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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
white and black japanese form stoneware ceramic box by ATOI circa 2010
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
ATOI (Born in 1987)
Large abstract stoneware ceramic black and white ceramic decorative box
Signed
original perfect condition
Circa 2010
Height 18 cm
Large 17 cm
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Onyx Marble Jewelry Trinket Box
Located in New York, NY
A small onyx marble round jewelry or trinket box, in the Modern style, circa 20th century. Box is round with coordinating lid. Tan/neutral tones. A convenient piece to hold small ite...
Category
20th Century Modern Boxes
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Brass
Bacco Bar Armoire in Shiny Ebony
By Agresti
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
Ebony
$34,500 / item
Jewelry Box Velvet Lined
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and well-made black and white (off-white) shagreen style (shark skin style) covered jewelry box. Box has beautiful lines with vaulted lid, bras...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Boxes
Materials
Velvet, Resin
21st Century Atena Leather Closet Box Handcrafted in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Pure design with a special magnetic closing.
The family of three Atena boxes made with eco-friendly and washable regenerated leather is perfect for a modern closet...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather
Waste Bin in Black Oak Detail by R&Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Black Oak Detail Waste Bin by R&Y Augousti exemplifies understated luxury, blending meticulous craftsmanship with premium materials. Handcrafted from rich black oak, the structur...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood, Oak
Tronador Square Black Onyx Stone Box
By AIREDELSUR
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
$1,390 / item
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
Large smoked ceramic grey decorative box or pot by ATOI circa 2010 35 cm unique
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
ATOI (born in 1987)
Large unique handmade ceramic box or decorative pot by ATOI
Signed under the base
Smoked ceramic grey color
Circa 2010
height 35 cm
Large 15 cm
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
large unique decorative handmade grey smoked ceramic box by ATOI circa 2010
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
ATOI (born in 1987)
Large unique handmade smoked ceramic decorative box
circa 2010
Original good condition
height 35 cm
Large 15 cm
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Cigarette case black in the shape of a packet. Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Cigarette case in the shape of a packet of long cigarettes in 925/1000 sterling silver with black fired enamel in Art Deco style, early 1900s. With lost hinge, i.e. semi-invisible. ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Large Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Onyx Black W/24 Karat Gold Flecks
Located in New York, NY
This stunning 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 vo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Murano Glass
American Modernist Geometric Inlaid Two-Tone Wood Lidded Bucket /Vessel, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
American Modernist Geometric Inlaid Two-Tone Wood Lidded Bucket /Vessel, 1950s
Presenting a tour de force of unknown American modern design, this inlaid two-tone wood lidded bucke...
Category
20th Century American Modern Boxes
Materials
Ash, Walnut, Pine
$1,198 Sale Price
20% Off
21st Century Kelly Decorative Hexagonal Box in Leather Handcrafed in Italy
By Pinetti
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
Modernist Long and Flat Lucite Box, circa 1980
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exceptional modernist lidded box, crafted in Italy circa 1980, embodies both sophistication and practicality with its exquisite Lucite construction. The rare elongated, flat rec...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Lucite, Plexiglass, Acrylic
Silver Plate and Wood Box with Agate Stone Slab Decor, circa 1980
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning modernist silver-plate lidded box has a design reminiscent of Gabriella Crespi's prestigious production. The rare piece was expertly crafted in Italy circa 1980. The mi...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Agate, Stone, Metal, Silver Plate
Vintage Italian Embossed Leather 'Crocodile' Mens Jewelry Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Italian Embossed Leather 'Crocodile' Mens Jewelry Box
Stamped in gilt lettering 'Made in Italy'
A vintage Italian Embossed Leather 'Crocodile' Me...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Suede, Wood
$600 Sale Price
20% Off
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
21st Century Leather Cigar Ashtray Handcrafted in Italy
By Pinetti
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
Modernist Off White Ceramic Lidded Box with Stylized Apple Motif by Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
This sophisticated ceramic lidded box was realized by the esteemed maker Rosenthal. It features a round body with a sculptural pull in the form of a...
