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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Tissue Box in Black Shagreen by R&Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Black Shagreen Tissue Box by R&Y Augousti is a sublime expression of modern elegance and meticulous craftsmanship. Encased in luxurious shagreen, its textured finish exudes refin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Boxes
Materials
Shagreen Stingray
Tessalated Horn Box
Located in New York, NY
Decorative keepsake document box decorated with hand applied rectangular horn pieces. A great addition to any desk, night stand, bookcase or coffee table.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Horn, Wood
Cigar Box Cylindrical for table blue enamel on guilloche Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Cylindrical table cigar box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamels on guilloché, with hinged lid. Modern contemporary style. Diameter cm. 5 height cm....
Category
1990s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
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
Agresti Lei Lui Armoire with Safe
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry armoire in matte Canaletto walnut or polished white bird’s eye maple and 24 karats gold hardware. Inside, safe with biometric o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold
Vavona Burl Walnut Wooden Irish Lady's Jewelry Casket Box by Manning Ireland New
Located in Dublin, Ireland
This Vavona Wooden Jewelry 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 woods ava...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Irish Modern Boxes
Materials
Walnut, Burl
Agresti Grande Segreto Armored Jewelry Case
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry case with pull out necklace bars. See information below for details of item variations.
Gold variation: Shiny gold steel. Inside d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass, Steel
Impressive Unique Piece Art Glass and Brass Box with Lid by Jack Ink
Located in Bochum, NRW
Amazing, large glass lidded box, by Jack Ink.
Sinuous form with shallow domed lid, ribbed wall.
Colorless glass, with inclusions and fusings. Shallow estuarine and cast brass.
Unique...
Category
1980s Austrian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Il Bauletto Jewelry Box in Briar and Mahogany
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry box in briar and mahogany, matte finish, ultra suede lining. 24-karat gold plated brass accessories. With removable tray and necklace bar.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Suede, Mahogany
$1,500 / item
21st Century Leather Rectangular Tissue Box with Chrome Profile Made in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Masterful artisanal craftsmanship.
Pinetti rectangular tissue box, made in ABS with chrome or gold finishing is covered with genuine waterproof leather and is available with gold ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Chrome
Dean Santner wood box / jewelry /decorative . Signed
By Dean Santner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful wooden box by the well known Dean Santner .
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Gioia Intreccio Contemporary Armored Jewelry Armoire Safe
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary armored jewelry armoire safe covered in white and beige threaded leather. Inside safe in shiny white. 24-karat gold-plated brass a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Birdseye Maple
Michael Aram Tooled Silver Metal, Enamel Two Part Box With Brass Flower Top
By Michael Aram
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely small round 2 part box is an early piece of the designs of MIchael Aram's work from the early 90's. It is a tooled design silver metal on the top of the box with a black...
Category
1990s Indian Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal, Brass, Enamel
Agresti Gioia Jewelry Armoire
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry armoire with inside safe. Numeric digital keypad and emergency key. Available in 4 finishing options; see information below for detail...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
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
$175,000 / item
Agresti Oro Jewelry Chest
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Lockable jewelry chest with 5 drawers, two pullout / pull-out necklace bars, and lined in ultra-suede. Accessories in 24 karats gold plated brass...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Agresti Cassette Del Tempo Chest for 9 Watches
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Chest for 9 watches. Available in elm briar or polished ebony.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
"Rettangolare" Leather Box Designed by Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Rettangolare" is a 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
1980s Modern Tessellated Stone Rectangular Lidded Box
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a modern, tessellated stone storage box attributed to Maitland Smith, circa the 1980s. This gorgeous box features a tessellated stone exterior with inlai...
Category
1980s North American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble
Arco Rutenio Contemporary Armored Jewelry Armoire Safe in Ebony finish
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Polished ebony contemporary armored armoire. Rhodium-plated accessories. Round handle with biometric opening device and emergency key integrated. Inside pullout / pull-out necklace holder...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Ebony
Agresti Arco Large 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 integrat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold Plate
Petite Abalone Box
Located in Richmond, VA
Petite abalone shell box with alpaca silver accents and dark wood interior. Stamped on base Alpaca. Made in Mexico.
