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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
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
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
20th Century Italian Silver Box Embossed and Chiselled by Hand Acorn Shape
Located in VALENZA, IT
Decorative acorn-shaped 800 solid silver box.
The body of the box is round and has been embossed and chiseled with the typical grain of the acorn.
The lid, larger than the body, perfectly follows the domed shape of the oak fruit...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Pair of Smoky Rock Crystal Quartz Lamps with Silvered Wood Bases
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of smoky rock crystal quartz lamps with silvered wood bases. The rock crystal is hand-cut and hand-polished into geometric shapes. When the lamps are lit the smoky rock c...
Category
20th Century French Modern Boxes
Materials
Rock Crystal, Quartz
Jewelry Box by Studio Superego Unique Piece, Italy
Located in Milan, Italy
Transparent plexiglass jewelry box with semiprecious stones designed by Studio Superego for Superego Editions, in 2013. Unique piece.
Biography
S...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Quartz, Malachite, Amethyst, Agate
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
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
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
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Italian Mushroon shape Silver Box. Embosse and chiselled by hand
Located in VALENZA, IT
Decorative silver 800 mushroom shape box,
The body is embossed and cheased completely by hand.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver
20th Century Italian Mushroom shape Silver Box. Enbossed and chiselled by hand
Located in VALENZA, IT
Decorative silver 800 mushroom shape box.
The body is embossed and cheased completely by hand.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver
Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Casket
Located in New York, NY
Maitland Smith style Modern bone tessellated large casket box case with wood paneled interior. 10" H x 15" W x 10" D. In good condition.
Dealer: S138XX.
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Boxes
Materials
Bone, Wood
Burl Walnut Thuya Wood Handmade Jewelry Casket Box Manning of Ireland Irish New
Located in Dublin, Ireland
This rare North African Thuya Wood Jewellery Casket was manufactured by the famed manning of Ireland company and is truly a jewel of handcrafted genius. This box is constructed of th...
Category
Early 2000s Irish Modern Boxes
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Rosewood Mahogany Ladys Handmade Jewelry Casket Box by Manning Ireland Irish New
Located in Dublin, Ireland
This well figured Rosewood jewellery casket was manufactured by the famed manning of Ireland company and is truly a jewel of handcrafted genius. This box is constructed of the finest...
Category
Early 2000s Irish Modern Boxes
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Hand-made ceramic Beetle Box by South African artist
Located in North Miami, FL
This Beetle Box was hand sculpted by the renowned artisan Sbusiso Ndaba and beautifully painted by Sabelo Nene both from South Africa. This exquisite cerami...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Hand made ceramic Hoopoe Jewelry Box made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
This Hoopoe Box was hand sculpted by the renowned artisan Sbusiso Ndaba and beautifully painted by Ntokozo Nene both from South Africa. This exquisite ceramic creation stands 5 inche...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Postmodern Marble Box circa 1980
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Postmodern Lidded Marble Box circa 1980.
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble
Ginori 1735 "Totem" Tiger Round Box , Italy, 2023
Located in Cagliari, IT
In this elegant box, the colors cobalt blue, orange, gray and black are perfectly harmonized with gold.
A symbol of strength, courage, determination, and independence, the tiger is k...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
David Linley London Marquetry Watch and Cufflink Jewelry Box with Key
Located in Cathedral City, CA
This is a gorgeous wood marquetry watch and cufflink jewelry box with silver inlay made by London producer of fine luxury goods, Linley. This fine box would make an excellent gift fo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver, Brass
Enameled Ceramic Box by Marion De Crecy, circa 1975
Located in New York City, NY
Enameled Ceramic Box by Marion De Crecy, France, c. 1975
Enameled Ceramic Lid and Black Wooden Under Box.
Category
20th Century French Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Maitland Smith Exceptional Lidded Box in Tessellated Fossilized Coral 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Large beautifully crafted hinged box in tessellated fossilized coral with brass inlays around top by Maitland Smith The Phillippines 1980's. Interior is wood. This box would be a bea...
Category
1980s Philippine Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Coral, Brass
Art Deco Style Wood Cigar Cigarette Humidor Box Manning of Ireland Irish New
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning French polished flame Mahogany wood 1950s style ladies or gentleman's flat topped Cigar Humidor of outstanding quality and generous proportions made by Irish maker Manning of Ireland...
