nut box (Lutuan), dating to the second half of the 19th / early 20th century, hand-crafted in Mindanao, Philippines. Boxes such as this were used to store the areca nut (also known as the betel nut) which would be wrapped in a betel leaf with lime paste and other ingredients, often tobacco, for chewing. Similar to the European tea caddy, these boxes often served as a way to impress while showing off ones wealth. Betel chewing was prevalent in the southern Philippines as in much of the rest of Southeast Asia. Wealthier Maranao families on Mindanao were able to afford elaborate silver-inlaid brass betel boxes such as this example. Such boxes were used to show off to guests and from which they were offered betel and the other component such as leaves and lime to make up the betel quid. Rare large size, most extant examples of such boxes tend to measure around 5 inches in length. At slightly more than 7.75 inches the example here is larger than most. The distinctive decorative box features a very heavy strong-box like rectangular shaped chest form with canted corners, copper handles, and a conforming hinged lid, lifting open to reveal an interior divided into three compartments covered by four hinged lids. Each of these doors is inlaid with silver in stylized orchid flower patterns. Exceptionally executed throughout, the arabesque silver inlaid exterior is decorated to the top with a large orchid motif within scrolling obid-obid (stylized rope) borders. The front, back and sides are inlaid with sets of stylized tail feathers of the sari-manok bird beneath which are unusual, highly stylized whimsical zoomorphic faces that appear like cat or tiger faces. (Such stylisation is accounted for by Southeast Asian Islamic preferences to avoid the overt and this potentially idolatrous representation of animal and human forms. Designs such as these are drawn from a local design repertoire that has its origins in wood carving. Although the spread of Islam in the Philippines began in the 14th century, mostly through the influence of Muslim merchants from the western Malay Archipelago, decorative arts in this design remain exceptionally rare. This lutuan represents a fine example of Islamic metalwork from the most eastern outreach of Islamic art and civilisation: Mindanao island being significantly further east than even China – artwork from Islamic Southeast Asia remains chronically under-represented in the world’s major collections of Islamic art. PROVENANCE / ACQUISITION Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, established 1983, Austin, Texas. References Brownrigg, H., Betel Cutters...

Rare Chinese opium smoker's kit, including a lacquered boiled cardboard pillow-box and a pipe showing signs of intensive use. The pipe fits perfectly inside the box. The curved shape...

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...

Very beautiful Japanese jewelry cabinet in Yosegi-zaiku marquetry composed of six drawers. The whole is inlaid with geometrically shaped pieces of wood and decorated with motifs resembling kamon...

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...

Small lacquered painted box, with floral decorations in yellow, red and green, it was made in China in the 19th century.

Hand-carved large wooden Anglo-Raj jewelry box. Early 20th century wood box richly decorated overall with arabesques and floral carving. Hinged lid shallow relief carving with interi...

Beautiful handcrafted antique tinned copper decorative octagonal betel box with with lid, handle and brass latch. The metal is delicately and int...

19th century Kashmiri Hand Painted Trinket Box A true work of art, this mid-19th century Kashmiri handcrafted trinket box is covered in beautiful detail. Including peacocks, birds, flowers, and foliage. The hand painted detail is raised from the box with gold gilded paint and vibrant colours. The box is hinged with its original key and painted orange inside, this example would likely have been owner by a wealthy individual considering the amount of detail and craftsmanship that has gone into creating it, A rare survivor. Size of inches approx.: H 4” x W 11.5” x D 4.5” Completely solid in structure and form, with natural wear, loss of surface detail, the paint has worn away over years with damage in areas and loss of detail, The key is present however the lock does not close. The House of...

A beautiful vintage Indian white marble box, circa 1940s, intricately inlaid with lapis, agate, and other semi-precious stones forming delicate floral vines and flowers across the surface. The craftsmanship reflects the long tradition of Indian pietra dura...

A rare, incredible and large antique Chinese carved mother of pearl mounted tea caddy with armorial for MacPherson and dating from circa...

This is a beautiful papier mâché, circular lacquered set of 2 cups, which we attribute to being made in Japan during the early 20th century, circa 1910. This is a very decoratives...

