British Boxes

This is an antique butler's silver carry tray. An English, mahogany newspaper rack or work box, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Attr...

A good antique English mahogany writing slope dating from the Victorian period, circa 1860. The rectangular case is beautifully figured and strengthened with brass straps and corner ...

A Staffordshire Enamels Old Hall trinket box, England, circa 1980s. A hand-enameled Clover and Butterfly design on a pink base with copper framing. A Butterfly appears on the interi...

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...

Large size English Regency mahogany travelling sloped lap desk/ box with original brass corner mounts, hinges, pin, top mount and retractable handles. Features include a side drawer,...

20th Century English solid silver cigar box of rectangular form, finely engraved with linear detailing throughout. A rose gold band frames the edges, while the lid is adorned with a ...

A stunning tall vanity / dressing table jar, probably used for either hatpins or a toothbrush, hence the little cork lining to the interior of the base. The glass is channel cut...

A rectangular walnut veneer case with brass inlaid name plate and escutcheon to the front. The hinged lid opens to a simple interior.

English silver horse racing snuff box, Birmingham 1829 A silver snuff box with a scene from horse racing on top of the hinged lidded box. On the sides a guilocche pattern and inside...

This is an antique Victorian Coromandel scent bottle box of domed form with elaborate decorative brass mounts with inset attractive Pietra Dura cabochons, circa 1860 in date. The domed lid reveals three cut glass bottles with stoppers. The box has a working lock with key. Provenance: The Dr. Lawrie Webster Collection of Boxes...

A work of extraordinary craftsmanship, this exquisite English vanity case is as much an item of luxury as it is of necessity. Known as a nécessaire de voyage...

A handsome and very stylish biscuit box dating to circa 1890 by the top notch silversmith, John Grinsell & Sons of Sheffield. Made from solid English oak, the box is fitted with e...

Elegant Art Deco Sterling Silver Engraved Cigarette Case By Renowned British SilverSmiths Harman Bros. Birmingham 1931. Weight 129grams Hallma...

This is an antique office storage pot. An English, Moroccan leather dressed desktop stationery tin, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Tactile leather craft...

Very nice Antique solid mahogany jewelry box, comes with a Blue Velvet interior . and a Mirror in the lid of the box . Ideal for your watches . Good condition .

Scottish Mauchline Ware From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this rare Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of rectangular form extensively decorated with a repeating pinstripe pattern throughout the entire exterior of the Tea Caddy upon a Sycamore carcass. The decoration features a striped effect with alternating classical scrollwork, linked chain and pin striped vertical line transfers in shades of gold, green and red. A shield-shaped escutcheon finishes the exterior of the Caddy. When opened the Tea Caddy reveals a single Caddy compartment with traces of the original foil lining and the Caddy the original full length wooden Cumnock Hinge. The Tea Caddy dates to the late Georgian Period during the reign of George IV Circa 1830. The Tea Caddy is a rare example of early Mauchline Ware especially because of the Type of decoration used and extremely good condition, a superb addition to any collection. We firmly attribute the Tea Caddy to renowned Scottish Mauchline Ware makers Smiths from the extremely close similarities between this Caddy and a previous one in our archives signed by Smiths. The Tea Caddy comes complete with working lock and tasselled key. Mauchline Ware was the production of Scottish white-wood products, it was mainly manufactured from the 1820s until 1939. The production of souvenir woodware for the tourist market began in the 1790s with the snuff box industry in Ayrshire. By 1820, Mauchline ware was well established, supplying souvenirs from wood grown ‘on the Field of Bannockburn’, ‘on the Abbey Craig’, ‘on the slopes of Stirling Castle’ and made into sewing requisites, egg cups, trinket boxes and many other kinds of souvenirs, transfer printed with a line drawing of the place. The firm Smith’s who regarded as the the leading and most renowned manufacturer of Mauchline War among a few lesser known and shorter lived companies. They ranged from the basic transfer as on small vases to boxes and smaller household accessories...

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 ...

Charming Brass Spice Box by Jones Bros, England, Early 1900s A beautifully patinated and functional brass spice box with interior compartments in zi...

Antique 20th Century crocodile leather overnight vanity travel case. This case features a leather carrying strap on the lid along with a locking mechanism on the front. The inside is...

Scottish silver mounted tiger cowary shell snuff box, 1817. The hinged lid is inscribed with "W. Legget Stock Bridge 1817," surrounded a laurel wreath,...

An English Regency wine cellarette circa 1820 in rosewood with inlaid brass monogram "CH" and tree symbol, with inset brass handles on the sides, the interior fitted with partitions....

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...

English, mid 18th century. A great neoclassical example of an English community tobacco keeper. These traditional boxes are made of lead and design...

English walnut and brass dome-top box with Mother-of-Pearl, ca. 1860. With 6 sewing tools, 4 have mother of pearl handles, 7 pieces of circular fabric sam...

England, circa 1950 A mid-twentieth century olive wood treen tea caddy in the form of an apple. Height 14.00cm Diameter 12.00cm

A sophisticated pair of “Original” two-wheel trolley suitcases by Globe-Trotter (English, founded 1897), celebrated for its timeless craftsmanship and association with luxury travel....

ARTHUR JOHN SEWARD (Attributed) - Antique Arts & Crafts brass box with riveted construction and hinged lid - the lid extends beyond the edges of the box (typical of Seward's work) - ...

An Antique 20th Century London Tan Crocodile jewel box with lift tray opening, circa 1920 Beautifully matched crocodile skins have been used on this jewel box both the exterior and ...

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...

Here is this English silver plate art deco style round shape covered cigarette / tobacco box, a must have accessory for the discerning aficionado. This exquisite box seamlessly com...

