18th Century and Earlier Boxes

PRESENTING AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE & IMPORTANT late 18C Anglo Indian Sadeli Mosaic Sarcophagus Sewing Box. VERY, VERY EARLY Sadeli Mosaic piece, which is what makes it all the more important! Made in the area of Bombay, India circa 1780-1800. The box is in a classic Regency Era Sarcophagus form, very reminiscent of an Egyptian/Summarian Coffins/Tombs. This form features regularly in Tea Caddies of that period and helps us identify this piece as, most definitely, late 18th Century. The box is flanked on either side by scroll shaped ends, with a raised platform on the lid. The box is completely covered in an early version of ‘Sadeli Mosaic’. It is edged/banded in faux ivory and ebony stringing. The box case is made of sandalwood. This box is a really EARLY example of this type of mosaic work. The craftsmen of the Bombay area became famous for their ‘sadeli mosaic’ work, through the 19th Century and most examples of boxes with this mosaic, date from the mid-19th Century up to the early 20th Century. As the surface of the early sadeli work, is quite rough/coarse to the touch, it was very difficult to maintain, as dusting with a cloth, would often ‘lift off’ some of the mosaic. Thus, very, very few pieces have survived fully intact. There is no disputing that this box has lived a ‘full life’, BUT, that is to be expected of most Sadeli Mosaic pieces from 1880 … let alone one, from 100 years earlier than that! It is remarkable that it has survived at all! If this were in better condition, it would be in a museum and/or would have a VERY LARGE price tag of multiples of our asking price! There has been quite a loss of mosaic and banding on the exterior, but the loss has been halted, by a gentle application of filler and clear lacquer. The interior of the box is SUPERB, it is ‘pretty much’ in ORIGINAL CONDITION! The mirror is the original and removeable. It is edged/banded with sadeli mosaic, bone and ebony. It has a removeable base tray with various lidded compartments. Original red velvet lining on the inside of the lid and under the tray. The tray has 3 Sadeli mosaic lidded compartments (1 large and 2 small). The ‘sadeli’ work on the lids, is exceptional and very well preserved, with only very minor losses. You can really see the quality of the original mosaic work on these! It has a removeable pin cushion, banded in bone and hand decorated and the original burgundy velvet. There are 4 bone lids for holding the 6 faux ivory thread spools, thimble, and hand decorated thread cannisters. There is 1 long bone lid for storage underneath. The interior is pretty much as good as it gets! It sits on 4 brass ball feet. THIS IS AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE 18C MINIATURE SEWING BOX! 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...

Burr Yew Inlaid Tea Caddy Circa 1780 From our Tea Caddies collection, we are thrilled to offer this square Georgian Burr Yew wood inlaid Tea Caddy. The Caddy of square form with c...

A genuine oak box, made in pays Basque/Spain during the 18th century, lovely patina on the timber.

Superb late 16th century signed colonial Japanese Namban export lacquer coffer Momoyama period, late 16th/early 17th century, inscribed 'Arisato' on the bottom H. 30.5 x W. 43...

An important early George III Gold Mounted English Harstone Snuff Box made almost certainly in London, circa 1760. This quite exceptional gold mounted agate box has slightly incus...

An Important George II Gold Mounted Hardstone Snuff Box. English Circa 1740/50. The Snuff Box is one of the most important we have offered over the years and has a tall form. It i...

A Charming Late 18th Century Satinwood tea caddy, Having Attractive Conch Shell Inlaid Decoration To Front And Domed Top, Enclosing Double Lidded Interior. This attractive satin...

Antique Georgian 18th century compact elm coffer or box. These are now quite sought after. No loose joints and full of age, character and charm. Would...

Tiffany & Co. 14 K gold compact. Marked on the interior. Very lightly used. Weight 99.3 g or 3.2 t. oz.

A Portuguese or Cuban silver mounted mahogany knife box from the 18th century. Box with a worn painted inscription to the backside dated 1786.

A very handsome George III tea caddy, made from Mahogany and beautifully inlaid with panels and highly decorative foliate marquetry to the front and top. The top has a handsome cast ...

