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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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
Neon Pink Acrylic Christmas Tree Decor 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

Blue Ocean Humidor
Located in Milan, IT
This iconic humidor is part of Maccarone's Yacht collection and can hold up to 150 cigars. Metal accessories in chromed brass and high gloss mahogany and mapl...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass

Blue Ocean Humidor
Blue Ocean Humidor
$9,804 / item
Gioia Rutenio Contemporary Armored Jewelry Armoire Safe in Ebony
Located in New York, NY
Polished ebony contemporary armored armoire. Matte finish, ruthenium accessories. Inside drawers for jewelry, with fronts covered in white leather. Safe can be anchored to the wall w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Ebony

Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Spotted Jet Black & Clear Glass Box w/ Brass Fitting
Located in New York, NY
This chic and sophisticated Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Box in Spotted Jet Black & Clear Glass W/Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. Features a rectil...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass

Arco Contemporary Armoured Jewelry and Watch Armoire in Canaletto Walnut
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

21st Century Leather Cigar Ashtray Handcrafted in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
For poker nights. A Compact design with a single cigar rest, this piece serves both as an ashtray and support for the cigar. It is made out of polished stee...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Metal

Agresti Rollo Tube Travel Case for 5 Watches
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

Hermès Paris Ormolu and Carnelian Enamel Pill / Trinket Box, 1960s-1980s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Hermès Paris Ormolu and Carnelian Enamel Pill/Trinket Box, Made in France, circa 1960s–1980s A chic and finely crafted round Hermès Paris box in ormolu with a striking carnelian-red...
Category

20th Century French Modern Boxes

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Agresti Bacco E Tabacco Bar Armoire
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

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

Supersport 40 Cigars Humidor
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 grey ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Polyester, Wood

Glaciar Small Silver Alpaca & White Onyx Stone Box
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Glaciar collection is meticulously handcrafted by our local artisans with these rectangular onyx pieces set around alpaca silver flower vases, boxes and trays. Our pieces are made...
Category

2010s South American Modern Boxes

Materials

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Tafi Medium Onyx Oval Box
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Tafi oval box, it is made entirely by hand in alpaca metal and onyx stone. It comes in three different sizes and you can choose between four different onyx stone colors: black, white/cream, blue or bordeaux Our pieces are made by hand. One of a kind. All natural stones may vary in color. About AIREDELSUR: With its rustic chic personality and the elegant designs of Marcelo Lucini...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Boxes

Materials

Stone, Onyx

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

Luxury Exotic Wood and Bronze Dugout by William Stuart for Costantini Design
Located in New York, NY
Luxury Exotic Wood and Bronze Dugout by William Stuart for Costantini Design 3.75" H x 1.75 W x 0.5" D Costantini founder William Stuart has bough...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Boxes

Materials

Bronze

21st Century Leather Origami Box for Closet & Wardrobe Handcrafted in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Our Origami box is an endlessly useful complement for a master closet. Two sizes ideal for organizing your interior. Made with eco-friendly, washable an...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Leather

Contemporary Modern, Aya Chestnut Wood 2-Compartment Box
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

Modernist Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Smoked Bronze with Brass Detailing
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

Murano Glass

Classic Midcentury Modern Sterling Silver Box by Poole
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Modern sterling silver box. Made by Poole in Taunton, Mass. Rectangular with straight sides and lobed bracket feet applied at corners. Cover hinged and curved. Box interio...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

American Modern Sterling Silver Box by Ubaldo Vitali for Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver box. Long and rectangular with straight sides and sharp corners; cover hinged with overhanging rim and gently curved top. Box interior cedar lined and partitioned. Cover interior gilt. Nice proportions. Plenty of room for engraving. Fully marked including maker’s (Ubaldo...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Contemporary Modern, Bebek Chestnut Wood Single-Compartment Box
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

Cuscino Radica Brown Leather Watch Case
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

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

20th Century Tessellated Bone Trinket Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
An elegant modern style tessellated bone trinket box with black felt-lined interior. Mostly cream in color, but does have hints of light pink througho...
Category

20th Century Philippine Modern Boxes

Materials

Bone, Felt

Ceramic Bird Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Succulent Bird Jewelry Box Hand Painted by Winnie Mchunu and Sculpted by Motsamai Sello The Succulent Bird Jewelry Box is a stunning ceramic art piece ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Giant Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Ruby with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Discover the epitome of elegance with this exquisite Murano glass box, meticulously crafted in Murano, Italy. Available in both large and giant sizes, this box exudes sophistication ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass

Ceramic Protea Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Protea Butterfly Jewelry Box Hand-Painted by Minenhle Nene, Sculpted by Sbusiso Ndaba Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2024 The Protea Butterfly Jewelry Box is a stunning fusion of n...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

1980s Modernist White and Pink Lucite and Silver Italian Rectangular Vanity Box
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This italian Vanity Box encapsulates the exuberance and style of its era, offering a compelling synthesis of form, function, and aesthetic appeal. It serves as both a practical stora...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Silver

Macassar Wood Hand-Carved Horse Head Tall Box
By Bois & Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
This strikingly tall decorative lidded box is a testament to artisanal craftsmanship, crowned with a masterfully carved horse head that serves as both handle and sculptural focal poi...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Boxes

Materials

Wood, Macassar

Ceramic Spider 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 artisans at Love Art Ceramic. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Grey with 24 Karat Gold Flecks
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This is a sophisticated and elegant piece that combines modern design elements with the timeless allure of Murano glass. Handcrafted on the historic Venetian island of Murano, this b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

