19th Century Boxes

A French traveling writing box made of rosewood during the 1800’s. The top of the box is inlaid with a mother-of-pearl monogrammed “Charlotte” l...

This is an antique decorative censer. A Chinese, bronze incense burner, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Delightfully ornate and substantial burner, with appealing ...

This is an antique glove box. An English, oak lidded keepsake or reception key case, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1800. Delightful small b...

19th Century American sailor made nautical themed inlaid ships wheel on the top, also called the helm. The front, sides and back are inlaid with geometric cir...

Step into the past with this 19th-century French black metal box, a timeless piece that exudes both history and elegance. The side hinges gracefully open, revealing a glimpse of the bygone era. Its sleek and simple design, coupled with the durable metal construction, makes it a versatile and functional addition to any collection or décor. Crafted to withstand the test of time, this metal box serves as a testament to the enduring beauty of antique craftsmanship. Discover the charm and utility of a storied past with this exquisite French metal box...

This is an antique decorative vanity case. A Japanese, lacquer and Mother of Pearl lidded box, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. ...

Musical souvenir box made in Switzerland in the 19th century for the German marker This rare snuffbox plays 2 melodies. Indicated on the inside of the lid. The case is made of met...

The delicately chamfered edges of the round tub and cover carved from Blyberg Porphyry with ormolu mounted acorn finial.

This 19th Century Napoleon III Box is a splendid example of the craftsmanship and elegance characteristic of the Napoleon III era. Crafted from rich walnut wood and adorned with intr...

Small Majolica Lidded Tureen Mixed Earths , circa 1890.

This is a stunning antique Victorian Coromandel gentleman's travelling vanity case with fitted interior, circa 1865 in date. This rectagular shaped traveling case is made of rare coromandel wood and features a blank brass plaque. The interior is well fitted with Sheffield silver plate mounted jars, bottles and shaving tools, displayed on fitted blue velvet. The secret button at the front of the case opens a sprung secret drawer below, for your jewellery. The underside of the lid has a velvet backed mirror and a compartment for hiding your letters. Complete with working Bramah lock and original key. It is a beautiful piece which will look stunning on your dressing table. Condition: In really excellent condition. Please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 9 x Width 26 x Depth 19 Dimensions in inches: Height 3 inches x Width 10 inches x Depth 7 inches Calamander wood or Coromandel wood is a valuable wood from India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia. It is of a hazel-brown color, with black stripes (or the other way about), very heavy and hard. It is also known as Macassar Ebony or variegated ebony and is closely related to genuine ebony, but is obtained from different species in the same genus; one of these is Diospyros quaesita Thwaites, from Sri Lanka. The name Calamander comes from the local sinhalese name, 'kalu-medhiriya', which means dark chamber; referring to the characteristic ebony black wood. Coromandel wood has been logged to extinction over the last 2 to 3 hundred years and is no longer available for new work in any quantity. Furniture in coromandel is so expensive and so well looked after that even recycling it is an unlikely source. A substitute, Macassar Ebony, has similar characteristics and to the untrained eye is nearly the same but it lacks the depth of colour seen in genuine Coromandel. Travelling cases became very popular towards the end of the 18th century. They were manufactured specifically to accompany upper class gentleman during travel. Dressing cases were originally rather utilitarian but they spoke volumes about their owners’s wealth and place in society, as at that time, traveling was only done by the elite. Gentleman’s dressing cases would contain bottles and jars for colognes, aftershaves and creams as well as essential shaving and manicure tools. As these boxes became more popular, many further traveling item options were offered for inclusion. By the early Victorian era, ladies also began to travel and suddenly their requirements were anything but utilitarian! Ladies dressing cases could feature a wide range of decorative bottles and jars as well as a vast array of beautifcation tools, all designed with pure luxury in mind. The exterior of the box became almost as important as the interior and these boxes started being veneered with beautiful exotic woods from all over the world. As demand for gentleman’s boxes lessened, the dressing case started to also become known by the more feminine term ‘vanity box’. These boxes, with their excessive price tags, were now considered as true works of art and beauty in themselves, and were often bought as status symbols rather than actual traveling companions. Some of the finest examples of travelling cases made from exotic wood with gold and silver fittings come from: Walter Thornhill, Betjamann & Sons and Jenner...

Fitted With Silver & Mother of Pearl  From our Vanity Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Victorian Burr Walnut Vanity Box. The Vanity Box of rectangular form veneered in B...