Beautiful blue Lapis Lazuli and Carrara marble stone jewelry box. Created from genuine blue Lapis Lazuli, this box is low in profile and rectangular in form. This lovely jewelry or trinket box features a lid that fits onto its base. Both of which are completely covered in this beautiful blue stone. The interior of the box's base and lid, are created using Carrara marble. The lid features stays, which retrofit into the base, and allow the top to hold to the base without sliding or moving. The exterior is flanked with the gorgeous richly hued blue lapis lazuli. How we would style it: This blue stone box...

Brulé means 'burnt' in French. Raw and delicate, the Brulé boxes evoke the idea of baked earth or ashes. There is a powerful energy in the details of decisio...

This set of three round boxes by R&Y Augousti is a stunning example of modern artistry blended with timeless luxury. The lids are adorned with rich black quartz, each piece showcasin...

This is a remarkable 19th century, Japanese lacquered sewing box with multiple compartments on the interior. The exterior is decorated in elaborate black and gilded motifs including...

A Japanese covered silvered and enamel kogo or box for incense. The box is enameled with polychrome images of grape vines with berries made in the Plique a Jour technique on burgundy...

Just in, this wonderful hand crafted Wood Pear Box by Maitland Smith. Large as it stands at about 15" H. Beautiful walnut color wood with a gilt metal stem. Very good vintage conditi...

Japanese Kobako Yosegi Zaiku marquetry roll-top box A Japanese Kobako box, small and very light box with a roll-top door. A box, designed with beautiful Yosegi Zaiku inlay work (marquetry). Made in the Hakone region Hakone-Yosegi-Zaiku is a type of traditional Japanese inlay...

Vintage South Asian / Kashmir hand painted papier mâché box with removeable lid - featuring a profuse floral pattern over the top and sides set against a black lacquer background - h...

VERY DECORATIVE VIZAGAPATAM BOX Vizagapatam, India, 19th Century. Rustic workmanship will only add to the decorative appeal of this Anglo-Indian footed domed casket in ebonized woo...

Presenting an absolutely fantastic 19C Anglo Ceylonese lap desk of museum quality. We can safely say that this is one of the finest lap desks we hav...

Small decorative Money Bank in the shape of a drum. It's made from silver plated metal and cobalt blue glass. You get access to its content by turning the lid. Manufactured by Viener...

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

A Qing Dynasty period Chinese old box from the 19th century with traditional etched brass hardware, metal banding, partially removable top and light patina. Im...

Huge Japanese red lacquerware gourd motif box, decorated in relief with Japanese gourds suspended from leafy branches and scrolling vines.

Antique Two Cylinder Shape Chinese Carved Gilt Lacquered Boxes with colors applied. There is a chip on the lid of the large one, please see the photos.  Size: 1. Large: 5.5" Dia x 5....

A charming early 20th century Chinese strongbox, crafted in rich rosewood and accented with intricate brass straps and decorative motifs. The top features a beautifully inlaid jade m...

This is a very stylish tessellated pen shell, bone and wood box most likely by Maitland Smith and made in the Philippines. This long, slender beauty measures 15 1/2" x 7 1/2" x 2.75"...

A striking vintage decorative box by Maitland-Smith, showcasing the brand’s signature use of exotic materials and refined craftsmanship. The surface features a bold harlequin pattern...

Antique Laotian silver betel boxes and lime container group Laotian silversmiths are renowned for their high quality workmanship Round silver boxes ...

A very rare and exquisite asian glass Chinese snuff bottle from the late Qing Dynasty. This exceptional snuff bottle bears a later Qianlong mark and is designed in the iconic famille...

