British Boxes

Georgian (George III) Period, sterling silver-mounted (unmarked, but tested) ram's horn snuff mull, having a hinged lid, Scotland, Ca. 1795. Measures 1 1/2 inches diameter at widest ...

Rare heart shaped inkwell designed by Christopher Dresser made by Mintons. Impressed markings OO / MINTON / 15 Pink version on line... Old Christies East labels

Domed tops with gilt bronze pineapple finials. Top lifts to expose cutlery storage slots. Concave ebonized bases. Similar example with marquetry M.Tomlin , Catalog of Adam Period Fur...

Green tortoiseshell tea caddy from England. With two interior covers raised on four silver ball feet. Circa 1870.

Very rare and hard to find in this complete condition with as many pieces (over 35), this "Gentleman's Necessaire", or campaign "Dressing Table Box" is English and circa 1795 as per the style, and confirmed by the 18th century silver marks on items enclosed. Campaign furniture, and accessories were made to tend to the day to day needs of those traveling, most often for the upper class, the military, and those in high socioeconomic standing. A very similar Campaign box belonging to the Duke of Wellington and now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, appears on page 141 (illustration #157 of "British Campaign Furniture" published in 2001 by Nicholas A. Brawer; the leading recognized historian on the subject. The furniture and accessories were designed to be easily unpacked and packed back up again, condensed and compact for minimum storage, and still fulfill luxury "needs" for the well to do. The flush inserted brass handles on this box were designed to minimize protrusions for easier transport when traveling. The necessaire contains a plethora of instruments, utensils, storage bottles, boxes, to contain pills, medicine, potions, soap, shaving needs, snuff, beverages, spirits, tea, coffee, fragrance, incense, toothpaste, ink, and anything else necessary or wanted to maintain appearance and the "Beau Brummell" type lifestyle desired by the aristocratic gentleman. These items were housed in; screw top miniature bone canisters, fine cut glass crystal vessels with silver and silver plated tops, multiple miniature vertical wooden pocket drawers, a carved wooden lidded soap dish; all "fitted" in a beautiful brass bound and hinged mahogany box. The dressing box is neatly divided into various sections to store these implements. The center front bottom drawer is independently accessed and opened by a key lock and likely utilized for personal effects, jewelry, money, and letter writing, and diary entries.; note the fitted interior, design, "cubbies", and sections (see image). NOTE: It would be advisable to NOT use the key to lock this drawer just in case it stays locked and does not reverse, thereby creating difficulty reopening the drawer. The box maintains it's original surface and there are no restorations to any of the wood or brass mounts. A non discernible script monogram on a brass plate adorns the top (see image). Worth noting is the copious provenance accompanying this piece; the original description tag from the British antiques dealer; the "condfdential" letter by purchaser to recipient "Horace" reviewing the Dressing Box attributes and description; and finally, the Customs form for entry into the United States with Santa Barbara it's ultimate destination and a valuation of 3 pounds; less than ten dollars at that time---- 1950!!!!! (see images). Dimensions: 11" wide  x 8 3/4" deep  x 5 1/2" high Contents: implements in red bag sewing hook with shell handle second smaller sewing hook with built in swivel tool to bone handle large metal tweezers rectangular bone device with center hole small hook with bone handle silver plate corkscrew...

Late Victorian carved wood oval box. Stupendous antique oval desk box, created in England during the late Victorian period, circa 1880. The beautifu...

19th century English dresser box made from exquisitely grained rosewood. The box has wonderfully inlaid patterns on the top and front in...

A stunning very fine quality antique English stationary box in striking exotic hardwood coromandel / madagascar ebony. circa 1880 Exquisitely hand-crafted in England in the 19th cen...

This is an antique dressing table sewing set. An English, ebony lidded pot and haberdashery accessories, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Striking ebony set exudes ...

This is an antique travelling vanity case. An English, coromandel jewellery box, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Striking...

20th century sterling silver handbag-shaped box Beautiful decorative silver box, with a central design of a rose and a frame of bows on both sides. Sealed Measures: Height: 7.5 centi...

An Early 19th Century, George III Period, Burr Yew Wood Tea Caddy Of Octagonal Form, Having Superbly Figured Veneers And Attractive Strung Decoration Throughout, The Hinged Lid Enc...

An elegant small folding card case likely English, finely constructed in richly patinated tortoiseshell panels and decorated to the exterior with an inlaid floral spray composed of ...

19th century marquetry fruitwood desktop box circa 1890. Good quality desktop box covered with marquetry on all surfaces. Sloped front with decorative star panel.  Top opens to reve...

Rare Arts & Crafts English pewter biscuit box produced by Liberty & Co., London, from the celebrated Tudric line, circa 1902. This rectangular form features a domed lid, geometric ha...

