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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Knotted Tissue Box Caramel Home Office Accessories By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Description: Tissue box
Color: Caramel
Size: 27.5 x 15.5 x 7.9 H cm
Material: PU
Collection: Knotted.
Category
2010s Thai Modern Boxes
Materials
Faux Leather
Set/2 Pineapple Ceramic Pots, Black, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pineapple Decorative Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
This beautiful set includes two waterproof ceramic pots with lid, perfect t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold
Alexandra Von Furstenberg Acrylic Treasure Box in Red - Large Storage Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add a bold pop of modern glamour to your space with this acrylic treasure box by Alexandra Von Furstenberg, featuring a striking Red. Made from high-quality Lucite, this chic decorat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Alexandra Von Furstenberg Acrylic Treasure Box in Pink - Large Storage Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add a bold pop of modern glamour to your space with this acrylic treasure box by Alexandra Von Furstenberg, featuring a striking hot Pink. Made from high-quality Lucite, this chic de...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Square Brown Leather Box
Located in Queens, NY
Square brown wood box covered in fur with a lift-off cover.
Category
20th Century American Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood, Fur, Leather
Soleil Box by Greg Natale
By Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
The unique Solar collection conjures the spirit of the mystical universe. Natale’s solar candles encompass mysticism and pairs it with clean architectural lines in an evocative and e...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
$90 / item
Hand-Blown Murano Giant Box in Emerald Green with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
An object of striking allure, this monumental Murano glass box radiates refinement through its sculptural geometry and richly saturated emerald hue. The clarity of the hand-blown cry...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
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!
Marke...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Pottery
Christofle K&T Silver-Plate 3 Tier Cantilever Box 90's Desk Accessory
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous signed Christofle 3-tiered silver-plate box, desk accessory, cocktail table addition and or barware, serving piece cantilevers out. It was designed by KT Studio in 1998...
Category
1990s French Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
Ceramic succulent Plant With Bird Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Succulent, Bird Jewelry Box
Hand-Painted by Zinhle Nene & Sculpted by Motsamai Sello
Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2024
The Succulent, Bird Jewelry B...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Lg Alessendro Albrizzi Faceted Lucite Gem Ice Bucket or Candy Container
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A beautiful luxurious octagonal faceted Gem Lucite ice bucket or candy container with swiveling lid and brass machined hinge pin. The inside is perfectly bowled out measuring 8.5", a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Lucite
Set/2 Wooden Boxes, Beige, Gold Leaf, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Dandara Boxes, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
Dandara box set includes two wooden boxes, perfect to be displayed together and enrich ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal, Gold Leaf, Brass
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
Tempo di Rovere Watch Box for Nine Watches in Oak Smoke Grey
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Chest with two drawers for 9 watches in smoke grey oak. Red ultrasuede internal lining and handles in red leather.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Karl Springer Lidded Box with Artisan Lacquered Exterior 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Exquisitely hand-lacquered lidded box with wood motif exterior and interior covered in beige suede by Karl Springer, American 1970's. This box is meticulously crafted. Springer had...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Suede, Wood, Lacquer
Cloutier brother box
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Charmante boîte par les frères Cloutier, signées.
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
$1,637
Grey, Red Bone Tile Box
Located in New York, NY
Hand Crafted keepsake/desk box featuring hand cut and polished grey and red bone tiles over a wood box.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Boxes
Materials
Bone, Wood
Vintage Gucci Makeup Box Lipstick Vault Beveled Mirror
By Gucci
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Gucci Lipstick Vault Box Beveled mirror
19.5 w x 9.5 d x 2.5 h
Box only. Worn used preowned vintage condition
Refer to images
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Mirror, Paper
Studio Pottery Storage or Vase Vessel with Lid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A black Glazed Studio pottery piece with lid that works well as a vase or could be used on a desk or work station to hold pens, papers or e...
Category
20th Century Modern Boxes
Materials
Pottery
Egidio Broggi, Italy Silver Plate and Gold Plate Swirled Box, circa 1980
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a fantastic silver plate decorative box created by Italian designer Egidio Broggi, Milano. The rare piece was crafted in Italy circa 1980. This impressive box features an ove...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal, Silver Plate
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
Modern Serving Tray Calacatta Marble Cork Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Antuã serving tray, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
A sublime serving tray, Antuã was design to uplift layback moments.
