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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Cuscino Rosso Watch Case Black Leather
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Travel leather watch case with polished red briar sides. It contains 1 watch in the adjustable leather support.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
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
Lacquer, Wood
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
Ceramic Protea Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Protea Jewelry Box
Hand Painted by Jabu Nene, Sculpted by Sbusiso Ndaba
Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2024
The Protea Jewelry Box is a captivating piece of ceramic art that beauti...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Cabbage Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Cabbage Jewelry Box
Hand-Painted by Minenhle Nene, Sculpted by Sbusiso Ndaba
Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2024
The Cabbage Jewelry Box is a captivating piece of ceramic art that celebrates the charm of nature through a playful yet elegant design. Standing 8 inches high, 5 inches long, and 5 inches wide, this unique box...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Protea And Butterfly Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Protea Butterfly Jewelry Box
Introducing the Protea Butterfly Jewelry Box, a captivating ceramic piece crafted by Love Art Ceramic in South Afric...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
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
Arnoldo Pomodoro Bronze Sculptural Italian Two Part Box Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This sculptural hallmarked fantastic signed Italian vintage bronze 2-part box is by Arnaldo Pomodoro. It has abstract raised forms on top giving both an organic and artistic textural elements. There were 4 different boxes ever done. Pomodoro is a very noted sculptor. The Pomodoro brothers were jewelers before they were sculptors as finely eminent in their work. This is a heavy box of art, sculpture and beauty. It is rectangular and is signed Pomodoro Il Sestante. This is beyond fabulous. It is our favorite special box in our collection. We have had it polished. A piece de resistance no doubt. These boxes are hard to come by now and are very collected. It is from the 1970s. This makes a very special desk accessory bronze...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Ebony and leather Millemiglia watch box with embroidery Giordano Viganò
Located in Novedrate, IT
The Millemiglia watch case is an elegant box that combines ebony and leather and can hold 3 watches.
The exterior is made of Macassar Ebony, a fine dark-colored wood with dense amber...
Category
2010s European Modern Boxes
Materials
Ebony
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
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
Pietra Box Verde & Irish Green by Greg Natale
By Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
Carved from one of four types of authentic marble, the Pietra Box presents a playful fusion of classic materials and modern design. With a complementary stone handle, this decorative...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble
Set/2 Pineapple Ceramic Pots, White, 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 wa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold
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
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
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
Paw Jar with Brass Inlay by Marcantonio
Located in Kolkata, IN
Paw Jar is a delightful object from the Forest collection. It has intricate brass and resin inlay in blue and pink, with an endearing leafy lid.
For his debut creations, Marcanton...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Ceramic Protea jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
This ceramic protea box is a stunning testament to the artistry of South African craftsmanship. Handmade and painted with meticulous detail, it captures the beauty of the iconic prot...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
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
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
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
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-Fra...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Boxes
Materials
Enamel
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
Armored Watch Chest in Black, Nine Watch Winders Il Forziere Delle Ore Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Agresti Il Forziere Delle Ore armored Chests for 9 Winders. Two variations available, please see information below for details.
Ebony: Armoire in polished ebony with safe, anchorable to the wall. Biometric opening device and emergency key system. Watch winders entirely made in Switzerland. Secret compartment, inside lined in ultrasuede. Safe covered with polished ebony and black leather. Bulletproof glass...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Watch Box in Black Polished Ebony for Ten Watches La Teca Del Tempo
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Polished black box for 15 watches with ruthenium plated brass.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Ghirò Studio Jewel Box in Brass and Glass, 2019
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant jewelry box signed by the artist Ghirò Studio of Milan. The jewelry box is made of solid glass cut, carved and polished by hand in an elegant covered bowl. Cast brass tie...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
"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
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
Black Stripes Ziggurat Boxes by Oeuffice
By Oeuffice
Located in Geneve, CH
Black stripes ziggurat boxes by Oeuffice
Edition: 12 + 2AP
2012
Dimensions: 25 x 25 x 55 cm
Materials: Wood box, acrylic, solid stained wood.
The ...
Category
2010s English Modern Boxes
Materials
Acrylic, Wood
Opinion Ciatti Snow.White Object Holder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Snow.White, an elegant object holder (available in black or white marble) with an inner mirror and details in galvanic gold brass. Part of Once Upon A Time, the collection designed b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble
Fibra Large Basket by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Fibra large basket by Sebastian Herkner
Materials: 100% Esparto grass.
Technique: hand-woven in Colombia.
Dimensions: diameter 60 cm x wide 45 x height...
Category
2010s German Modern Boxes
Materials
Natural Fiber
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
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
Small Porcelain Pot, Design Vintage 1960.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Small Porcelain Pot, Design Vintage 1960.
Vintage small porcelain pot, design, circa 1960, brand Homas, Germany.
h: 9cm , d: 9cm
Category
20th Century German Modern Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Secret Watch Jewellery and Pen Display Box. Macassar Ebony leather and Shagreen.