Category
20th Century Mexican Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Set/2 Boxes, Aged Silver, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Madagáscar Boxes, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
Madagáscar box set includes two wooden boxes, perfect to be displayed together and e...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Hand-Blown Amber Murano Glass Box with 24 Karat Gold Flecks
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful 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 a v...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold
Tissue Box in Black Oak by R&Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Black Oak Tissue Box by R&Y Augousti epitomizes refined minimalism and luxury craftsmanship. Fashioned from premium oak, this tissue box stands as a testament to masterful handcr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood, Oak
Contemporary Bronze Ashtray, LINES by Reda Amalou, 2015
Located in Paris, FR
The solid bronze ashtray is designed with a patterned removable top. The motif used here, a repetition of lines and voids, has been developed by Reda Amalou and is used in several pieces of the Reda Amalou Collection.
The Bronze ashtray is 135 x 135 x 65mm H
This design exists also in a tiny incense...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Contemporary Bronze Incense Box or ashtray, LINES by Reda Amalou, 2020
Located in Paris, FR
The bronze incense box or ashtray is designed with a patterned removable top. The motif used here, a repetition of lines and voids, has been developed by Reda Amalou and is used in s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box with 24 Karat Gold Flecks and Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Murano Glass Jewelry Box in Crystal with 24 Karat Gold Flecks embodies elegance and sophistication with its timeless design and luxurious materials. Handcrafted on the storied is...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
"Tom" Leather Box Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Tom" is a leather box, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera, and is part of Foglia Couture collection. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Colors com...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather
Gyrowinder Watch Winder by Döttling
Located in New York, NY
Around the world, Döttling luxury safes find homes among select connoisseurs and enthusiasts of the finest locksmith artisanry. They originate from the Döttling manufactory in Sindel...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Boxes
Materials
Aluminum, Nickel
$26,000 / item
Contemporary Modern, Galata Chestnut Wood 2-Compartment Box
By DAY Studio
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Istanbul is a wooden box collection inspired by some of towns most iconic buildings: Galata Tower, Hagia Sophia and Bebek Mosque. Each item takes its name from these structures. The ...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Boxes
Materials
Chestnut
Dolcevita 40 cigars Humidor
By Maccarrone
Located in Milan, IT
From the Yacht collection, Supersport is the smallest humidor of Maccarrone's collections. Metal accessories are in chromed brass and high gloss mahog...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Polyester, Wood
$2,450 / item
Multi-Functional Cigar Humidor Cabinet, by Massimo de Munari, Handmade in Italy
By DeART
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (1.8)
Multi-functional cigar humidor and bar, Handmade in Italy
Designed by Massimo de Munari...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Ebony
Polished White Jewel Box in Bird's-Eye Maple with Gold-Plated Hardware
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Shiny white bird's-eye maple shiny jewel box with 24-karat pink gold hardware. Necklace on the top and removable tray.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Birdseye Maple
Black Walnut Sewing Box by Frank Buschmann Handcrafted with Traditional Joinery
Located in Carnota, A Coruña, Galicia
Sewing Box by Frank Buschmann – A Fusion of Craftsmanship and Innovation
This handcrafted sewing box transcends its traditional function as a mere storage solution, offering a profo...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Hardwood
Leather Jewelry Box Made in Spain, Large
Located in New York, NY
A relatively large European leather and suede jewelry box with removable tray, in the Modern style, circa late-20th century, late 1970s, Spain. Exterior is leather wrapped in a camel...
Category
Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Watch Box for Nine Watches in Polished Black with Suede and Leather
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
For your collectable watches, black polished box with suede dividers and leather handles. Box holds nine watches.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Suede, Wood
"Gioia Crema" Contemporary Armored Jewelry Armoire Safe
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Inside safe in shiny white. 24-karat gold-plated brass accessories. Made in Florence, Italy since, 1949. VAT will be applicable to sales in the UK.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Birdseye Maple
$42,000 / item
Mirror of Enchantment Classic Wall Safe
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Safe with spy glass, options of different frames. This safe can be organized to display all types of collections and valuables. The mirror reflects when of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
$45,000 / item
French Modern Zebra Hide & Leather Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Modern Zebra Hide and Leather Box
France, circa 1960s
A sleek French modern zebra hide and leather box, circa 1960s, is a sophisticated addition to any decor. The box feature...
