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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
21st Century Sideroid Azimuth Coffer in Yellow Resin - Nikos Sideris and CTRLZAK
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
"An object of desire coming from the stars. Sideroid Azimuth has a double soul: an artistic artifact and a container of precious items. Based on the ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Orange and Black Decorative Ceramic Box by Jean Grison French Art
By Jean Grison
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Jean Grison
Original and decorative ceramic box
Signed under the base, realized circa 2000
Elegant orange and black ceramic colors effects
Original good condition
Meas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Agresti Black Polished Wood w/ Extendable Box for 54 Cufflinks
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Lockable chest in black polished wood for 54 pairs of cufflinks. This is also extendable up to 90 pairs.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Watch Box in Black Polished Ebony for Ten Watches La Teca Del Tempo by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Polished black box for 15 watches with ruthenium plated brass.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Gandia Blasco Touareg Small Candle Box by Sandra Figuerola
Located in New York, NY
This piece, with its standard volume and geometric, universal and contemporary language, has a unity of criteria. The Farol Touareg subtly filters the light, just as the lattices tha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Aluminum
Italian Silver Plate and Burgundy Crocodile Buckle Hinged Box Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This stunning and gorgeous Italian vintage hinged silver plate buckle box has a burgundy crocodile leather buckle part. It was professionally polished and the bottom of the box had t...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
Saturn and Pluto Box, Marble and Brass, by Bohinc Studio
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
The box’s interlocking shapes reference this year’s exceptional planetary conjunction between Saturn and Pluto. The Saturn and Pluto box features three brass round compartments with tops in calacatta, red travertine and portoro marble.
Handmade in Italy using a mix of handmade metalwork and 3-D milled marble parts. Please note that no two marbles are alike and there will be variations in the pattern as well as in the colour of the pieces.
Please note that even though brass is protected by clear varnish, it may still oxidise over the years which is a natural ageing process.
Each object is individually numbered and comes with a signed Certificate of authenticity to prove that it is Bohinc Studio...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble, Brass
Agresti Bacco E Tabacco Bar Armoire
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Bar armoire with two doors and lid that can be fully opened. Contents: LIEBHERR wine cellar for 12 bottles, temperature ranging +5 to +20, set of 16 hand c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Decorative Ceramic Box Orange and Black Colors by Jean Grison
By Jean Grison
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Jean Grison
Elegant and delicate decorative ceramic box by the French artist.
Many ceramic colors effects.
Signed under the base, circa 2000.
Original good conditions.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Tempo Unico Rosso Red Watch Winder Lined in Leather by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Watchwinder in polished red briar for automatic watch. Leather lined. Winder made in Switzerland, battery operated.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather
Agresti Polished Briarwood and Mahogany Jewel Box with Gold-Plated Hardware
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry chest in polished briarwood and mahogany, ultrasuede lining, 24-karat gold plated brass accessories. With necklace bars, lockable doors and five drawers. Adjustable mirror on...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Unique Black Document Box with Bull Design by Arijian
Located in Namyangju-si, KR
This artwork uses mother of pearl to re-interpret 'A Bull,' which is an iconic work by one of the most celebrated South Korean artists in modern and contemporary painting...
Category
2010s South Korean Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Agresti Solo Lui Black Armoire with 18 Watch Winders
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored armoire in polished ebony, brass accessories in Ruthenium. Safe with biometric opening device, drawers and trays lined for watches and jewelry. Available with 18 Swiss made watch...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Ebony
French Sculptured Gilt Bronze Box by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt bronze box or podier by French Jeweler Line Vautrin, in the pattern of "Moise ou la traversee du desert" coric 1940s-1950s.
A rare mode in the box, the top surface of the cover illustrates the biblical story of Moses crossing the desert out of Egypt...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Modern Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Chest with 4 Watch Winders Il Passatempo Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Agresti Il Passatempo chest with 4 watch winders. Available in two variations, please see information below for variation details.
Ebony: Polished ebony chest with 4 watch winders en...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Agresti Arco Contemporary Armoured Jewelry and Watch Armoire in Canaletto Walnut
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Polished walnut contemporary armored armoire by Agresti.
Matte finish, 4-karat gold-plated accessories. Round handle with biometric opening device and emergency key integrated. Inside pull out necklace...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Walnut
Juno Box, Marble and Brass, by Bohinc Studio
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Bohinc Studio’s new Juno box comprises a large brass body and a smaller round compartment. Details in green ming, red travertine, calcatta and portoro ma...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble, Brass
Agresti Smart Identity Armoire with 6 Watch Winders
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Interactive armored armoire in matte finish Canaletto walnut or polished Ebony, with emergency key. White leather interior with 6 Swiss made watch winders and secret compartment. Rut...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Agresti Solo Lui Black Armoire with 54 Watch Winders
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored armoire in polished Ebony, brass accessories in Ruthenium. Safe with biometric opening device, drawers and trays lined for watches and jewelry. Available with 54 Swiss made w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Ebony
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
Armored Watch Chest in Black, Nine Watch Winders Il Forziere Delle Ore Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Agresti Il Forziere Delle Ore armored Chests for 9 Winders. Two variations available, please see information below for details.