Rectangular with overall cube parquetry. Lift top. Well executed with a wide choice of exotic woods.Nice patina and presents well. From the estate of the founder of Yankee Candle Com...

EEarly and exceptional music box by Ducommun Girod with "exposed contols" Ducommun Girod was one of the first manufacturers of music boxes early in the 19th century. He is known for...

Vintage Incolay Stone Italian Jewelry Box - Womderful design wooden box with a great blend of color and style. The front display shows four people standing on what seems to be a log ...

Rosewood and Mother of Pearl From our Sewing Box collection, we are thrilled to offer this pair of Georgian Rosewood Sewing Boxes. The Sewing Boxes of rectangular shape veneered in ...

A fine antique French Gothic Revival/Medieval gilt bronze jewelry casket, with prorcelain panels, circa 1870. An identical jewelry casket sold on 1stdibs reference number LU155624346...

Presenting a gorgeous French 19th century Samson Paris Porcelain Trinket Box probably by Edme Samson. Marked on the base with “Made in France” and unmistakably in the style and manner of Samson. The lid features hand painted floral bouquets on an ivory porcelain background with gold edging, surrounded by a sky blue lid with gold web or crackling effect.. The lid is hinged and the lid and base are edged in floral gilt metal mounts with Fleur De Lis clasp. It sits on 4 gilt metal or ormolu feet. The sides are likewise hand decorated. This wonderful antique hand painted box is just bursting with History. Inspired by Edme Samson of Samson & Co., Paris. we believe (based upon the markings and natural aging) that it was made between 1880– 1890 in France and was meant to resemble an antique of a much earlier period. It is very similar to Sevres pieces with it’s color, decoration and design. Samson specialized in reproducing antiques from the 1600 and 1700s. One of his most interesting works was his Heraldic or Armorial pieces. With this medium sized box, he was not only copying the larger porcelain caskets or coffin boxes...

SIMPSON HALL MILLER & CO. - Arts & Crafts silver plate jewelry/cuff-links box - 'TPMJ' monogram - delicate tooling - cuff-link finial/handle - signed and marked on the base 'QUADRUPL...

English Tortoiseshell Pagoda Form Tea Caddy, Early 19th Century

A truly fabulous late nineteenth century jewelry box made from a fine example of malachite, the first image is the most true colour in person. The Malachite during this era was ag...

This is an antique correspondence box. An English, aged leather travelling writing case in the manner of Asprey, dating to the mid Victorian period, circa 1860. Appealing Victorian leather writing...

A 19th century Chinese elmwood box with brass hardware with canted corners. This unusual long and narrow box was probably custom made to house a musical instrument, it is very decor...

Rare sculpture of a joyful monk with a secret compartment. A so called Pyrogene, which was used for smoking utensils, such as matches. The monk holds two bottles in his hands and rai...

This 19th Century Napoleon III Period Jewelry Box is a true testament to the elegance and sophistication of its era. Crafted with meticulous attention...

A sweet tea caddy or box, shapped like a cask. Small bun feet add to the look. The top does not close completely due to age and shrinkage. As shown. Priced accordingly.

This folky original mustard painted over grey barrel was found on a farm in Pennsylvania. The condition is very good and sturdy. The patina is amazing and it has a outdoor protective...

Beautiful ovoid-shaped covered vase in patinated bronze with golden highlights, with rich rotating decoration in relief. The lid, symbolizing Night, is decorated with a turtle, a moo...

This 19th Century Napoleon III Box is a splendid example of the craftsmanship and elegance characteristic of the Napoleon III era. Crafted from rich black walnut wood and adorned wit...

A very good quality French 19th Century onyx, ormolu mounted jewellery casket, having Pietra dura floral plaques to each corner, set into classically shaped gilded ormolu mounts. Ba...

Small Silver and Tortoiseshell jewellery box, with the top of the lid and the bottom of the box being tortoiseshell. The edges of the box is ...

Chased and gilt bronze box, Napoleon III period. Chased and gilt bronze box with a nice enamel plaque, green velvet interior, with its original key, Napoleon III period, 19th Centur...

Snuffbox with music made in Switzerland in the first half of the 19th century. This rare snuffbox plays 2 melodies, on a sectional comb. The comb is thus composed of several section...

Batavia (Jakarta), 19th century, apparently unmarked H. 5 x W. 18 x D. 13 cm Before settling down to business in the former Dutch East Indies, sirih had to be offered in the most e...

