Modern Boxes
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Stanley Szwarc Stainless Steel Rectangular Large Box Vintage
By Stanley Szwarc
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous long and unusual rectangular box is polished satin stainless steel. The dimensions of the work on top have flower like bursts in Industrial and floral forms. It is not ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Stainless Steel
Cigarette Case Fired Enamel on a Fine Hand-Engraved Mountain Landscape Sterling
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table cigarette case with rounded corners in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on a fine hand-engrave...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Modern Jewelry Music Box Gray Gloss Oak Wood
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Music Jewelry Gray Box in Gloss Oak Wood
Rectangular Modern
Music Box Attic Inc Canoga Park California
Stamped underneath
6.25 w x 5.5 d x 3.13 h
Preowne...
Category
2010s American Modern Boxes
Materials
Oak
Vintage Monumental Brass, Gold MIrror and Lucite Italian Box Desk Accessory Rare
By Casa Bella
Located in North Miami, FL
This stellar and beyond fabulous large vintage 2 part Italian box from the 70's is monumental and from the iconic Casa Bella chic shop in Miami from the time period. It is brass on t...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Modernist Translucent Glass Stylized Egyptian Eye of Horus Dish by Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
This stunning modernist dish was realized by the esteemed German maker Rosenthal. It offers a sinuously curved ellipsoid form with raised sides and a central circular depression. The form suggests the ancient Egyptian symbol of the Eye of Horus...
Category
20th Century German Modern Boxes
Materials
Glass
Hand Made Abstract Sculptural Glazed Ceramic Box. Fitted Lid
Located in Miami, FL
Hand Built Abstract Sculptural Glazed Ceramic Box. Fitted Lid
Offered for sale is a handmade abstract form ceramic box that is signed and dated by Rexx Fischer. The box is both func...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Hand-Painted Dome Top Wood and Brass Decorative Chest
Located in Germantown, MD
A fancy highly decorative, hand painted wooden box in good vintage condition. Heavy solid brass hardware. Meadures 19.5" in width, 10.25" in depth and 14" in height.
Category
Late 20th Century Argentine Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Waste Bin in Black Oak Detail by R&Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Black Oak Detail Waste Bin by R&Y Augousti exemplifies understated luxury, blending meticulous craftsmanship with premium materials. Handcrafted from rich black oak, the structur...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood, Oak
Large Brass Beetle Secret Box
Located in Milan, IT
Crafted in brass and lined in velvet, this original box by Florentine luxury experts Badari features a Hercules beetle topper, ready to face any intruder. An eye-catching accent for ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Waste Bin in Black Shagreen Rhomboid by R&Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Black Shagreen Rhomboid Waste Bin by R&Y Augousti is a masterpiece of functional design, combining luxurious materials and artisanal craftsmanship. Its exterior is adorned with m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
Waste Bin in White Shagreen Detail by R&Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The White Shagreen Detail Waste Bin by R&Y Augousti is a masterful blend of elegance and functionality, crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Encased in luxurious white shagre...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
Waste Bin in White Shagreen by R&Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The White Shagreen Rhomboid Waste Bin by R&Y Augousti is a masterpiece of functional design, combining luxurious materials and artisanal craftsmanship. Its exterior is adorned with m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
Waste Bin in Black Shagreen Detail by R&Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Black Shagreen Detail Waste Bin by R&Y Augousti is a masterful blend of elegance and functionality, crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Encased in luxurious white shagre...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
Karl Springer Exceptional Lidded Box in Tessellated Travertine 1980s 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
Exceptionally crafted table top box in tessellated travertine with wood interior by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed "Karl Springer" on bottom). This box has a nice scale and t...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Travertine
Twist Large Purple Box
Located in Milan, IT
A captivating and well-balanced interplay of colors and textures makes this round box in fine purple crystal a superb accent piece. Topped by a clear, spherical handle, the cylindric...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Crystal
Hand Blown Octagonal Murano Glass Box in Smoked Garnet
Located in New York, NY
This sophisticated modernist decorative box was realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It features...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Murano Glass
Black Acrylic Small Round Box by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Modern, colorful and fun round box that can be used as a decorative element on a coffee table, desk or nightstand. Serving double duty as a storage box or as a candy bowl.