Awarded at Fernhill 18th August 1843 From our Tea Caddy collection, we are thrilled to offer this Ebonised Tea Chest given as a Royal Prize is 1843. The Tea Chest of rectangular for...

A Handmade Victorian Burr Walnut & Inlay Tea Caddy With Brass Hinges A tea caddy is a box, jar, canister, or other receptacle used to store tea. When first introduced to Europe from Asia, tea was extremely expensive, and kept under lock and key. The containers used were often expensive and decorative, to fit in with the rest of a drawing-room or other reception room. Hot water was carried up from the kitchen, and the tea made...

Charming Art Deco bronze Scottie or Airedale terrier on marble ashtray or jewelry tray from the 1930's. Very versatile piece that would look great as a display piece on a vanity or c...

Offered for sale is a risque Art Deco Sterling Silver Cigarette Case, often referred to as a "naughty" because of it's bawdy subject matter; that being; of ...

An antique 18th century Bilston or Battersea enamel muffineer or sugar shaker. A very rare form! With a pierced, domed top, raised gold decoration, and cartouches of floral spr...

A fine novelty fruitwood tea caddy in the form of an apple. lathe turned and with a soft honey patina, restoration to the lid at the hinge. England...

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...

Fine George III mahogany miniature chest of drawers having string inlay and cross banded top, the drawers with original axe-head pulls retaining traces of fire gilding, standing on s...

English Oak campaign chest on stand with hinged top, original brass mounts and side handles, baise lined interior, and resting on stand with br...

The hinged rectangular top with three oval Signed Wedgwood plaques depicting putti at various pursuits within oval paterae mounted swagged and beaded borders, opening to a morocco leather lined hinged slope enclosing a well, the upper section fitted with candlesticks and compartmentalized for inkwells, above a hinged lid the front with a spring loaded secret drawer opening to a needle or pincushion and spools of thread. This unusual work box, mounted with blue and white jasperware signed Wedgwood plaques, is English in conception. The writing box was a popular form first used in the 18th c and well into the 19th c for traveling. This type of portable desk was described by the English poet William Cowper in 1785 as 'the most elegant, the compactest, the most commodious desk in the world.' Additionally, the jasperware plaques, came from Josiah Wedgwood's factory in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. Its proximity to the steel manufacturing city of Birmingham, the birthplace of Matthew Boulton, producer of decorative metalwork (including cut steel mounts) and described by his friend and fellow-industrialist, Josiah Wedgwood, as 'the first Manufacturer in England', certainly suggests an English origin and possibly his handwork. However, the polished steel mounts are also typical of furniture and objects made in Tula, Russia, where the Imperial Arms Factory was founded by Peter the Great in the early 18th c and which later became known for its decorative objects, including furniture and domestic pieces. Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, ordered the 'Frog Service...

This is an antique pokerwork stationery box. An English, beech and tulipwood desktop tidy in Arts & Crafts taste, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Charmingly hand f...

A finely crafted travel desk by a noted British maker of boxes. The campaign style box has shaped brass corners, tabs, a lid plaque, center front escutcheon, and classic encased side...

An 18th Century Large South Staffordshire Table Snuff Box, painted with figures and animals by classical ruins on a riverscape. 8.25" wide x 5.5" depth x 3.25" high

Antique 19th Century Victorian solid silver cigar box. Elegantly crafted, this box features a shaped central handle and two hinged lids that open to reveal a divided compartment. The...

A charming antique 19th century British pine document box with iron handles, monogrammed L.B. Elliott on a brass plaque on the top. Handcrafted with solid dovetail construction and a...

A black lacquered box with inlay decorations.

Mid Victorian Burr Walnut Jewellery Box/Collectors Cabinet with 4 Drawers behind Mirrored Doors on Plinth Base - 11"w x 9"d x 17"h

An English miniature cabinet from the 19th century with scrollwork inlay, glass doors and multiple inner drawers. This English miniature cabinet from the 19th century is an exquisite...

Rare Engine Turned Design The Sewing Box of slight sarcophagus shape stood upon four turned ribbed feet. The Sewing Box tapers up to the convex raised lid and features scrolling fl...

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 ...

A Rare Partridgewood, Late 18th Century Georgian Tea Caddy, Of Octagonal Form Having Attractive Inlaid Decoration And Hinged Lid Enclosing Two Lidded Divisions. Partridge wood is a...

Rectangular Art Deco bone trimmed amboyna burl cigarette box, Trimmed in bone on all edges as well as the surfaces of the opening the amboyna extends to all sides including the botto...

English military leather chest with original brass mounts, braided tacks, and brass side handles. All original. Early 19th Century

From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Georgian octagonal Inlaid Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of octagonal form veneered in Harewood with inlaid twin Tuscan Columns ...

Scottish Regency mahogany hinged cellarette with foliage cartouche, gadrooned molded edge, original brass circular side handles, lead lined interior with stopper, and resting on carved foliage scrolled triangular feet...

Good mid 19th Century turned wall mounted salt box, fashioned with alternating bands of sycamore and mahogany and having good crisp turned details and an exceptional patinated surfac...

A stunning vintage Studio Pottery stoneware lidded box applied with an arrangement of irregular cut shapes decorated in blue, brown and cream colored glazes on a light mottled creame...

Unusual 19th century letter box with whimsical ink decoration inside and out, signed and dated 1890. With wonderfully naive ink decoration, inc...

Early 20th century Edwardian mahogany inlaid wine cooler, circa 1905. Sheraton revival wine cooler cellarette. Top with oval stringing and inlaid ebony. Lid opens to reveal compartm...

Fine quality circa 1790 Georgian letter box, with three compartment fitted interior (see image). Exterior has original double brass hinged slope top with serpentine shaped front, and...