From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Antique Burr Yew Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of rectangular shape is beautifully finished in veneered Burr Yew wood, edged ...

An important Queen Anne Britannia Standard Armorial Tobacco Box made in London in 1709 by Edward Cornock. This Box is of typical oval form with a reeded edge on the base. This exampl...

A rustic Swedish wooden box from the late 18th century, with iron accents and natural patina. Created in Sweden during the last decade of the 18th c...

Rare pair of wig boxes. Regency period. Decoration (in symmetry on both) of chinoiseries on a black lacquered background (Vernis Martin). Very elegant shape, reversed cove lid. t...

Beautiful painted wooden weddingbox with its original decor and wrought iron lock (no key). Weathered and old repairs France, circa 1750-1800.

Rare and unusual George III tea caddy in the form of a ribbed bucket. The tea caddy of beautiful shape with a ribbed exterior carved from alternating panels of plain Sycamore and...

Florentine leather casket Italy, Tuscany 16th century leather, iron and wood. Very rare boiled leather box incised on a wooden core; iron lock. The central shield is divide...

19th century English Oak Liquor Bottle Case with brass Chubb lock and brass handle engraved with Capt. E.J. Ward R. A. relative to Captain Edward John Ward, military of the Royal Aca...

French snuff round box in gold. Beautiful round snuff box, crafted in Paris France during the transition of the first Republic and the first empire periods, between the 1798 and 1...

Extremely Rare Regency Antique Penwork Cabinet A very interesting and rare Antique Regency Penwork Cabinet decorated with numerous scenes of exquisi...

Rectangular with six compartments and a handle, square legs with corner spandrels, casters.

Mid-18th century hand painted traditional Swedish chest/box, circa 1750. Stunning traditional Swedish box hand painted in the original paintwork. Decorated on all sides with swags...

A fine pair of George III silver Rocco tea caddies by Francis Butty & Nicholas Dumee, dated 1766, housed in a silver mounted shagreen case. Each of the silver Rocco baluster gadr...

18th century Dutch brass tobacco box with hinged lid engraved with five circular medallions containing the busts of male noblemen figures with inscriptions and dates, the most recent...

Mid 18th century swedish pine chest decorated with labyrinth circa 1730. Rare and beautiful Swedish pine chest.   Traces of original paint to the outside with decorative metal str...

Chest restored baroque around 1700 solid oak coffin lid chest Features: Heavy quality Original lock Facade-like structured front Carved initials and year of manufacture 1699 ...

Mr. Giallo is opening his personal vault to sell a collection of his treasured antiques he's held on for so long. ABOUT ITEM. Beautiful mini box that may have been used as a jewelry box. Original image still in great condition of dog and little girl. A piece made to be shown next to other really pretty things. Can be used as a tooth fairy box...

Late 18th century Inro by Kajikawa. Edo period Beautiful inro in gold lacquer representing a continuous landscape on both sides. The interior in Nashiji lacquer. Some small traces...

Behold, a rare and exceptional piece of history – an Antique Satinwood Apothecary Box that exudes enchantment and elegance. Crafted with the utmost attention to detail, this stunn...

An 18th century English Porcelain Trompe L'oeil covered cauliflower form Box. This English Porcelain Trompe L'oeil Covered Cauliflower F...

A circa 1750 American Queen Anne period cast brass tobacco or snuff box with lid. Charming and rare antique box from the New England American colonies features beveled and shaped ...

French snuffbox from the late 18th century. Beautiful antique piece, made in France during the late 18th century, circa 1790's. It was carefully carved with impeccable precision, ...

Georgian Battersea enamel box from the 18th century. A beautiful fine antique English Battersea Bilston table snuff box created in the district...

Northern Italy box set with 16th century Floral Motifs 18.5x30x16cm Casket in carved and gilded wood with floral motifs. Sealing wax stamp inside. Vintag...