Ebony: Armoire in polished ebony with safe, anchorable to the wall. Biometric opening device and emergency key system. Watch winders entirely made in Switzerland. Secret compartment, inside lined in ultrasuede. Safe covered with polished ebony and black leather. Bulletproof glass...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Italian Mahogany and Chrome Modernist Decorative Box, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian mahogany and chrome modernist decorative box, 1970s.
Long rectangular shape with Minimalist design. Framing in polished chromed metal with a unique decoration on the top. In...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Chrome
Polished Black Jewel Box in Maple and Mahogany by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry chest in polished black bird’s-eye maple and mahogany, ultra suede lining, 24-karat gold-plated brass accessories. With necklace bars, lockable doors and five drawers. Adjust...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Maple
Agresti Solo Lui Black Armoire with 36 Watch Winders
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored armoire in polished ebony, brass accessories in ruthenium. Safe with biometric opening device, drawers and trays lined for watches and jewelry. Available with 36 Swiss made w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Ebony
Agresti Contemporary Fiocco Armoire Safe in Shiny White Maple
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Polished white bird's-eye maple armored armoire with leather bow, 24-karat gold-plated accessories. Round handle with biometric opening device and emergency key integrated. Inside pullout / pull-out necklace holder and drawers lined for jewelry. Leather handles on drawers. Secret compartment. Available...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Birdseye Maple
Armored Armoire in Canaletto Walnut Gioia Noce Agresti
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
Pair of Grey Italian Pottery Covered Table Boxes, 20th Century
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of figural Italian pottery covered boxes.
In the form of grey pears with a twig and leaf stem.
A charming pair of figural boxes!
Marked to the bases with a parti...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Pottery
Gandia Blasco Fez Candle Box 4 by José A. Gandía Blasco Canales
Located in New York, NY
“All the magic you need for lighting a dinner with friends, a party, your garden, a deserted beach or a romantic dinner where only moonlight could ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Aluminum
Tempo Unico Brown Watch Winder in Polished Briar and Leather Lined by Agrest
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Watch winder in polished briar for automatic watch. Leather lined. Winder made in Switzerland, battery operated.
Watch is not included with winder.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Morpho Blue Butterfly Frame in White Oak and Brass by Cam Crockford
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Morpho blue butterfly frame in white oak and brass by Cam Crockford
Additional Information:
Materials: White oak - brass - linen - blue morpho butterfly...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Agresti Nero Forziere Black Armoured Chest with 6 Drawers
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Chest of polished ebony with grade 2 safe. Shiny black steel. Contents 6 drawers lined to store all sorts of jewels and necklace bar. Brass-plated 24-karat gold accessories.
Uniqu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Ebony
Modern Black and White Stone Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
An English modern style black and white stone jewelry or trinket box, circa late-20th century, England. Box has tapered corners and is polished smooth. A...
Category
Late 20th Century English Modern Boxes
Materials
Stone, Marble
Gandia Blasco Fez Candle Box 1 by José A. Gandía-blasco Canales
Located in New York, NY
“All the magic you need for lighting a dinner with friends, a party, your garden, a deserted beach or a romantic dinner where only moonlight could ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Aluminum
Agresti "Gioia Crema" Contemporary Armored Jewelry Armoire Safe
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Agresti Gioia Crema; contemporary armored jewelry armoire safe in cream colored polished bird's eye maple. Inside safe in shiny white. 24-karat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Birdseye Maple
Italian White Onyx Marble Round Box
Located in New York, NY
A small 1970s Italian Modern white onyx marble round box. A great piece to hold small items on a desk or vanity area for paperclips or jewelry, such as ring...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Onyx, Marble
Agresti Arco Small Armored Chest
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Polished white bird’s eye maple or polished walnut matte finish armored chest, 24-karat gold plated accessories. Round handle with biometric opening device and emergency key integrated. Inside pull out necklace...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold Plate
Lovely Sterling Silver Keepsake Box with Engraved Flowers
Located in New York, NY
Lovely sterling silver keepsake box. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged and tabbed. Cover top has engraved border with dense and overlap...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Black Polished Humidor with Tray and Cedar Lining by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Polished wooden humidor with tray. Cedar lined. Ruthenium-plated hardware. High class for the happy few.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Arnoldo Pomodoro Bronze Sculptural Italian Two Part Box Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This sculptural hallmarked fantastic signed Italian vintage bronze 2-part box is by Arnaldo Pomodoro. It has abstract raised forms on top giving both an organic and artistic textural elements. There were 4 different boxes ever done. Pomodoro is a very noted sculptor. The Pomodoro brothers were jewelers before they were sculptors as finely eminent in their work. This is a heavy box of art, sculpture and beauty. It is rectangular and is signed Pomodoro Il Sestante. This is beyond fabulous. It is our favorite special box in our collection. We have had it polished. A piece de resistance no doubt. These boxes are hard to come by now and are very collected. It is from the 1970s. This makes a very special desk accessory bronze...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Gandia Blasco Fez Candle Box 2 by José A. Gandía-blasco Canales
Located in New York, NY
“All the magic you need for lighting a dinner with friends, a party, your garden, a deserted beach or a romantic dinner where only moonlight could be more attractive” - José A. Gandí...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Aluminum
Ghirò Studio Jewel Box in Brass and Glass, 2019
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant jewelry box signed by the artist Ghirò Studio of Milan. The jewelry box is made of solid glass cut, carved and polished by hand in an elegant covered bowl. Cast brass tie...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Gandia Blasco Touareg Large Candle Box by Sandra Figuerola
Located in New York, NY
"This piece, with its standard volume and geometric, universal and contemporary language, has a unity of criteria. The Farol Touareg subtly filters the light, just as the lattices th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Aluminum
Red Lacquer Jewelry Box with Brass Swan Bird Design
Located in New York, NY
A '70 modern red lacquer or high-gloss 'demi-lune' box with inlayed brass swan bird design, circa 1970s. A chic decorative box for jewelry (as demonstrated)...