They loo...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Boxes
Materials
Acrylic
Twist Large Crystal Box
Located in Milan, IT
Stunning in its simplicity, this clear crystal box is an expression of rare artisanal craftsmanship. Finely etched grooves following a twisted movement enliven its cylindrical silhouette, creating a tactile texture and mesmerizing optical detail further enhanced by the glistening edges in nickel-plated bronze. A matching lid...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Crystal
21st Century Leather Ashtray Handcrafted in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Welcome inside Pinetti smoking accessories collection with Vento ashtray. A stainless steel round revolving ashtray with the properly right spaces ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal
Don Shoemaker Parquetry Work Box for Senal SA, Mexico, Label
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great parquetry box, designed for Don Shoemaker, label, Senal SA.
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Cigarette Case Fired Enamel on a Fine Hand-Engraved Mountain Landscape Sterling
Located in Firenze, FI
Rounded rectangular snuffbox in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with beautiful fire enamelled miniature hand painted by the painter Simone Dainelli inspired by the paintings of Boris Vallejo, in fantastic contemporary style, with hand-engraved frame. Designed by Franco Salimbeni in 1967 and manufactured in Florence in numerous specimens with various subjects and different colors, in the headquarters of the Salimbeni company with completely manual execution by artisan artists with thick slab and large reinforcements suitable for withstanding numerous high-fire enamelled firings at about 800° C.
Miniature is a very ancient technique which consists of painting works in small proportions.
It was born for the decoration of the first letter of the paragraph of the books.
Over the years, however, this technique is refined and enriched, then moving on to precious personal items.
hand painted miniatures can be done with multiple different techniques.
The most important that we use on our articles are of three kinds:
1) Fire enamel.
2) Water tempera on an ivory plate.
3) Painted on mother-of-pearl.
Fire enameled miniatures:
On a first layer of enamel generally white or very clear or even transparent suitably liquefied at a temperature of about 750 ° C, the chosen subject is painted using miniature colors which are as many colored crystals, ground and reduced to a very fine, almost impalpable powder washed and purified in distilled water with the addition of small quantities of deoxidizing acids which, diluted with essential oils (usually essential oil of solder), can be mixed to form a palette of colors.
With very fine sable hair brushes you draw the subject starting from the perimeter and then gradually adding various layers of color.
It is necessary to carry out various firings very often so that the colors harden and are not absorbed by the underlying glaze as, during the subsequent firings at 750 ° C, during liquefaction, it would spread irremediably. Hence the need to form the painting a little at a time, cooking it numerous times.
Therefore it is necessary to proceed with numerous retouching, often overlapping different colors that only the painter's experience knows. A beautiful miniature needs from 20 to over 50 firings and is finished when the painter deems he does not have to further intervene.
Some colors must have darker tones than others because then, by superimposing the transparent enamel placed at the end of the miniature, they fade. This transparent layer, called “fondant” in jargon, must be smoothed and polished like all other translucent enamel colors.
The miniatures with water tempera colors are painted on real ivory...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box Octagonal L in Green with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This exquisite hand-blown Murano glass box is a true masterpiece that combines the centuries-old artistry of Murano glassmaking with timeless elegance and modern design. Crafted on the storied island of Murano, Italy, this box exemplifies luxury and sophistication.
Its octagonal shape adds a touch of geometric intrigue, providing a unique twist on traditional box...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Crystal with Bubbles and Chrome Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Pulegoso Murano glass box is a captivating fusion of artistry and functionality, crafted on the renowned Venetian Island of Murano. Distinctive for its unique texture, the Puleg...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Chrome
2000s Mosaic Marquetry Exotic Wood Box signed
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Mosaic Marquetry Mixed Wood Decorative Box
inlaid marquetry hardwood
handmade piece symmetrical center star design.
