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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
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
Modern Serving Tray Calacatta Marble Ebony Handmade Portugal Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Guadiana serving tray, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
Guadiana is a sublime serving tray, designed to uplift layback moments. Handcra...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble
Rectangular Shagreen Box with Brass Trims by Ginger Brown
By Ginger Brown
Located in Bourguebus, FR
This modern box by Ginger Brown is handcrafted with shagreen and brass trims striping.
The box is hinged and the interior is lined with a high quality black microsuede.
The col...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Neon Orange Acrylic Christmas Tree Decor by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Christmas is a season of joy and, for us that means color! Celebrate the season with this colorful, fun and modern Christmas Tree sculptures, and give a new twist to the traditional Christmas color palette. This sculptures will look merry and bright in shelves, fireplace mantle, centerpiece on your table or even to decorate you kids bedroom...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Boxes
Materials
Acrylic
Black Acrylic Large 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
$240 / item
Isa Box 1694 by Filippo Dini
Located in Milan, IT
Stunningly crafted in glossy ebony, the glorious Isa Box features a hand engraved 24k gold plated brass top and is adorned with bevel edged horn inserts. Measuring 21 x 13 cm with a ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold Plate, Brass
$2,622 / item
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
$11,000 / item
Set/5 Jars & Pots, White & Mint Green, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/5 Ceramic Jars & Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes three waterproof ceramic jars and two ceramic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold Leaf
Ceramic Tiger Box, hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
This ceramic tiger box from Love Art Ceramic is not just a piece of art; it's a symbol of strength, beauty, and craftsmanship. Handmade by talented artisans Sbusiso and Minenhle Nene...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
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
Set/8 Ceramic Jars & Pots, White & Pink, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/8 Ceramic Jars & Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes five ceramic jars and three ceramic pots, both ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Buffalo And Genet Cat Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
The Buffalo & genet cat jewelry box from Senzo Duma Ceramics is a testament to South African artistry. Hand-sculpted by Thabiso and hand-painted by Nqoh,...
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 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 t...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
Set/ 3 Ceramic Pieces, Pearl Grey, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Serafim, Rocha and Alcobaça Decorative Pieces, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes one waterproof ceramic pot ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Daam Dah 7-1, a Unique Black Glass Lidded Box with Gold Detail by Choi Keeryong
Located in London, GB
Daam Dah 7-1 is a unique black cast glass lidded box with 23.5 carat gold leaf, by the South Korean artist, Choi Keeryong. When casting glass, tiny bubbl...
Category
2010s European Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold Leaf
Ceramic Cheetah And Bird Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Cheetah Jewelry Box Hand Painted by Sli Mazibuko and Sculpted by Motsamai Sello
Introduce a touch of South African elegance to your home with the enchanting Cheetah Jewelry Box, a ca...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Set/5 Vases, Ceramic Vases, White, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Steele & Hardy Vases, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes five waterproof ceramic vases, perfect to be display...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Privato Nero Black 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
$12,000 / item
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
$31,000 / item
Forziere Ore Bianche White Chest with Nine Watch Winders
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Counter size armoured chest in shiny white bird’s eye maple. Bullets proof glass (6 Joule out of 8), emergency opening system, leds lights. Nine high tech winders entirely made in Sw...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Birdseye Maple
$67,500 / item
Ceramic Wild Dog Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Wild Dog Jewelry Box Hand-Painted by Minehle Nene and Sculpted by Motsamai Sello
The Wild Dog Jewelry Box from Love Art Ceramic is a stunning piece of d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
"Quadra" Square Leather Box Designed by Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Quadra" is a square leather box, designed and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Colors combination to be chosen from the available range: tan...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather
Box
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Box
Mango wood / black finish
Dimensions: length: 28,5 / width: 22 / height 13 cm.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
$1,286
Ceramic Hyena Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Hyena Jewelry Box
Hand-Painted by Jabu Nene, Sculpted by Unknown
Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2023
The Hyena Jewelry Box is a striking piece of ceramic art that captures the esse...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Mark Small Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Mark small box by Fakasaka Design
Dimensions: W 10 cm D 10 cm H 6.5 cm.
Materials: polished bronze.
Also available in black/brown bronze.
FAKASAKA is...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Boxes
Materials
Bronze
$877 / item
Ghidini 1961 Small Knotted Cherry Box in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Small box available in brass and rose gold finishes.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
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
R&Y Augousti, shagreen jewelry box, 1990s
Located in Firenze, IT
Stunning shagreen and ebonized wood jewelry box, produced by R&Y Augousti in the 1990s. It is a very sophisticated jewelry box full of elegant details, the doors are closed by a Japa...