Category
20th Century German Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
AIMARA Large Alpaca Silver Box
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The waves on a choppy lake, rough by the wind, inspire the design of alpaca boxes and picture frames of this family, whose name comes from the tribe that dwelled in the North Argenti...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
$475 / item
Smart & Modern American Sterling Silver Desk Box by Tiffany
Located in New York, NY
Smart and Modern sterling silver box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover flat and hinged with slight overhang. Stylish Midcentury design. Box i...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Box shaped “quadri” playing card suit red fired Art Deco style Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Box shaped like a “quadri” playing card suit in 925/1000 sterling silver with red fired enamel in Art Deco style, early 1900s. With internal hinge. Dimensions cm. 10.4 x 12.3 x 1.8. ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Black Acrylic Large Round Box by Paola Valle
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
$240 / item
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box Large in Amber with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The infusion of golden amber lends a mesmerizing allure to this enchanting hand-blown glass box from Murano, Italy. The warmth evokes a sense of luxury and sophistication, which is a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Neon Orange Acrylic Large Round Box by Paola Valle
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
Set of 2 White Ash Nun Vases by Matthias Scherzinger
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 white ash nun vases by Matthias Scherzinger.
Limited edition of 30 pieces, each colour each size.
Engraved brass-label with number.
Dimensions: Small: L 14.5 x W 14.5 x 4...
Category
2010s German Modern Boxes
Materials
Ash
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
Black Acrylic Small Round Box by Paola Valle
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
$220 / item
Box shaped “spade” playing card suit black fired Art Deco style Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Box shaped like a “spade” playing card suit in 925/1000 silver with black fired enamel in Art Deco style, early 1900s. With internal hinge. Dimensions cm. 9.5 x 10.7 x 1.8. Weight gr...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Waste Bin in White Shagreen by R&Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The White Shagreen Rhomboid Waste Bin by R&Y Augousti is a masterpiece of functional design, combining luxurious materials and artisanal craftsmanship. Its exterior is adorned with m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
Black Polished Wood Chest for 55 Pens with Suede and Leather Detail
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Lockable chest in black polished wood. Holds up to 55 pens.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Suede, Wood
Vintage Striped Horn Inlay Decorative Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elegant rectangular decorative box features a striking striped pattern crafted from natural horn inlays, showcasing rich variations in tone from amber and honey to deep espresso...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Vintage Red Onyx Stone Jewelry or Trinket Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular vintage jewelry or trinket box crafted from richly colored red onyx stone, known for its deep crimson tones, intricate veining, and natural variations of amber and cream....
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble
Mid Century Decorative Carved Dome Top Valuables Box
Located in Incline Village, NV
Resting on four paw feet and opening via two rear butterfly hinges, this attractive carved dome top box features on the top, an oval highly carved applique cartouche, monogrammed w...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Jewelry Box Brass Swan Bird Red Lacquer
Located in New York, NY
A '70 modern red lacquer or high-gloss 'demi-lune' box with inlayed brass swan bird design, circa 1970s. A chic decorative box for jewelry (as demonstrated)...
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Box shaped “flowers” playing card suit black fired Art Deco style Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Box shaped like a “flowers” playing card suit in 925/1000 sterling silver with black fired enamel in Art Deco style, early 1900s. With lost hinge, i.e. semi-invisible. Dimensions cm....
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage Monumental Woven Leather And Wood Hinged Box Rattan Style
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage very large and monumental hinged box with a patinaed brass lever is woven leather and wood in a rich golden color. This does resemble rattan. The hinges nor the brass op...
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather
"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
Italian Onyx Marble Box
Located in New York, NY
A small 1970s Italian Modern white onyx marble round box. A great piece to hold small items on a desk or vanity area for paperclips or jewelry, such as ring...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble, Onyx
John Glick pottery/stoneware box , jewelry/ table box, signed .