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Belgian Modern Brown Onyx Marble and Brass Jewelry Box from Belgium
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful, substantial and chic Belgian modern brown, caramel, and white onyx marble and brass hinged box, circa early to mid-20th century, Belgi...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Modern Boxes
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Brass
Agresti Carbon Dream Jewel Chest in Polished Carbon Fibre on 4 sides
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Safe covered in polished carbon fibre drawers in white leather and lined for jewelry/watches. Ruthenium accessories. Round handle with biometric opening and emergency key system inte...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal
Gandia Blasco Fez Candle Box 3 by José A. Gandía-blasco Canales
Located in New York, NY
“All the magic you need for lighting a dinner with friends, a party, your garden, a deserted beach or a romantic dinner where only moonlight could ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Aluminum
Cork and Silver Ice Bucket
Located in New York, NY
Elegant bar accessory. Interior is lined with stainless.
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver
Pair of Black and Clear Lucite Decorative Boxes
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of 1970s modernist Lucite small decorative boxes with black acrylic bases and clear lids. Perfect as a trinket or jewelry box.
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Boxes
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite
Rock Crystal Box with Enameled Gold Mounts, Algernon Asprey Ltd, Sheffield
Located in Paris, FR
An oval, the lid applied with a pink enamel flower and green leaves on which rests a gold butterfly with pierced wings, twisted rope cagework mounts, the base rim engraved 'Designed & enameled by Philip Barnes, made by Ron Edwards for Algernon Asprey...
Category
1970s English Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Rock Crystal, Gold
Agresti White Lei Lui Armoire in Birdseye Maple
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armoured jewelry armoire in polished white bird’s-eye maple and 24-karat gold hardware. Inside, safe with biometric opening device. Drawers and pull-out trays lined for jewelry. Six ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Birdseye Maple
Box Decorative Brass Swedish, 20th Century, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Box decorative brass Swedish, 20th century, Sweden. A box made in Sweden during the 20th century. Interior with wood. No key.
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Vintage Signed Chrome, Brass, Black Resin Hinged Monumental Sculptural Box
Located in North Miami, FL
This stunning and sculptural monumental beautifully made Italian hinged heavy box is signed and stamped Linea Ble Roma. It is from the 20th century and is comprised of chrome, brass ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Agresti Nero Forziere Contemporary Chest Safe in Black Polished Wood
Located in New York, NY
The Agresti Nero Forziere chest safe is made of polished wood. It contains six drawers which are lined to store all sorts of jewels and has a necklace bar. Brass-plated, 24-karat gol...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Vintage Lucite Box with Foiled Enameled Cloisonné Blue Abstract Top Signed
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage lucite and mixed-media box, vessel or container has a removable foiled enameled cloisonné top with a spectacular signed artistic design. The colors of the enamel top are...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Enamel, Foil
Chic Modernist Lizard Skin Wrapped Box in Natural Tones
Located in New York, NY
A modernist lizard skin match-wrapped box with removable lid. Its interior is lined in a dark brown ultra-suede with lid supports by means of wooden plinths on two opposing sides of ...
Category
Early 2000s Philippine Modern Boxes
Materials
Animal Skin
Wonderful Alfonse La Paglia Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Modernist Box Handle
Located in Roslyn, NY
Alphonse La Paglia sterling silver modern covered box with unusual handle on the lid.
Lovely vintage condition.
Measures: 4" H x 3" W x 2.5" H
Approximate 193 g sil...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Karl Springer Hand Lacquered Kyoto Box 1984
Located in New York, NY
"Kyoto Box" in double glaze faux mushroom shagreen lacquer with faux ivory inlay detail on matching Stand by Karl Springer, American, 1984. (Shown with origi...
Category
1980s North American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Lacquer, Wood
Karl Springer Bullfrog Skin Box, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural lidded box covered in bullfrog skin with brass hinge by Karl Springe, American, 1970s.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Animal Skin
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.
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