108 years-old wooden small tansu (chest of drawers) with 4 drawers. Product of Taisho 5 (1916), written on the bottom together with maker's address & name. Finished with traditional Urushi lacquer. The original laquer remains well & gives a good wabi sabi touch. Each handles are partly covered with Boro (hand-woven, indigo dyed cotton cloth) - this is another wabi sabi element of this tansu. Smooth opening & closing operation for all drawers. drawer inner w 5.79 in / d 12.6 in / h 1.38 in, 1.69 in, 2.28 in, 2.64 in (from the top) actual item weight 5.95 lb (2.7 kg) Dear customer - feel free to inquire me for the shipping fee quote. The shipping fee showed in the page is automatically calculated by the system, I'm able to offer reasonable quote via Fedex. *** We're eco-friendly, organic-oriented vintage wood furniture...

Sweet little Chinese export brass box with beautiful floral etched designs, looks like peonies to me. With a lovely white jade top carved in fretwork with a vase framed by the flower...

Stunning Chinese mahogany jewelry box, perfect for storing your jewelry, small treasures, or simply as a decorative piece. It brings a unique charm to any room. Material: Mahogany, a...

AntiqueTibetan chest, beautifully aged painted leather with original iron hardware. Chest has a spacious wooden interior, offering a large amount of storage. Outside features polychrome painted dragons and Asian...

Nice little black lacquer box from Japan. It is made of black lacquered wood and decorated with flowers and foliage. The inside is covered with red velvet. It is ideal for storing je...

Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone Brass Jewelry/Dresser box, 1980’s. Original Measures 9” x 9” 4.5” tall

A rich and elegant Japanese export red ginbari cloisonne trinket box, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The attractive Japanese cloisonne box features a striking textured red ginbari...

🍵 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...

An 18th/19th Century Chinese cinnabar circular box with multiple cartouches of Families. This is a marvelous piece with very fine details on the main top panel of the box. The top pa...

This early 20th-century lock box is minimal and elegant, crafted of pine with dovetail corners and a brushed finish of burgundy lacquer. Unlike Chinese tabletop chests used for seals...

Handsome antique Korean trunk or chest with beautiful brass details and the auspicious Chinese characters for luck and longevity carved into the f...

A mahogany dressing table on stand, the hinged top opening to reveal a beveled mirror back, with bowed and square swing panels revealing a fitted interior, with a drawer below and a ...

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...

Beautiful Lacquered Wooden Box, Vietnam, 20th Century This exquisite lacquered wooden box from Vietnam, crafted in the 20th century, is a stunning example of traditional Vietnames...

Multiuse jewelry desk top box , circa 1960's made in Japan with faux leather finish and small brass handle, with red velvet insert .

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...

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 silver, gold and niello inlaid topographical snuffbox is a masterpiece of Russian silver. Almost owned by a wealthy 19th-century tradesman, this extraordinary creation shares a ...

A fine and unusual Japanese black lacquer and mother of pearl inlaid box, Momoyama Period, 16th century, Japan. The large box and cover featu...

Decorative Mughal Raj Vizagapatam Carved Veneered Bone Jewelry Rectangular shape Box. Vintage Asian lidded box crafted with bone finely engraved and hand painted in black with geometric Moorish designs. Delightful Anglo Indian footed box crafted with an intricate patterned polished bone inlay mosaic over a wood frame. Handmade in Vizagapatam, India, mid 20th century. Elegant intricate pattern. A true work of Islamic artwork...

Guilloché Enamel and Gilt-Silver Pill Box Bolin Produced 1882-1899 This Bolin pill box demonstrates the prestigious Russian house’s skill in guilloché enamel and silver work. The surface is adorned with off-white and pink enamel applied over a finely engine-turned ground. Its hinged lid opens to reveal a mirrored top interior. Complete with its original Bolin fitted case, the box is marked “Bolin” with an 88 zolotnik Moscow assay, dating it to the late 19th century. A rare and complete survival, it reflects the high-quality decorative work that established Bolin as a leading firm in Imperial Russia. The House of Bolin of St. Petersburg and Moscow served as jeweler to the Russian Imperial Court for over a century. Renowned for high-quality jewelry, silver and decorative objects, the firm exhibited internationally—including at the 1851 Great Exhibition—and became synonymous with refined craftsmanship for Russia’s aristocracy. Bolin’s silver...

Large bronze and green glass box, Russian, circa 1825.