Category
1990s French Modern Boxes
Materials
Shagreen, Wood
Cuscino Rosso Red Leather Watch Case
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Travel leather watch case with capacity for 1 watch in the adjustable leather support. Available in three finishing options: Black leather with poli...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
$950 / item
Polished Black Jewel Chest with Gold-Plated Hardware
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Jewel chest in polished ebony. The two side doors close, by key, the five drawers. And on the side you have two necklace bars. The drawers are organized to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold Plate
$4,500 / item
Ceramic Protea Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Protea, Beetle Jewelry Box
Hand-Painted by Jabu Nene, Sculpted by Sbusiso Ndaba
Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2024
Embodying the vibrant essence of South Africa, the "Protea, Beet...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Leopard Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Leopard Jewelry Box
Hand-Painted by Slindelo Mazibuko, Sculpted by Motsamai Sello
Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2024
Introducing the Leo Jewelry Box, a charming ceramic piece that...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Il Passatempo White Chest with Four Watch Winders
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Chest with 4 watch winders. Available in two variations, please see information below for variation details. Ebony: Polished ebony chest with 4 watch winders entirely made in Switzer...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Birdseye Maple
$14,500 / item
Ceramic Aloe jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Crafted with care and creativity, this one-of-a-kind aloe vera-shaped box is a delightful fusion of nature and art. Handmade with meticulous attention to detail, its gentle curves an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Zebra Head Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Zebra Head Jewelry Box Hand-Painted by Zinhle Nene and Sculpted by Sfiso
Introducing the captivating Zebra Head Jewelry Box, a stunning ceramic piece brought to life by the talented...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
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
Ceramic Aloe Vera Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing the enchanting "Aloe, Snail Jewelry Box," a stunning piece of ceramic decorative art from South Africa, created by the talented duo of Motsam...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Pixel Ziggurat Boxes by Oeuffice
By Oeuffice
Located in Geneve, CH
Pixel Ziggurat boxes by Oeuffice
Edition: 12 + 2AP
2012
Dimensions: 25 x 25 x 55 cm
Materials: Wood box, acrylic
The Pixel edition is a playful interpretation of the Ziggurat ...
Category
2010s English Modern Boxes
Materials
Acrylic, Wood
$14,704 / item
Il Passatempo Chest with Four Winders in Oak Smoke Grey
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Case in smoked grey oak with four Swiss-made winders, red leather lining, touch switch, glass display window. Brass accessories with ruthenium finish.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood, Leather
$12,000 / item
Ceramic Tiger Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Tiger Jewelry Box: Hand-Painted by Winnie Mchunu and Sculpted by Sbusiso & Motsamayi
The Tiger Jewelry Box is a remarkable piece of ceramic art that bea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Ghidini 1961 Small Knotted Cherry Box in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Small box available in brass and rose gold finishes.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Ceramic Monkey Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Pomegranate Monkey Jewelry Box
The Pomegranate Monkey Jewelry Box is a stunning piece of ceramic decorative art created in South Africa by the talented...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
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
English Modern Sterling Silver Box with Scottish Agate Thistle
Located in New York, NY
English Modern sterling silver box, 1919. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover curved and hinged with short tab; on top inlaid agate in form of stylized thistle in rondel. Silver l...
Category
1910s British Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Agate, Sterling Silver
Ceramic Tortoise Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Tortoise Jewelry Box
Hand-Painted by Jabu Nene, Sculpted by Sfiso Mvelase
Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2024
Embracing the rich cultural tapestry of South Africa, the "Tortoise Je...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
American Cowhide and Brass Box
Located in Queens, NY
American cowhide upholstered box with brass nail heads.
Category
20th Century American Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Wood Box
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Incredible wood box.
Category
1940s French Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
$2,105
Ceramic Protea Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Protea, Monkey Jewelry Box Hand Painted by Jabu Nene and Sculpted by Motsamai Sello from Love Art Ceramic
The Protea, Monkey Jewelry Box is a delightful piece of ceramic art, crafte...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Monkey Teapot , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
The Monkey Teapot by Senzo Duma Ceramic Arts is a captivating blend of artistry and African cultural symbolism. Hand-sculpted and hand-painted by Senzo Duma in South Africa, this tea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Bowl, Jean François Reboul
Located in Paris, FR
Bowl by Jean François Reboul made of clay and enamel using Raku technique. 2019.
“Certificate of Authenticity” provided by the gallery.
Jean...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Boxes
Materials
Enamel
Ceramic Zebra Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Zebra Jewelry Box
Hand Painted by Jabu Nene, Sculpted by Motsamai Sello
Love Art Ceramic, South Africa
The Zebra Jewelry Box is a stunning ceramic mas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Pumpkin Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
A beautiful piece! The combination of glossy white and green colors, along with the unique design of a pumpkin with a removable lid, adds a charming touch. It’s great to hear about ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
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
Ceramic Leopard Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
The "Leopard Head Jewelry Box," crafted by South African artists Jabu Nene and Sfiso Mvelase of Love Art Ceramic, is a stunning piece that beautifully blends functionality with artis...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Modern Sterling Silver Box with 1930s Australian Imperial Force Association
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver box, ca 1935. Rectangular with straight sides and curved corners. Cover hinged with tapering tab. Cedar lined interior and leather-lined underside.
On cover t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Australian Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
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
Small Box with Decorative Scenes of the Reveillon Aerostat
Located in Roma, IT
Paris, Age of Louis XVI
Interesting and rare small rectangular box entirely tempera decorated on each face with scenes of the flight demonstrations of the Reveillon Aerostat invente...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal
Carbon Fiber Armored Jewel Safe Polished Carbon on 4 Sides and 3 Winders
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry safe covered in polished carbon. Drawers in white leather, inside is lined for jewelry and watches with pullout / pull-out necklac...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Steel
Ceramic Fish Coin Dish , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Fish Coin Dish
Hand Painted by Zinhle Nene and Sculpted by Sbusiso Ndaba
From Love Art Ceramic, South Africa (2024)
Dive into the charm of the Fish Coin Dish, a delightful piece of ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African 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.