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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
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

Tronador Square Bordeaux Onyx Stone Box
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

Mahogany Ladys Gentlemans Handmade Jewelry Casket Box Manning Ireland Irish New
Located in Dublin, Ireland
This well figured highly hand polished Mahogany jewellery casket with dome fronted detail, was manufactured by the famed manning of Ireland company and is truly a jewel of handcrafte...
Category

Early 2000s Irish Modern Boxes

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Knotted Tissue Box Caramel Home Office Accessories By André Fu Living
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

Black 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

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

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

Neon Orange 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

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

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

Box shaped “quadri” playing card suit red fired Art Deco style 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 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

Alexandra Von Furstenberg Acrylic Treasure Box in Yellow - Medium 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 bright Yellow. Made from high-quality Lucite, this ch...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes

Materials

Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass

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 elegant production. The rare piece was crafted in Italy circa 1980. The minimalist rect...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes

Materials

Agate, Stone, Metal, Silver Plate

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

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

Blue Ocean 40 cigars Humidor
Located in Milan, IT
From the Yacht collection, Blue Ocean is the smallest humidor of Maccarrone's collections. Metal accessories are in chromed brass and high gloss mahog...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Polyester, Wood

Onyx Marble Box
Located in New York, NY
A small '70s modern hexagon shaped onyx box with lid, circa 1970s. Box is multicolored onyx, in a hexagon shape with lid and feet. A nice piece to hold small items on a desk, or smal...
Category

1970s Vintage Modern Boxes

Materials

Onyx

Onyx Marble Box
Onyx Marble Box
$340 Sale Price
20% Off
Italian White Onyx Marble Round 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

Onyx, Marble

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

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

Birdie Miller Raised Artisan Jewelry Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Birdie Miller Raised Jewelry Box. Looks equally good off of it's raised platform. Made of several woods with rosewood handles. Signed to bottom platform.
Category

1990s American Modern Boxes

Materials

Mahogany, Maple, Rosewood, Walnut

Box shaped “spade” playing card suit black fired Art Deco style 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

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

Lacquered Solid Wood Modern Minimal Modular Drawers from Costantini, Baccello
Located in New York, NY
Baccello lacquered solid wood Modern minimal modular drawers from Costantini. Each unit measures 20" x 20" x 5" high. 6 units as shown. Each one of these units is identical in sha...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Box shaped “flowers” playing card suit black fired Art Deco style 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

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

Anthracite Carbalho Humidor
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

Giant Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Crystal with 24-Karat Gold Flecks
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Impressive in its scale alone, this exquisite Murano glass box is a masterpiece of luxurious craftsmanship, featuring a pristine crystal body adorned with shimmering 24-karat gold fl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

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

Novelty Solid Silver Box by Theo Fennell - 1986
Located in Bath, GB
A highly collectable heavy, solid sterling silver box signed on the underside by the famed London silversmith and Jeweller, Theo Fennel. The box is hand crafted in the form of a tru...
Category

1990s British Modern Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tafi Small 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

Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Amber with 24 Karat Gold Flecks and Brass Fitting
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The marriage of amber and 24-karat gold lends a mesmerizing allure to this enchanting hand-blown glass box from Murano, Italy. The warmth from this piece emanates a sense of luxury ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

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

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

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

Nero Forziere Black Armoured Chest with 6 Drawers
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

Neon Green 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

Decorative Ceramic Box Orange and Black Colors by Jean Grison
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Jean Grison Elegant and delicate decorative ceramic box by the French artist. Many ceramic colors effects. Signed under the base, circa 2000. Original good conditions. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

"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

Polished Black Jewel Box in Maple and Mahogany
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry chest in polished black bird’s-eye maple and mahogany, ultra suede lining, 24-karat gold-plated brass accessories. With necklace bars, lockable doors and five drawers. Adjust...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Maple

Waste Bin White Shagreen by R&Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The White 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 shagreen, b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Boxes

Materials

Wood, Shagreen Stingray

Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Gray Bullicante Detailed & Brass Fitted Glass Box
Located in New York, NY
This sleek and beautifully formed Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Box W/Grey Bullicante Detailing and Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. This box is rect...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass

Set of Twelve Black Shagreen Napkin Rings by Fabio Ltd
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian black shagreen and stainless steel napkin rings with matching black leather boxes designed by Fabio Bergomi for Fabio Ltd / Made in Italy Each ring has diameter 1.5 inches a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Stainless Steel

Albert Dahan for Vallauris, Unique Lidded Box in Glazed Stoneware, Ca 1970
Located in København, Copenhagen
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

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

Vintage Japanese Ball Shaped Plastic Tea Caddy Storage Containers, Set of 3
Located in San Carlos, CA
🍵 Elevate Your Storage: Set of 3 Japanese Natsume Tea Caddies! 🍵 Enhance your storage solutions with a touch of elegance and functionality with our wonderful set of three hard pla...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Boxes

Materials

Plastic

21st Century Igea Sanitizing Box Handmade in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
An instant touch of class, wherever displayed. A smart solution for your rooms, stores, showrooms, yachts, hotel or meeting rooms; ideal to maintain your environments clean and sanit...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Leather

French Modern Stitched Leather Rectangular Table Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Modern Stitched leather Rectangular table box France, later 20th century French modern leather table box, reminiscent of Jacques Adnet works. This stately rectangular box ...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Boxes

Materials

Leather, Fabric

Jewellery Compendium in speckled blue Vellum
Located in Queensland, AU
“There are so many rare and unique materials available to an artist to work with and Vellum is one of my absolute favourites. It is perfect in its imperfections. No two pieces are ev...
Category

2010s Australian Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass

Wicker Bamboo Tissue Box Cover Holder
Located in New York, NY
A wicker bamboo tissue box cover, circa 1970s. Box is all bamboo with a beautiful marque opening on top. Dimensions: 5.5" D x 10.25" W x 3.13" Height.
Category

Mid-20th Century Asian Modern Boxes

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker

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

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

Table Box Heart shape Red passion fire-enameled on guilloche Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Heart-shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold-plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché above and below. Modern contemporary style. Dimensions cm. 8.8 x 8 cm high....
Category

1990s Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

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

Piccolo Intreccio Armored Armoire Braided Gold and Black Leather
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

Set Tronador Large Mini Boxes, Brown & Cream 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

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

Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Amber with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The exquisite octagonal jewel box in brilliant amber is a captivating blend of traditional craftsmanship and luxurious aesthetics. Handcrafted on the historic island of Murano, this ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass

Hand Blown Murano Box in Amber with Bubbles and Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This exquisite Murano glass box features a luxurious amber color that radiates warmth and sophistication. The piece is meticulously handcrafted by master artisans in Murano, Italy, s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass

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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