By John Glick
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful box with waved design in stoneware / ceramic. Made by Plum Tree Potters, John Glick.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Italian Round Box 1980's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unearth the charm of a Vintage Italian Round Box from the 1980s. Crafted with exquisite Italian finesse, this elegant piece embodies the allure of a bygone era. Its rounded silhouett...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Aqua Blue with Silver Flecks and Chrome Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Aqua Blue with Silver Flecks and Chrome Fittings captures the essence of Venetian artistry through an exquisite fusion of form, material, and luminosity. Thi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Boxes
Materials
Chrome, Silver Leaf
Hand Made Abstract Sculptural Glazed Ceramic Box. Fitted Lid
Located in Miami, FL
Hand Built Abstract Sculptural Glazed Ceramic Box. Fitted Lid
Offered for sale is a handmade abstract form ceramic box that is signed and dated by Rexx Fischer. The box is both func...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Anthracite Carbalho Humidor
By Maccarrone
Located in Milan, IT
This iconic humidor is part of Maccarone's Essenza collection and can hold up to 150 cigars. Metal accessories in gold brass and high quality gloss veneer enhance this elegant and re...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold, Brass
$7,262 / item
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
$1,643
Ghidini 1961 Knotted Cherry Small 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
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box with 24 Karat Gold Flecks and Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Murano Glass Jewelry Box in Crystal with 24 Karat Gold Flecks embodies elegance and sophistication with its timeless design and luxurious m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
Waste Bin in Black Shagreen by R&Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Black Shagreen Waste Bin with Wood Interior by R&Y Augousti is a stunning blend of luxurious craftsmanship and functionality. Its exterior, crafted from hand-selected black shagr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
Gabriella Crespi Small Brass Container Box, Italy 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Gabriella Crespi Small Brass Container Box.
Italy 1970s
Carries the Initials E.L.
Signed at the base Gabriella Crespi.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Salimbeni Pillbox Semi-Invisible Lid Sterling Silver Natural
Located in Firenze, FI
Salimbeni Pillbox in 925/1000 sterling Silver, oval section with lid with lost hinge, that is, semi-invisible.
Salimbeni Pillbox has guilloche with Art Deco early 20th century styl...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
1970s Modern White and Fake Tortoise Shell Lucite Rectangular Italian Vanity Box
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This vanity box is an high quality italian mid-century item, blending practicality with striking aesthetics. This piece captures the era's love for innovative materials and sleek, fu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Lucite
Tafi Small Onyx Oval Box
By AIREDELSUR
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
$590 / item
ZERO Black Nickel and Bronze Valet Tray by OA
Located in Vero Beach, FL
ZERO valet tray in a black polished Nickel with a bronze mesh insert to catch the finest of jewels, keys or special trinkets. The valet tray is the perfect f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Onyx Black 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
Giant Hand Blown Murano Bow in Alexandrite with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Impressive in its scale alone, this stunning hand-blown Murano glass box exudes luxury and refinement. This exquisite Murano glass box features the captivating Alexandrite color, ren...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Neon Green Acrylic Large Round Box by Paola Valle
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
Karl Springer Exceptional Lidded Box in Tessellated Travertine 1980s 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
Exceptionally crafted table top box in tessellated travertine with wood interior by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed "Karl Springer" on bottom). This box has a nice scale and t...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Travertine
Samples Vienna Chair
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Samples of wood for chairs.
Included in the envelope
- 1 piece beech wood natural finishing
- 1 piece Cane, straw
- 1 piece Beech wood stained Canaletto walnut
- 1 piece Colé I...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
$29 / item
Contemporary Fiocco Armoire Safe in Shiny White Maple
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Polished white bird's-eye maple armored armoire with leather bow, 24-karat gold-plated accessories. Round handle with biometric opening device and emergency key integrated. Inside pullout / pull-out necklace holder and drawers lined for jewelry. Leather handles on drawers. Secret compartment. Available...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Birdseye Maple, Leather
$66,000 / item
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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