An antique English George III tea caddy offers rosewood construction in casket form with gadroon elements and raised on bun feet, c1820 Measures - 8"h x 13.5"d x 7.5"d

Fitted Interior & Silver Handles From our Tunbridge Ware collection, we are delighted to offer this Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box. The Sewing Bo...

Porcelain and gilt bronze box, 19th century. Porcelain box in painted and gilded porcelain and gilded brass for the frame, very fine decoration, signed Latour.   H: 15cm, W: 40cm, D...

An English 19th Century top quality, solid mahogany tea caddy. This shaped box has a carved angular top lined with satinwood opening to a fitted interior. There are two removable fit...

Tunbridge Ware - A Fine Sewing Box with Isometric Cubes and Geometric Mosaics, c1850 Additional Information: Heading: Tunbridge Ware - A Fine Sewing Box with Isometric Cubes and Geo...

George III sterling silver snuffbox. Made by Samuel Pemberton in Birmingham in 1823. Rectangular with chamfered corners and flat hinged cover. Engraved Neoclassical ornament in point...

Clock with early sectional comb fusee wound musical movement. Musical mechanism of the very early type with sectional comb. 29 sections of 4 teeth each. Speed regulator to the left o...

An extraordinary vintage Boho writing desk in a box. Chic Burl wood construction with gorgeous inlay detail. An interior writing desk to hold your papers and writing utensils. Acquir...

Antique 19th century French Napoleon III marquetry box. The walnut burl wooden box is decorated with inlaid brass and mother of pearl with the new brown colour velour textile. The ke...

A gorgeous antique French Repousse dresser box, jewelry box, or decorative box France, Circa Late 19th Century Silver over bronze, with purple silk interior. Measures: 7.75"W x 6....

Walkers Excelsior IV ships log Untouched, new old stock, complete Walkers Excelsior IV ships log in its original box. 14Hx39Wx19D. Walker’s “Excelsior” IV Patent Log, Outrigger Pat...

A 19th century glove box made in France from ebonized mahogany. This box has a fall front, allowing easy access to the contents inside, including a silk-lined interior. Be sure to vi...

Filled with burning coals, this finely crafted 19th-century brazier once warmed the hands of a wealthy lady on a cold winter's night in northern China. The portable brazier is hand-w...

A French painted leather jewelry box with an inset brass handle custom monogrammed “EU, January, 24, 1898”. Inside you’ll find the box is fitted for st...

A Large Three Drawer Tunbridge Ware Jewellery Chest and Work Box, c1925 Additional Information: Heading: Tunbridge Ware - A Large Three Drawer Jewellery ...

Beautiful, early and rare music box probably made by Lecoultre in the early 19th century. This early music box plays 6 melodies on a 25.5cm cylinder. At the beginning of the 19th cen...

Known as a kaku-hibachi, this container was the center of social life in a Meiji era home. Used to brew tea or heat sake, the kaku-hibachi is a portable form of the traditional hearth. Carefully crafted, the square box is topped with a copper well in which ash and coal would heat the hibachi. Made of an expressive burl wood, the kaku-hibachi is compact with inset side handles and little embellishments. The top corners of the box are trimmed with kurogaki, or black persimmon...

Antique 19th century French Boulle/Napoleon III marquetry box. The wooden box is decorated with inlaid brass and tortoiseshell and red silk textile inside. Including key. Signed: Aud...

A superb antique 19th-Century French oak and boulle work box with fitted interior, a removable inner jewelry tray, and the original fully working lock and key, circa 1880. This fine ...

Fine silver, niello and vermeil silver antique snuff box depicting a handsome Scottish bagpipe player performing in a bucolic countryside setting. ...

Beautiful, early and rare music box made in the early 19th century. This early music box plays 6 melodies on a 25,7cm cylinder. At the beginning of the 19th century, boxes of excelle...

Snuffbox with music made in Switzerland in the first half of the 19th century. This rare snuffbox plays 2 melodies, on a sectional comb. The comb is thus composed of several section...

This mid nineteenth century French Napoleon III period marquetry cigar presentation box is constructed of rosewood and is marked Cigares on the top in lemon wood inlay. Additional i...

This charming Victorian-era silverplate biscuit box is intricately crafted to resemble a Japanese fan, a one-of-a-kind motif rarely seen in boxes of this...