Signed j g white 04
2.25 h x 7.38 x 7.38
Preowne...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Karl Springer Unique Hinged Box in Polished Sodalite Stone 1980s 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
Stunning one-of-a-kind hinged box in polished blue sodalite stone by Karl Springer, American 1980's (shown with original showroom tag from the 1980’s). Blue sodalite is a rare minera...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Stone, Brass
Miniportrait Oval Jewelry Box Mirror in Cherrywood and Steel Sheet by Portego
By Portego
Located in Stienta, IT
Designed by Studio Lido for Portego.
Made in Italy
The Oval Miniportrait is part of the boxes line that reproduces the plissé of oriental fans.
It's expertisely manufactured carving...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Tronador Medium Mini Box, Brown Onyx Stone and Silver Alpaca
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Boxes
Materials
Stone, Onyx
Modernist Black Mirror Box w/ Beveled & Sliced Gilt Geode Detailing
Located in New York, NY
This sleek and well adorned Modernist Black Mirror Box with Beveled & Sliced Gilt Geode Detailing originates from the United States during the latter half of the 20th Century. Featur...
Category
20th Century American Modern Boxes
Materials
Mirror
Japanese Kazaribako Glass Box Kyohei Fujita
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Kazaribako "Ornamented Box" made of glass by Japanese artist Kyohei Fujita (1921-2004) circa 1980s. The hand-blown glass box with fitting lid is of an oval shape, slightly irregula...
Category
1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver
Privato Biancho white Safe
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Safe for jewelry, available in three finishing options. See information below for details of finishing variations. Copper: Jewelry case in hammered copper finish steel. Drawers in ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Steel
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Crystal with Bubbles and Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Pulegoso Murano glass box is a captivating fusion of artistry and functionality, crafted on the renowned Venetian Island of Murano. Distinctive for its unique texture, the Puleg...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Solid Brass Dish
Located in Paonia, CO
The (wh)ORE HAüS STUDIOS small goods collection was made for those that wanted to experience the (wh)ORE HAüS brand without committing to our larger pieces. Our Solid Brass Dish...
Category
2010s American Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Amber with 24 Karat Gold Flecks and Brass Fitting
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The marriage of amber and 24-karat gold lends a mesmerizing allure to this enchanting hand-blown glass box from Murano, Italy. The warmth from this piece emanates a sense of luxury ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
Four Vessels with Indonesian Lids in Silver
Located in Roma, IT
There are four vessels with Indonesian lids in silver.
Dimensions:
1, Height 3.5 cm, width 10.5 cm, length 4.5 cm
2, Height 4 cm, diameter 10 cm
3, Height 4 cm, diameter 6 cm
...
Category
20th Century Indonesian Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box M in Leopard with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This avant-garde adornment is a unique and eye-catching piece that combines the rich tradition of Murano glassmaking with a contemporary and fashionable design. Handcrafted on the hi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Contemporary Decorative Box Handmade Crystal and Boise De Rose by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2023 Collection of Decorative boxes by Ghiró Studio.
The type of craftsmanship and the materials used for the production make this box a unique object, in fact it is impossible to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Glass, Rosewood
Karl Springer Set of Stunning Polished Petrified Wood Orbs on Custom Bases 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Set of 3 polished petrified wood orbs on custom metal bases by Karl Springer, American 1980's (retain original labels from the 1980s showing the original pric...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Stone, Metal, Brass
Handcrafted Three Trinket Boxes Mod Geometric Design
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Mod Set Three Geometric Design Trinket Boxes
Handcrafted Wood Art
2 h x 4 x 4
Original vintage
Refer to images for details
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Ceramic Leopard Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing the striking ceramic Tiger jewelry box, a unique creation from Imvelo Natural Art, South Africa. Hand-painted by Samukelo Gumede and hand-scu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Armored Armoire in Canaletto Walnut Gioia Noce
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored armoire in Canaletto walnut, matte finish, gold plated brass accessories.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Walnut
Giant Hand-Blown Murano Glass Box in Onyx Black with Bubbles and Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Impressive in its scale alone, this stunning hand-blown Murano glass box exudes luxury and refinement. This Pulegoso Murano glass box is a captivating fusion of artistry and function...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Chrome
Black Polished Wood Chest for 55 Pens with Suede and Leather Detail
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Lockable chest in black polished wood. Holds up to 55 pens.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Suede, Wood
Danish Modern Enameled Abstract Teak Table Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Danish modern enameled abstract teak table box
We are pleased to offer
a Danish modern enameled abstract teak table box, this rectangular piece combines functionality and artistic e...