By Boucher & Co
Located in Queensland, AU
This intriguing box of drawers has four very secret, independent, opening mechanisms and provides storage for watches, jewellery including rings, cufflinks and earrings. It was cre...
Category
2010s Australian Modern Boxes
Materials
Nickel
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
Ceramic Chameleon Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Protea, Chameleon Jewelry Box
Hand-Painted by Slindelo Mazibuko, Sculpted by Sfiso Mvelase
Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2024
Introducing the ench...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
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
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
Continental Silver Filigree Decorative Flower Box
Located in London, GB
A continental silver filigree decorative flower box
Continental, Early 20th Century
10cm high x 11cm wide x 7cm deep.
This delicate and charming piece,...
Category
20th Century European Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver
Minimal design pear wood desk pen box Giordano Viganò
Located in Novedrate, IT
Pen box made of pear wood with a minimalist design. Pear wood has a pinkish color and is distinguished by fine, delicate grain that makes it elegant. The construction of this box is ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Pearwood
Ceramic Pomegranate And Flamingo Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing the exquisite "Pomegranate, Flamingo Jewelry Box," a stunning piece of ceramic art from South Africa, meticulously crafted in 2024 by the ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
GAME CARD HOLDER - CIGARETTE HOLDER made of genuine shagreen bluette
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Design Modern and valuable skin come together in this box in the shape of pannier, ideal for guard playing cards, cigarettes, or again, small jewelry.
Part of the exclusive ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Modernist Long and Flat Lucite Box, circa 1980
Located in Atlanta, GA
This modernist lidded box from the 1980s is made from Lucite. The stunning piece features an extra long and flat rectangular shape with an intricate clear and frosted geometric desig...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Lucite, Plexiglass
Peachy Pink Pearlized Jewelry or Trinket Box
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful peachy pink pearlized veneered decorative, jewelry, vanity or trinket box, with a wood interior.
Dimensions: 4.13" Depth x 6.19" Width
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Boxes
Materials
Laminate, Wood
Ceramic Protea Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Protea Jewelry Box
The Protea Jewelry Box is a breathtaking ceramic decorative art piece that beautifully encapsulates the essence of South Africa’s rich biodiversity. Crafted by Lov...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Zebra Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Zebra Jewelry Box
Hand-Painted by Zimhle & Sculpted by Sbusiso
Love Art Ceramic, South Africa
Crafted with care by the talented duo Sbusiso and Zimhle...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
American flag in glazed presentation cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Here we present a traditionally folded American flag in glazed cabinet.
Complete with certificate to say that the flag was flown over the capital and presented by the architect of t...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Boxes
Materials
Fabric, Glass, Teak
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
Cuba Humidor
By Maccarrone
Located in Milan, IT
This iconic humidor is part of Maccarone's Marquetry collection and can hold up to 150 cigars. The design of this humidor and its vibrant colors are a celebra...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Polyester, Wood
Ceramic Protea Butterfly Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Protea, Butterfly Jewelry Box Hand Painted by Slie and Sculpted by Sbusiso
Celebrate the beauty of South Africa’s natural wonders with the exquis...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
XXI Century Italian Sterling Silver Cigar Box
By Pampaloni
Located in VALENZA, IT
925 Sterling Silver Box for Cigars.
The body of the box is completely smooth with sharp corners.
A small silver protrusion allows the opening of the box.
The interior of the box is m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Ceramic Protea Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Protea, Chameleon Jewelry Box Hand Painted by Jabu and Sculpted by Sbusiso Ndaba from Love Art Ceramic
The Protea, Chameleon Jewelry Box is a stunning example of South African ceram...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Protea Wasp Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Protea Wasp Jewelry Box
Hand Painted by Winnie Mchunu and Sculpted by Nathi
The Protea Wasp Jewelry Box is a captivating piece of ceramic art crafted by the talented artists Winnie ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Fibra Medium Basket by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Fibra medium basket by Sebastian Herkner
Materials: 100% esparto grass.
Technique: Hand-woven in Colombia.
Dimensions: Diameter 47 cm x width 34 x height 10 cm
Available in co...
Category
2010s German Modern Boxes
Materials
Natural Fiber
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
Matheson Standard Tote by Zach Matheson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Matheson Standard Tote, designed and produced by Zach Matheson in Washington State, USA in 2024. The design is comprised of recycled post-industrial mesh, Washington and Or...
Category
2010s American Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Cord
Sunchos Basket I by Pauline Deltour
Located in Geneve, CH
Sunchos basket I by Pauline Deltour
Materials: 100% recycled Polypropylene
Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 53 cm
Available in colors: salmon/ lilac/ turquoise, black/ white, orange/ ...
Category
2010s German Modern Boxes
Materials
Plastic
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.