Category
20th Century French Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Zebra Hide
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$299,000 / item
Contemporary Armored Jewelry Armoire Safe in White Maple Gioia Artico
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armoured jewelry cabinet in polished white maple, 24-karat gold-plated brass accessories. Safe can be anchored to the wall with metal screws that are supplied. Opening with digital t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Maple
Arco Contemporary Armoured Jewelry and Watch Armoire in Canaletto Walnut
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Polished walnut contemporary armored armoire. 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
Contemporary Black Armored Jewel Safe Chest with Swarovski Crystals
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry chest in black leather with Swarovski crystals. Drawers are covered with black leather, inside is lined for jewelry and watches w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Crystal, Steel
Agresti Rollo Tube Travel Case for 5 Watches
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Travel roll for 4 watches. Capacity for up to 4 watches on the adjustable roll. Available in three finishing options, see information below for details.
Brown: Brown leather and mat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Cigarette Case red lines and and hand-engraved finishing Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Vertical cigarette case in 925/1000 sterling silver with fire-enameled red stripes and hand-engraved finishing. In a modern contemporary style. Measurements cm. 6 x 2.3 cm high. 11. ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Cream Contemporary Armored Jewelry Chest Safe with Swarovski Crystals
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry chest in beige leather with Swarovski crystals. Drawers are covered with off white leather, inside is lined for jewelry and watch...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Steel
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Emerald Green with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This exquisite Murano box, hand-blown in a vibrant emerald green, is a celebration of Venetian craftsmanship and refined geometry. Its octagonal form is both striking and sculptural,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Hand-Blown Murano Giant Box in Tobacco with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This exquisite octagonal box is a celebration of bold geometry and artisanal finesse, rendered in hand-blown glass in a rich Tobacco hue. The clear-cut architectural silhouette frame...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Armored Jewel Safe Polished Carbon Fiber Front and 3 Watch Winders
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry safe covered in polished carbon front. Drawers in white leather, , inside is lined for jewelry and watches with pull out necklace holder...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Steel
Late XIXth Century Metal Safe Box
Located in Barcelona, ES
Vintage safe box manufactured by an unknown designer. Not working, to be used as a decorative case or to be restorated, Manufactured in Spain, circa...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Modern Boxes
Materials
Mirror, Wood
$2,639 Sale Price
50% Off
James Bearden Containment Box #2
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural "Containment" box, a vessel in blackened steel, dyed bronze, and red glass enamel by American artist James Bearden. Number 2 in a series. Top lifts off revealing an abstra...
Category
2010s American Modern Boxes
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Steel
Table Cigarette Case floral miniatures and inserts of gold paillons Salimbeni.
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Octagonal table cigarette case in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with external edges and fired enamels inserted in fine designs in the Baroq...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold, Gold Plate
Michael Elkan Live Edge Burl Box
Located in New York, NY
Studio craft raw edge burl box with hinged lid, which conceals 2 compartments. Signed Michael Elkan.
Category
20th Century American Modern Boxes
Materials
Burl
Italian 1960s Black Train Case in Leather
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1960s train case in leather.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Crocodile
Grand Malachite Stone Box With Brass Banding, *8.5" Round
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This is a stunning Grand Malachite Stone Box With Brass Banding,
This is quite a large box as it is 8.5" across and is 2" high.
The inside is as found witch tells me the it could b...
Category
1950s Unknown Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Malachite
$944 Sale Price
68% Off
2011 Dr. Lakra Wood Tequila Reserva De La Familia Box
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Awesome wood tequila box featuring Dr. Lakra art on every surface. Made to hold Jose Cuervo Tequila Reserva De La Familia, 2011. Very limited edition. Bo...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Set/2 Pots, Ceramic Pots, Green, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Chaucer Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes two waterproof ceramic pots with lid, perfect to be displayed together and enrich your room decor.
Each piece has its own elegant silhouette in mint-green glazed ceramic with gloss finish plus hand turned beech wood base and lid lacquered in bronze gold-powder.
Set of 2 Ceramic Pots Chaucer...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
$780 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Mother of Pearl Decorative Box
Located in New York, NY
Decorative box with hand inlaid mother of pearl shell rectangular tiles.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Boxes
Materials
Shell
Snuff Box Oval curved Green Enamel Guilloche Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Oval curved snuff-box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold-plated with translucent fired enamels on guilloché, above and below. Modern contemporary style. Size cm. 4.5 x 6.5 x 2.3. Weigh...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
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.