A lacquered wooden humidor richly decorated in the revived Chinoiserie manner, its exterior finished in deep black japanning and finely painted with gilt rocaille scrollwork framing ...

English tortoiseshell box. Ovoid shaped lidded snuffbox with integral handle of richly patterned tortoiseshell, England, circa 1900. Dimensions: 3.5...

A Georgian Tunbridge Ware sewing box dating to circa 1840. The rectangular rosewood box is extensively decorated with geometric Tunbridge Ware mosaic inlay across the exterior and st...

"The inscription reads "CASPREY. 166. NEW BOND ST & 22. ALBEMARLE. ST." This refers to Asprey, a British luxury goods retailer, and its former store locations in London. 166 New Bond...

A Regency leather jewelry, work and writing casket, the hinged lid enclosing a partitioned compartment, the moulded doors enclosing four drawers with faux book spine fronts, the low...

A very fine 19th Century walnut ladies travelling case. This fabulous item is superbly hand carved with beautifully rich patination, grain and of exceptional quality with finely cas...

The Faulkbourne hall cased tea caddies. An important and very unusual pair of George III tea caddies made in London in 1793 by William Frisbee, all contained within a contemporary velvet and silk lined satinwood case. The hinges and handle also hallmarked for 1793. The pair of tea caddies are of an unusual oval form with upwardly curved rim. The sides are beautifully engraved with an upper and lower band of bright cut scrolls and foliate motifs on a scratch engraved and prick dot ground. Each side is engraved with an unusual bright cut cartouche with incuse corners. One cartouche is vacant and the other is engraved with a contemporary Scottish Crest with the motto "Nil Conscrire Sibi - Consious of no Wrong " above. The curved, slightly domed, cover is engraved with an outer band identical to those shown on the sides and terminates in a Neo Classical urn finial, also engraved with bright cut designs. The caddies are most unusual as they open from the side, not in the usual manner from the front. The caddies are each in excellent condition and are fully marked in the foot and with the maker's mark and sterling mark on the cover. The pair of caddies are contained within a most breathtaking satinwood case with hallmarked hinges and escutcheon shaped handle and reeded oval mounts. It is most unusual to find fully hallmarked hinges, and handle, which accurately date the case, as the same date as the caddies. The interior is lined with the original silk, velvet and gold braid. The Crest and Motto are those of Lieut-Col Jonathan Bullock of Faulkbourne Hall, County Essex. He was M.P. for Essex in many parliaments and, in 1763, married Miss Elizabeth Lante. He died without issue in 1809 and his estates devolved upon his nephew Jonathan Joshua Christopher Watson who, in 1810, assumed the surname and Arms of Bullock by Royal Licence. The Bullock family were descended from Robert Bullock of Herburghfield, County Berkshire. He was Sheriff of County Berks and Oxford under Richard II. He died in 1405. Faulkbourne Hall is a Grade 1 listed Manor House in the village of Faulkbourne in Essex, the manor being first mentioned under Edward the Confessor. The earliest surviving parts of the Hall, a red brick building with turrets, date from the 15th century. Sir Edward Bullock, Knight, purchased the Hall and Manor of Faulkbourne in 1637. The hall is considered a fine specimen of early Tudor red...

Papier mâché circa 1870 English inlaid lacquered sewing box/jewelry box, with many Velvet and mother-of-pearl compartments, hidden area in center. Hand-carved mother-of-pearl, inlaid...

A folk-art matchstick money box, possibly prisoner-of-war, 20th century, modelled as a clock tower with arched front door and windows and a castellate...

George III octagonal mahogany and boxwood inlaid box with unusual Price of Wales feather inlay, the edges strung in boxwood or holly, retaining pleasing old finish and original lock,...

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

A Very Good Quality 18th century, Georgian Mahogany Rectangular Tea Caddy, Having Original Brass Handle To Hinged Top, Enclosing Divisions, With Unusual Glazed Panels To Front Bearin...

A circa 1930's English engraved bone box with landscapes. Measurements: Height: 6" Width: 12.5" Depth: 8.5"

A Stunning Regency Era Rosewood Hand-Crafted Writing Slope. With Purple Velvet Interior, Secret Compartments. Befit With The Original Brass Topped Square Glass Inkwells. Decorated ...

A Very Substantial Decorative French Polished Well Grained Dark Santos Mahogany and Boxwood Folding Chess Set of outstanding quality, good weight and s...

Brass bound and inlaid burled walnut travel desk of large size and with double hinges. The first section lifts to a vertical position with document storage in the lid, the second sec...

A 19th c. English doghouse for a small dog in the form of a Georgian townhouse in lovely original faded ochre paint with a pitched gable roof with two chimneys with double chimney pots. Great painted detail including 12 over 12 double hung sash windows with stone headers, elliptical fanlight overdoor window and grand arched door frame.