This exquisite four-case lacquered inro was dated to the latter part of 18th century to early 19th century (Edo period) and made by Shigehide. The opposite sides of the inro together features a lavish flower arrangement in a bamboo basket (ikebana). The detailed craftmanship was a true pleasure to behold. Mostly Takamaki-e (high relief) were used to texturize the delicate petals of the chrysanthemums, on which different shades of gold were used to create contrast. Raden (mother of pearl) shells were also used to highlight some leaves, rendering the piece an interesting balance of color and material. The interior was completed in a mottled gold finish. It was signed Shigehide on the bottom with a Kao. There is a small carved rabbit ojime bead...

Rare and Beautiful 16th century Siena box 13cm x 15.5cm x 27cm Paper mache box gilt and lacquered in blue and red. Good condition for the age.

In this ad you get the chance to buy a beautiful hand-painted Russian lacquer box from the 1800s. It is cylindrical in shape, slightly curving in...

Bronze and gilded copper box, Central Europe, 16th century Dimensions: 13 x 17.2 x 12.2 cm Resting on the ground by means of four spherical feet in...

English Bilston enamel figural needle holder box, 18th century. English enamel needle holder, 18th century. The needle holder depicts a hand painted p...

Scottish Sterling Silver Cowry Shell Snuff Box, George III, 1799. Monogrammed "JK 1799" to the gilt interior. Hallmarked PA to the interior rim. Addi...

chest. Wood, bone inlay, iron. Spain, possibly Catalan or Aragonese school, 16th century (with later restorations). Rectangular casket with a flat lid that closes at the front by m...

Mudejar-style chest. Spain, circa 1500. Wood and leather. A chest with a wooden core and leather lining. The leather has been embossed with stylised vegetal motifs on both sides, i...

Late 18th century Georgian Battersea enamel box. A beautiful antique English Battersea Bilston table snuff box, created in the district of Bat...

Rather large and rare miniature chest of drawers in late baroque from the early 18th century. Made in Walnut with key-plate in brass. All the drawers in the dresser with original loc...

Presentation Snuff box from the 18th century French School. A very important and rare Neoclassical oval box, made in Paris, France circa 1790. It was crafted with translucent natu...

A wooden trunk from 18th century, France. The charming rustic quality of this expansive wooden trunk has been elevated by the fastidiously hand-carved leaf patterning that wreathes i...

Extremely old box that is covered with leather and metal decorations. Rare find. France, circa 1600-1700. Weathered and some losses.

Leather trunk Spanish, 17th century Boiled Leather, wood and iron Measures: 22 x 53 x 32 cm. Provenance : - collection Metz-Noblat, Château de Clevant, France Rectangula...

A charming little sterling silver-lidded porcelain box, possibly used for snoring snuff, or for general trinkets. The silver top is decorated in Louis XVI style, and bears the Minerv...

Set of three carved wood hand painted donation / offering ALM Boxes, Spain, 18th century. Polychromed wooden Church Collection offering donation money boxes as wall decorations. Beautiful wall decoration comprised of three wall hanging collection / doation money boxes. Originally used to collect donations at Christian churches/chapels. Each one has a different design. All three create a colorful set displayed together. Rare find. Provenance: Private collection. On sale as a set. Measures: Religious woman: 45 cm H x 26 cm W x 21 cm D Saints Box: 33 cm H x 37 cm W x 14 cm D Blue Box:46 cm H x 31,5 cm W x 14 cm D Poor box...

Our unique 18th century silver clad wooden chest, 9 by 10 by 14 inches, comes from South America, likely Brazil, and features elaborate vines and flowers and fruit in the Baroque sty...

18th century, Swedish whitewashed Bible box was designed to hold invaluable books and essentials like candles in a secure fashion yet still easily transportable from room to room, or...

Very rare, striking red Tortoiseshell & Silver Oval Tea Caddy with beautifully bright cut solid silver edging, escutcheon and ring pull handle. The sil...

This fine sterling silver box is a piece of high craftmenship. All the surfaces are finely engraved with rich Baroque decor. It is a little jewel of handmade work. It was a jewel bo...

Antique blue marbled chest from northern Sweden made during the late 1700s. The chest is very unusual and in untouched original condition. Made in pine with working lock and key. The...

Silver mustard pot / Antique sterling sliver seasoning pot Antique sterling silver mustard / glass lined seasoning pot 1919 Beautifully crafted ant...

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