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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Agresti Gioia Jewelry Armoire
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry armoire with inside safe. Numeric digital keypad and emergency key. Available in 4 finishing options; see information below for detail...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Agresti Il Cofanetto Jewelry Box
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Lockable jewelry box with removable tray, lined for earrings, rings, necklaces. Available in polished ebony, polished red burl wood or white bird’s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Neon Orange Acrylic Christmas Tree Decor by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Christmas is a season of joy and, for us that means color! Celebrate the season with this colorful, fun and modern Christmas Tree sculptures, and give a new twist to the traditional Christmas color palette. This sculptures will look merry and bright in shelves, fireplace mantle, centerpiece on your table or even to decorate you kids bedroom...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Boxes
Materials
Acrylic
Purple 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 ...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Boxes
Materials
Acrylic
Glaciar Small Silver Alpaca & White Onyx Stone Box
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Glaciar collection is meticulously handcrafted by our local artisans with these rectangular onyx pieces set around alpaca silver flower vases, boxes and trays.
Our pieces are made...
Category
2010s South American Modern Boxes
Materials
Onyx, Stone, Metal
In Stock Caracol Keepsake Box in Silver Bronze and White Marble Elan Atelier
By Elan Atelier
Located in New York, NY
Available now and ready to ship!
Caracol keepsake box is comprised of a hand carved base in white marble with a matte silver bronze top. An elegant vide-poche or jewelry box.
Medi...
Category
2010s European Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Turquoise 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
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
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
Brass, Gold Leaf, Metal
Caracol Keepsake Box in Matte Silver & White Marble by Elan Atelier (L) IN STOCK
By Elan Atelier
Located in New York, NY
Available now at the Elan Atelier NY Showroom and ready to ship!
The sculptural Caracol keepsake box with hand carved base in white marble, and matte silver bronze top with two snai...
Category
2010s European Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Italian Black Leather Box Desk Organizer
Located in New York, NY
An Italian black leather desk box set organizer, circa late-20th century, 1970s, Florence, Italy. This desk piece organizer is black leather, comprised of five (5) boxes with lacquered wood back, brass hinges, and a center rest area (shown with car key, and small change purse...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
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
Bronze, Metal
Blue 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
Blue 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
Teardrop Glass Jar “AB” Crystals with Leather Flower Petal Trim
By dlsc
Located in New York, NY
These darling Jars remind me of the domes of St. Petersburg. When I found these I knew exactly what I was going to do. Some things are easier than others, this was a joy! To make the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Crystal
"Gilt Oval" Silver Intricate Patterned 20K Leaf Box
By dlsc
Located in New York, NY
The "Gilt Oval"
This box is an attention magnate. It is made with sections that are attached by hand. The inner lip is molded to the shape. Then filler is used to cover all of that ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pave Jar Leather Petals with Crystal center
By dlsc
Located in New York, NY
This collectable Jar is the perfect piece to keep with your vanity tray. This along with your perfume bottles will certainly make a gorgeous statement.Why not keep this on your desk or a side table perhaps on a curated section on a shelf. There are many things you can keep inside rings, bracelets, earrings to name a few. The glass is painted then sealed with a top coat.It is then given to my Pave specialist who has 28 years experience of making accessories with world renown accessory company's.The crystals used...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Crystal
Decorative Pave Jar No Trim
By dlsc
Located in New York, NY
This collectable Jar is the perfect piece to keep with your vanity tray. This along with your perfume bottles will certainly make a gorgeous statement.Why not keep this on your desk or a side table perhaps on a curated section on a shelf. There are many things you can keep inside rings, bracelets, earrings to name a few. The glass is painted then sealed with a top coat.It is then given to my Pave specialist who has 28 years experience of making accessories with world renown accessory company's.The crystals used...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Glass
Contemporary Hand Repoussé Peony Box in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Peony box
Antique Copper
Hand Repoussé
Contemporary
Limited edition
Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique origin...
Category
2010s Modern Boxes
Materials
Copper
"Animal Mix" Lacquered Double Circle Box
By dlsc
Located in New York, NY
"Animal mix double circle box"
This box is hand made with sections that are attached by hand. The inner lip is molded to the shape. Then filler is used to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Feathers
Black Lacquer Lotus Box with Peacock Feather Lining
By dlsc
Located in New York, NY
"Black Lacquered Lotus with Peacock Feather Lining"
Wow! As it's sister the oval lacquer, this is hand made with sections that are attached by hand. The inner lip is molded to the shape. Then filler is used to cover all of that work. A primmer is applied to smooth out the interior surface then it is sanded.This process is done three times.Once the surface is smooth a first coat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Feathers
Black Lacquered Oval Box with Peacock Feather Lining
By dlsc
Located in New York, NY
"Black lacquered oval box with peacock feather lining"
Wow! This is hand made with sections that are attached by hand. The inner lip is molded to the shape. Then filler is used to cover all of that work. A primmer is applied to smooth out the exterior surface then it is sanded.This process is done three times.Once the surface is smooth a first coat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Feathers
"Cutout Oval" Lacquered Partridge Feather Box
By dlsc
Located in New York, NY
This cutout oval box is hand made with sections that are attached by hand. The inner lip is molded to the shape. Then filler is used to cover all of that work. A primmer is applied to smooth out the interior surface then it is sanded.This process is done three times.Once the interior surface is smooth a first coat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Feathers
XL Polished Horn Rectangular Segment Box
Located in New York, NY
Large scale decorative box clad in heat set dimensional horn pieces hand set over a wood structure. A great storage solution to add to any coffee table, dresser or desk.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Horn, Wood
Continental Miniature Silver Filigree Decorative Box
Located in London, GB
Crafted with superb skill in silver filigree, this beautiful and delicate box is most likely continental-made, dating from the early 20th century. Its exact origin is unclear, and it...