21st Century Leather Rectangular Tissue Box with Chrome Profile Made in Italy
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

Ghidini 1961 Knotted Cherry Medium Box in Brass by Nika Zupanc
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Fiasco. Guilt. Fear of love. A place to hide all the things we secretly desire yet are too scared to utter. The luscious things the perfect lover knows are never to be told. She drea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass

Polished Briarwood and Mahogany Jewel Box with Gold-Plated Hardware
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

Table box Four-leaf clover fired enamel on a radial guilloché Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Four-leaf clover shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on a radial guilloché. Modern contemporary style. Dimensions cm. 17 x 17 x 3.5...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Agresti Il Mio Tempo Chest for 28 Watches
Located in New York, NY
Lockable chest for 28 watches on holders and laying down. Available in briar or polished ebony.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Wood

Ceramic Protea Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Protea, Butterfly Jewelry Box Hand Painted by Jabu Nene and Sculpted by Sbusiso Ndaba from Love Art Ceramic This enchanting Protea, Butterfly Jewelry Box is a testament to the vibra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Blue Acrylic Small Round Box 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

Pill Box Sterling Silver with Sailboat Hand-Painted with Fired Enamel
Located in Firenze, FI
Portapillole rotondo in argento sterling 925/1000 placcato oro. Portapillole in Argento Sterling con miniatura di barca a vela smaltata e dipinta a mano. Stile inglese primi del XX ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

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

Set Tronador Large Mini Boxes, Onyx Stone and Silver Alpaca
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

Box, Bulgari Watch Case, Black Leather with Cardboard Box, 1990.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Box, Bulgari watch case, black leather with cardboard box, 1990. Case, Bulgari watch box, very good condition, black leather box with cardboard box,...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Boxes

Materials

Leather

Porteño Medium Black & Cream Hand Painted Wood Box
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The urban and cosmopolitan Porteño family carries the spirit of the ones born in Buenos Aires city or “Porteño”, as they are commonly known. Its boxes, trays and flower vases have a ...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Boxes

Materials

Wood

Tafi Large Onyx Oval Box
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Tafi oval box, it is made entirely by hand in alpaca metal and onyx stone. It comes in three different sizes and you can choose between four different onyx stone colors: black, white/cream, blue or bordeaux Our pieces are made by hand. One of a kind. All natural stones may vary in color. About AIREDELSUR: With its rustic chic personality and the elegant designs of Marcelo Lucini...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Boxes

Materials

Stone, Onyx

Turquoise Acrylic Large Round Box 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

"David" Leather Box Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"David" is a leather box, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera, made of genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Colors combination to be chosen from the ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Leather

American Midcentury Modern Sterling Silver Desk Box
By Andrew A. Taylor
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Modern sterling silver desk box. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with gently curved top and molded rim. Box interior cedar-lined and partitioned. Fully marke...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tiffany & Co., Sterling Silver Ball/Sphere/Jewelry Box, Modern, Marked
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very pretty sterling silver Tiffany & Co. jewelry ball, box, number 35378 Weighted, 7.
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Dean Santner wood box / jewelry /decorative . Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful wooden box by the well known Dean Santner .
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Boxes

Materials

Wood

Agresti Segreto Armored Jewelry Case
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry case with pullout / pull-out necklace bars. See information below for details of item variations. Gold variation: Shiny gold stee...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass, Steel

Porteño Small Black & Cream Hand Painted Wood Box
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The urban and cosmopolitan Porteño family carries the spirit of the ones born in Buenos Aires city or “Porteño”, as they are commonly known. Its boxes, trays and flower vases have a ...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Boxes

Materials

Wood

Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Octagonal Glass Box in Emerald w/ Brass Fittings
Located in New York, NY
This beautifully colored and elegant Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Octagonal Glass Box in Emerald W/Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. Features an octagonal ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass

Bone, Horn Patchwork Box
Located in New York, NY
Decorative keepsake, jewelry box clad in geometric horn and bone tiles, some with hand engraving, lined in wood. A great addition to any desk or coffee table.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Boxes

Materials

Bone, Horn, Wood

21st Century Leather Eyeglasses Box Cover with Mirror Handcrafed in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Combining tradition and modern design to provide an unmistakable flair of luxury and elegance. Our glasses box has a wood base and enough space to store up to eight pairs of glass...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Leather, Wood

21st Century Kelly Decorative Hexagonal Box in Leather Handcrafed in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
The refinement of resin meets the softness of italian leather. An elegant lid with a mother of pearl look beautifully complete the hexagonal bases fully covered inside and outside...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Leather, Wood, Resin

Bijoux Jewelry Chest in Briar and Mahogany
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry chest in briar and mahogany, matte finish, ultrasuede lining, 24 karats gold plated brass accessories. With necklace bars, lockable doors and 6 drawers. Adjustable mirror on ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Suede, Mahogany

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

Porteño Large Black & Cream Hand Painted Wood Box
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The urban and cosmopolitan Porteño family carries the spirit of the ones born in Buenos Aires city or “Porteño”, as they are commonly known. Its boxes, trays and flower vases have a ...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Boxes

Materials

Wood

Contemporary American Modern Seashell Music Box / Jewelry Box
Located in Queens, NY
Contemporary American Modern music box / jewelry box with an exterior finished in beige and pink speckled seashells, which opens along a hinged edge to a red velvet interior, with a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes

Materials

Coral

Ceramic Fish Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
The Fish Novelty Box by Love Art Ceramic is a charming testament to South Africa's vibrant artistic tradition. Hand-sculpted by Sondelani Ntshalintshali and meticulously hand-painted...
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.

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