Category
20th Century Irish Modern Boxes
Materials
Cedar
Winslow Box in Natural and Black Bone by CuratedKravet
Located in Woodbury, NY
A bone box featuring a contrasting dot pattern.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Boxes
Materials
Bone
Giobagnara Contemporary Firenze Leather and Bronze Metal Bathroom Vanity Set
By Giobagnara
Located in Glasgow, GB
Firenze bathroom set by Giobagnara. In leather, brass, and black bronze.
This luxurious bathroom set comprises of a soap dispenser with pump head mechanism, toothbrush holder, tissue box cover, lidded dish, and bath bin.
The objects, are made in solid brass, with the external detailing finished in a black bronze tone. The items come with a non-slip and waterproof rubber base.
Each item is lined outside with a striated textured leather and features stitched detailing around the edges. This set is handmade by expert craftsmen in Italy using the finest materials, a wonderful example of function and luxury which typifies the Giobagnara brand.
An elegant addition to a classic bathroom...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Giobagnara Contemporary Firenze Leather and Black Metal Bathroom Vanity Set
By Giobagnara
Located in Glasgow, GB
Firenze bathroom set by Giobagnara. In leather, brass, and black bronze.
This luxurious bathroom set comprises of a soap dispenser with pump head mechanism, toothbrush holder, and a tissue box cover.
The objects, are made in solid brass, with the external detailing finished in a black bronze tone. The items come with a non-slip and waterproof rubber base.
Each item is lined outside with a calfskin ' Bellagio' leather; which is texture like basketweave, and features stitched detailing around the edges. This set is handmade by expert craftsmen in Italy using the finest materials, a wonderful example of function and luxury which typifies the Giobagnara brand.
An elegant addition to a classic bathroom...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Chrome Plated Bath Bin's with Swarovski Crystal Lid Zodiac London
Located in Glasgow, GB
Square bathroom Bin in Chrome and Swarovski Crystal by Zodiac London
Contemporary style square bathroom bin comprised of solid brass walls which have b...
Category
2010s English Modern Boxes
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Chrome
Pair of Square-Shaped Zinc Pots 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of square-shaped zinc pots decorated with hemi-spheres on the surface. 1950s. Measures: 46X46X44 CM
good condition.
Category
20th Century Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Zinc
Italian Fish Box
Located in Richmond, VA
Rare, vintage blown glass hinged box in a fish shape with stripe detail. ?Made in Murano, Italy.
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Blown Glass
Distressed Cognac Leather Wrapped Sectioned Box Piel Canela Juarez Mexico City
By Hermès
Located in Chula Vista, CA
In the style of HERMES distressed leather wrapped box in Cognac Carmel color.
Handcrafted by Piel Canela. Label present. Juarez Mexico City.
Interior features sectioned compartment...
Category
1980s Mexican Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather
Midcentury Blue Ceramic Jewelry Decorative Colored Box by Soleil Claire Debril
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Claire Debril (Claire Soleil)
Elegant and rare midcentury blue ceramic box.
Decorative art for jewelry box.
Signed under the base.
Perfect conditon.
Dimensions: 22 x 1...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Lacquered Shell and Bone Tapered Sarcophagus Box, by Maitland- Smith
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lacquered Shell and Bone Tapered Sarcophagus Box, by Maitland- Smith
When art meets functionality, you get pieces like the Lacquered Shell and Bone Ta...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Boxes
Materials
Bone, Lacquer
Zinc and Calfskin Trash Bin, ERIK GUSTAFSON
Located in New York, NY
Made from a combination of calfskin and zinc, this is a unique edition from Erik Gustafson.
Gustafson’s inspiration stems from a love of the history of art, architecture and desig...
Category
2010s American Modern Boxes
Materials
Zinc
Calf Skin and Wormy Butternut Trash Bin, ERIK GUSTAFSON
Located in New York, NY
Made from calf skin and wormy butternut wood, this is a unique edition from Erik Gustafson. Customizable with worminess variable from piece to piece.
Gus...
Category
2010s American Modern Boxes
Materials
Animal Skin, Wood
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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