Here we have an impressive antique Regency (1811-1820) Mahogany & Rosewood Brass inlaid campaign writing slope box with a side drawer and multiple hidden internal compartments and dr...

19th century miniature mahogany chest of drawers from England. This was most likely a very fine salesman's sample. In the 18th and 19th centuries, craftsmen would carry these small...

Veneered in Amboyna Wood From our Sewing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Amboyna Sewing Box. The Sewing Box of rectangular shape veneered in Amboyna with a circular mo...

A Victorian dresser box. Beautiful decoration.

Antique George III quality figured mahogany serpentine shaped storage box having a quality serpentine shaped figured mahogany lift up top with pretty satinwood stringing inlay openin...

An attractive and well figured, late 18th century Square rosewood tea caddy having boxwood Stringing and key escutcheon with original brass Hinges to...

18th Century Pink Battersea-Bilston Mourning Box, Ex-Collection of H.R.H. Princess Royal Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood (1897–1965) ...

This is an antique loose tea caddy. An English, mahogany and velvet dual compartment case, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820. Beautiful Regency craftsmanship with a superb v...

Rare and Unusual Scottish Silver Mounted Snuff Box With Attached Spoon By Andrew Wilkie c1838/39. The initials on the silver mounts on the horn base match the initials on the attache...

A good antique English, Charles II (Carolean) period carved oak bible or document box, circa 1680. Such boxes were particularly popular in the 17th century, when printed bibles were very expensive and a treasured family possession. The bible was most likely the only book owned by a family and was also the means of recording births, deaths & marriages which would be written on the flyleaf or endpapers. They were also used to protect other important documents and valuables and were brought to colonial America by early settlers. This bible box dates shortly after the English Civil War & the brief time that England was a Republic (known then as the Commonwealth) under Oliver Cromwell. The box typifies those Puritan values, simple six plank construction with a hinged lid enclosing a storage area for a bible or important documents. The front of the box having a carved foliate twin lunette design with a hand cut steel lock & hasp above, the box is robust & solid & for it's 350 or so years it is in very good condition! This very early antique carved bible box...

An attractive antique Georgian era sterling silver snuff box. It has an ergonomic design which easily slips into the pocket it is a bowed shape and has a squeeze / push action closu...

Fine antique Regency inlaid brass rosewood tea caddy having a spectacular inlaid brass top and carved moulded rosewood edge, lift up lid opening to reveal a fitted interior with the ...

Early 18th century George I Japanned Chinoiserie dome-topped box, Circa 1715-1725. England or France. A rare survivor from the first quarter of the ...

Antique Regency burr elm tea caddy having a sarcophagus shaped lip which lifts to reveal two lidded compartments with original turned knobs, standing on small bun feet. The colour ...

George V sterling silver playing card box. Made by S. Blanckensee & Son Ltd in Birmingham in 1923. Pillar on raised and spread base; cover hinged and tabbed with gently curved to...

19th century English tortoiseshell hinged box with silver decorations.

This is an antique poodle tobacco jar. An English, fruitwood dog-shaped treen, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Fascinating treen ware, wit...

Hallmarked in London in 1867 by Edward Charles Brown this ornate Victorian antique sterling silver biscuit box is of a cylindrical form with a hinged, domed lid and is supported on a...

English Regency Penwork Tea Caddy. This charming Regency period caddy features an all-over hand-decorated penwork design. The exterior is adorned with ...

An absolutely charming Regency sewing box in the form of a basket with it's original bentwood folding swing handle. The domed top features a figu...

A Superb Example of an English Georgian Period Well figured Coromandle Double Interior Section Tea Caddy of flat rectangular outline, generous proportions and outstanding quality, al...

A highly collectable heavy, solid sterling silver box signed on the underside by the famed London silversmith and Jeweller, Theo Fennel. The box is hand crafted in the form of a tru...

A Sterling Silver Hallmarked Engine Turned Cigarette Presentation Box With A Textured Border, by Asprey & Co London. Within an original Asprey & Co fitted case. Weight of sil...

Nathaniel Mills. A very rare Castle Top Vinaigrette depicting a scarce view of Warwick Castle from the River Avon. Made in Birmingham in 1847 by Nathaniel M...

This is a small antique tobacco tin. An English, copper and silver plate lidded box, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Pleasingly time ...

Regency “Brighton Pavilion” Tea Caddy or Tobacco Box England, circa 1820–1830 5.5" H × 5" W × 3.5" D Cast in lead or pewter with remnants of original polychrome decoration in turquo...

A handsome piece of early Tunbridge Ware dating to around 1835, William IV in era. Made from wood this small stationery box is decorated with intricate Tunbridge Stickware inlay. The interior has been professionally re-lined in a handsome hand-marbled paper; the size of the interior would suit...

Charming early 19th century box decorated in faux tortoise shell and having zig zag patterned string inlay, the interior with fitted tray for use as a jewelry or work box and retaini...