A rectang...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble, Onyx
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
Orange, Natural Bone Cheveron Box
Located in New York, NY
Cheveron patterned keepsake, letter box made from dyed orange and natural bone. Box has a wood lining.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Bone, Palmwood
Alfred Dunhill Germany 1990 Decorative Desk Box In Black Leather & Chromed Steel
By Dunhill
Located in Miami, FL
Desk box designed by Dunhill.
Beautiful decorative vintage desk box, created in Germany for Alfred Dunhill, back in the 1990. It was made up in shiny black leather with a discrete f...
Category
1990s German Modern Boxes
Materials
Steel, Chrome
$348 Sale Price / item
30% Off
Piccolo Intreccio Armored Armoire Braided Gold and Black Leather
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry cabinet covered in gold and black hand threaded leather. Varnished outside in metallic gold color. Accessories in 24 karats gold plated brass. Drawers covered in blac...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal
Contemporary Handmade Square Box "Elaphos" in Marble and Brass Handle by Anaktae
By ANAKTAE
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary, handcrafted, square jewelry box, model "Elaphos" in marble with a deer-shaped handle in cast oxidized brass. Interior suede lining.
Va...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
Ceramic Bird Protea Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Protea Bird Jewelry Box
Hand Painted by Jabu and Sculpted by Sbusiso
The Protea Bird Jewelry Box is a beautifully crafted ceramic art piece from Love Art Ceramic, created by the tal...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Mirror of Enchantment Classic Wall Safe with 3 Watch Winders
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
Watch Box for Five Watches in Polished Black with Ultrasuede Detail
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Box in polished wood for five watches lined in protective ultrasuede. Hinge in Ruthenium. Box only: watches are not included.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Maison Lancel Paris Chrome Decorative Lidded Box
By Lancel Paris
Located in Atlanta, GA
Maison Lancel Paris designed this stunning lidded box. The piece was crafted in France circa 1980. The minimalist rectangular shape has a sleek design with polished chromed metal com...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Ceramic Protea With Bird Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Protea, Hoopoe Jewelry Box
Hand-Painted by Zinhle Nene & Sculpted by Sbusiso Ndaba
Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2024
The Protea, Hoopoe Jewelry Box is a stunning work of ceramic ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Set/2 Boxes, White and Light-Blue, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Lanzarote Boxes, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
Lanzarote box set includes two wooden boxes, perfect to be displayed together and enr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold Leaf
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
Watch Box for Five Watches in Smoke Grey Oak, Red Ultrasuede Detail
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Box in polished wood for five watches lined in protective ultrasuede. Hinge in Ruthenium. Box only: watches are not included.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Karl Springer "Molding Box" in Multicolor Lacquers 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Hinged “Molding Box” with multi-colored lacquer design and dark green suede interior by Karl Springer, American 1970's. Springer’s superb lacquer work and attention to detail make t...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Chrome
Arco Metal Safe in White
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Metal safe varnished only in front for recessed placement in existing furniture. Round handle with biometric opening device and emergency key integrated. Se...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal
$33,000 / item
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Emerald Green with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Hand-Blown Murano Box in Emerald Green with Brass Fittings captures the allure of old-world Venetian artistry reimagined through a lens of bold, contemporary refinement. Rich eme...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Tea Caddy - Elie Bleu Paris
By Elie Bleu
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful vintage tea caddy, made by the French brand Elie Bleu Paris.
The box is made of beautifully veneered / greened wood with black piping. Th...
Category
Early 2000s French Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
Modern Serving Tray Calacatta Marble Cork Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Guadiana serving tray, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
A sublime serving tray, Guadiana was designed to uplift layback moments.
A rec...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble
Watch Box for Nine Watches in Briar with Leather Detail
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Elm briar and striped mahogany for your collectable watches. Leather handles. Briar box for nine watches.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Il Confanetto Rosso Matte Jewel Box in Smoke Grey Oak
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry box with removable tray, lockable, lined for earrings, rings, necklaces. Smoke grey oak and red ultrasuede internal lining.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Oak
1980s Tavola Oggetti Rectangular Marble Jewelry Box
By Oggetti
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a vintage, sleek, pair of polished stone bookends, circa the 1970s. This set is constructed of solid, heavy-weight marble and skillfully hand-cut and ha...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble
Shagreen & Sycamore Bubble Box
By Boucher & Co
Located in Queensland, AU
This elegant jewellery box from the Boucher & Co Collection was completely handmade in the Boucher & Co workrooms in Toowoomba, Australia.