Category
20th Century Danish Modern Boxes
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Vintage Fendi Pequin Stripe Trinket Box
By Fendi, Fendi Casa
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique and interesting trinket box by Fendi. This vintage piece from the early 1990s is made in leather and covered in the classic Fendi Pequin stripe fabric design. This piece ope...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Fabric
Contemporary 'Pixel' Jewelry Box Handmade Black Wood and Glass by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2022 Collection of Jewelry boxes by Ghirò Studio.
'Pixel' is perfect synthesis of timeless style, innovative design and italian craftsmanship excellence. This box is entirely in woo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Glass, Wood
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Onyx Black with Murine Detailing
Located in New York, NY
This sophisticated modernist decorative box was realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It features...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Murano Glass
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box with 24 Karat Gold Flecks and Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This stunning and angular square shaped, hand-blown Murano glass box is a treasure to behold. Handcrafted on the historic island of Murano, this box exemplifies the artistry and skil...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
Giant Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Onyx Black with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Impressive in its scale alone, this stunning hand-blown Murano glass box exudes luxury and refinement. Handcrafted on the historic Venetian island of Murano, this oversized box comma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Black with Bubbles and Chrome Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Discover the epitome of elegance with this exquisite Pulegoso technique box, meticulously crafted in Murano and signed for MOGUL. This box, available in both large and giant sizes, e...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Chrome
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Black with Bubbles and Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Black Pulegoso Murano glass box is a captivating fusion of artistry and functionality, crafted on the renowned Venetian island of Murano. Distinctive for its unique texture, the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Giant Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Onyx Black with Bubbles and Chrome Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Impressive in its scale alone, this stunning hand-blown Murano glass box exudes luxury and refinement. This Pulegoso Murano glass box is a captivating fusion of artistry and function...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Chrome
Karl Springer Iconic Hinged Box in Yellow Cobra, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Iconic sculptured box in yellow cobra, piano hinged with interior in suede, by Karl Springer, American 1970s. The craftsmanship on this box is simply superb.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Chrome
Italian Modern Sterling Silver Box
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver box. Rectangular; cover hinged with vertically ribbed rim. Post-1967 Italian marks including maker’s (Fratelli Cacchione) and retailer’s (Carimati) stamps. Wei...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Ceramic Giraffe Teapot , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Giraffe Teapot
Hand-Painted by Jabu Nene, Sculpted by Sbusiso
Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2024
The Giraffe Teapot is a magnificent example of South African ceramic art, bringing...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
1960s Snake Skin Covered Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful snake skin covered box lacquered in a natural bone color. Wonderful vintage condition.
Category
1960s Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Italian Modernist Black Marble, Lapis, Tiger, Pink Rhodochrosite Butterfly Box
By Richard Blow
Located in North Miami, FL
This stunning and hard to find vintage modernist Pietra Dura Italian stone hinged box has an elaborate butterfly in the center of the black marbl...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Marble
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tessellated Stone Boxes by Maitland Smith
Located in New York, NY
This elegant pair of modernist boxes were realized by the celebrated 20th century design firm Maitland Smith in the Philippines, circa 1980. They feature two cylindrical bodies- one ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Stone
John Glick pottery/stoneware box , jewelry/ table box, signed .
By John Glick
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful box with waved design in stoneware / ceramic. Made by Plum Tree Potters, John Glick.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Modern boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, case pieces and storage cabinets, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original boxes, popular names associated with this style include Agresti, AIREDELSUR, Lusitanus Home, and Greenapple. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $27 and tops out at $299,000 while the average work can sell for $1,145.