Category
20th Century European Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver
“Double Circles” Lacquered Guinea Feather Box with Crystals
By dlsc
Located in New York, NY
A double circle box. Covered in black and ivory Guinea feathers hand applied one feather at a time! This artisanal technique is done with a secret sauce tha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Crystal
Neon Orange 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 ...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Boxes
Materials
Acrylic
Black Lacquered Cutout "Piano Finish" Box Paved Interior
By dlsc
Located in New York, NY
The "black lacquered cutout box"
This is hand made with sections that are attached by hand. The inner lip is molded to the shape. Then filler is used t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Crystal
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
Turquoise 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
Judith Leiber Millennium Minaudiere, Clutch and/or Purse
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Judith Leiber minaudiere, clutch and/or purse. It depicts a small rectangular metal box wrapped with an ocean blue palette, green, yellow, brown and beige color paper illus...
Category
20th Century American Modern Boxes
Materials
Crystal, Metal
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
Sunset Bowl, Jean François Reboul
Located in Paris, FR
Satin bowl by Jean François Reboul made of clay and enamel using Raku technique in 2019.
“Certificate of Authenticity” provided by the gallery.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Boxes
Materials
Enamel
Karl Springer Hinged Box in Brown and Black Cobra, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Hinged box covered in brown and black cobra with interior covered in moiré silk by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are superb.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Chrome
21st Century Leather Soft Rectangular Tissue Box Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Just perfect. A must have for your living, for your bedroom, for your bathroom, for your office.
A soft rectangular tissue box in calf leather that comes in a wide range of colors...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather
Ebony Turned Canister, Half Spiral Large
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Curving lines and timeless elegance.
Essentially dark and dense, sustainably sourced, this object is the perfect marriage of extravagance and l’art du savoir-faire.
The preciou...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Modern Boxes
Materials
Other
21st Century Leather Pedal Paper & Waste Bin Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
A chic and sleek aesthetic for our wastebasket with a black pedal.
Available with a 3 and 5 liter capacity and a soft closing function that will avoid any loud noises. Finished i...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather
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
Porteño Small Black & Cream Hand Painted Wood Box
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The urban and cosmopolitan Porteño family carries the spirit of the ones born in Buenos Aires city or “Porteño”, as they are commonly known. Its boxes, trays and flower vases have a ...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Scatola umidor sigari e e portasigari, anni 80
Located in Felino, IT
Scatola umidor portasigari, Gentili Italy. legno di cedro.
portasigari in cuoio, scatola sigari x cubani nuova. (senza i sigari)
il tutto in ottimo stato di conservazione.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Cedar
Contemporary Modern, Galata Chestnut Wood 2-Compartment Box
By DAY Studio
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Istanbul is a wooden box collection inspired by some of towns most iconic buildings: Galata Tower, Hagia Sophia and Bebek Mosque. Each item takes its name from these structures. The ...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Boxes
Materials
Chestnut
Luxury Exotic Wood and Bronze Dugout by William Stuart for Costantini Design
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Luxury Exotic Wood and Bronze Dugout by William Stuart for Costantini Design
3.75" H x 1.75 W x 0.5" D
Costantini founder William Stuart has bough...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Caracol Keepsake Box Set of 3 Silver Bronze and White Marble from Elan Atelier
By Elan Atelier
Located in New York, NY
Caracol Keepsake box set of 3 in silver bronze and white marble
The set of 3 includes 1 small, 1 medium, and 1 large Keepsake Box.
Caracol keepsa...
Category
2010s European Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble, Bronze
"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
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
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
Hand-Painted Dome Top Wood and Brass Decorative Chest
Located in Germantown, MD
A fancy highly decorative, hand painted wooden box in good vintage condition. Heavy solid brass hardware. Meadures 19.5" in width, 10.25" in depth and 14" in height.
Category
Late 20th Century Argentine Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
21st Century Leather Rectangular Tissue Box with Chrome Profile Made in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Masterful artisanal craftsmanship.
Pinetti rectangular tissue box, made in ABS with chrome or gold finishing is covered with genuine waterproof leather and is available with gold ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Chrome
Grey Murano Glass Box
Located in London, GB
Monumental grey Murano glass box with polished brass inner core.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Brass Vanity Vessels with Brass Box
Located in Paonia, CO
The (wh)ORE HAüS STUDIOS small goods collection was made for those that wanted to experience the (wh)ORE HAüS brand without committing to our larger pieces. Our brass vessels with the solid brass box are made with spun brass for the vessels and solid brass for the box. This pice looks great containing small items on a vanity. Contains 4 vessels...
Category
2010s American Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Tronador Large Mini Box, Brown Onyx Stone and Silver Alpaca
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
Agresti Segreto Armored Jewelry Case
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry case with pullout / pull-out necklace bars. See information below for details of item variations.
Gold variation: Shiny gold stee...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass, Steel
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
Hand Carved Lapis Lazuli Mosaic Jewelry Box with Marble Interior
Located in New York, NY
Lapis lazuli hand carved mosaic lidded box, with white marble interior.
Natural lapis stone has beautiful golden pyrite inclusions, like a sprinkling of fairy dust. The lapis mosaic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Marble
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
Monumental Amber Murano Glass Box
Located in London, GB
A Monumental amber Murano glass box with polished brass inner core.
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Bone Tessellated Trinket Box
Located in New York, NY
Mid-century bone trinket box. With a wooden interior. 5" L x 3.5" W x 3.75" D. With slight wear to the interior wood.
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Boxes
Materials
Bone, Wood
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
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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