The design of this special piece was insp...
Category
2010s Australian Modern Boxes
Materials
Nickel
$8,160 Sale Price
20% Off
Walnut Matte Chest
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Polished walnut armoured chest, matte finish, 24 karats gold plated accessories. Round handle with biometric opening device and emergency key integrated. Inside pull out necklace hol...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Walnut
$32,000 / item
Rare Maitland-Smith Oversized Tessellated Marble Stone Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
Maitland-Smith designed this spectacular lidded box. The piece was crafted circa 1980. The box features a tessellated marble, stone, travertine, and brass composition. The pyramidal ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Stone, Travertine, Marble, Metal, Brass
Albert Dahan for Vallauris, Unique Lidded Box in Glazed Stoneware, Ca 1970
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Albert Dahan for Vallauris. Unique lidded chest in glazed stoneware.
Beautiful glaze in shades of blue.
Ca. 1970.
Measures: 21 x 16 cm.
Height: 13.5 cm.
In excellent condition...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Stoneware
$880 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Horn Mosaic Decorative Jewelry Cigarette Box Art Deco Modernist Style
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This elegant decorative box showcases a striking geometric mosaic design crafted from natural horn, creating a sophisticated Art Deco meets Modernist aesthetic. The box features a se...
Category
2010s Unknown Modern Boxes
Materials
Horn
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Ruby with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Ruby with Brass Fittings is a radiant celebration of color, craftsmanship, and Italian elegance. Meticulously hand-blown in Murano, this striking piece showc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Ceramic Box by Nanni Valentini for Ceramica Arcore, Italy, 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Ceramic box by Nanni Valentini for Ceramica Arcore.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Hand-Built Glazed Ceramic Jewelry Box with Drawers, Florida Artist Rexx Fischer
Located in Miami, FL
Hand-Built Glazed Ceramic Jewelry Box with Drawers, Florida Artist Rexx Fischer
Offered for sale is a hand-made glazed ceramic jewelry box ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic, Felt
Black Polished Chest for 28 Watches
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Chest in black polished wood. A lockable box for 28 watches.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
$3,500 / item
Black Ebony Polished Wood Box for 24 Cufflinks with Leather Detail
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Box for 24 pairs of cufflinks in black polished wood with leather handles.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Ken Beldin, Wood, Copper, Ceramic, Primitive Art, Jewelry Box
By Ken Beldin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful jewelry box by the known American artist Ken Belgian. He worked in Taxco, Mexico in a modern/primitive style craft . This wooden box ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Modern Boxes
Materials
Copper
Roma Cigar Case with Ashtray
By Morici
Located in Milan, IT
A singular piece from the Roma Collection, this cigar case boasts a practical and stylish design equipped with a handprinted ceramic ashtray. Masterfully handcrafted of cedar, it combines an ebony and a walnut veneer enriched with a splendid inlay work of a tobacco leaf marking the curved and polished top. Adorned with a small metal key, the piece is also equipped with a hygrometer and Boveda holder. Available with a wooden case upholstered with eco-leather, please ask the Concierge for details. This box is supplied with an handmade wooden suitcase...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal
$3,490 / item
JEWELRY CASE - GALUCHARME GALUCHARME genuine leather shagreen light pink
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Design Modern and precious coating merge in this box shaped like a small trunk that opens to show cigarettes, or playing cards, or even favorite jewelry.
Part of the exclusive G...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Maitland Smith Leather Wrapped Lidded Jewelry Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maitland Smith brown leather decoration embellished with an embossed silver tone pattern, interior lined with brown lacquer.
Category
1980s Philippine Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Fabric
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
$43,700 / item
Ceramic Pomegranate Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Pomegranate, Butterfly Jewelry Box
Discover the captivating "Pomegranate, Butterfly Jewelry Box," a remarkable piece of ceramic art crafted in South Africa by the creative minds 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.