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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Set Tronador Large Mini Boxes, 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
Set Tronador Mini Boxes, Cream Onyx Stone and Silver Alpaca
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Dimensions :
3.1 x 3.1 x 3.9 "
3.9 x 3.9 x 3.2"
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Boxes
Materials
Stone, Onyx
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Emerald Green with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This exquisite Murano box, hand-blown in a vibrant emerald green, is a celebration of Venetian craftsmanship and refined geometry. Its octagonal form is both striking and sculptural,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
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
$30 / item
Cartier Decorative Box Display Stand, Metal, Modern Design, France
By Cartier
Located in London, England
Découvrez le raffinement du présentoir Cartier, idéal pour mettre en valeur vos bijoux ou montres avec une touche d'élégance. Ce présentoir chic comporte une base blanche immaculée e...
Category
2010s Unknown Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal
$243 Sale Price
64% Off
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
$220 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, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
Piccolo Intreccio Armored Armoire Braided Gold and Black Leather
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry cabinet covered in gold and black hand threaded leather. Varnished outside in metallic gold color. Accessories in 24 karats gold plated brass. Drawers covered in blac...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal
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
Decorative Ceramic Box Orange and Black Colors by Jean Grison
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
Orange and Black Decorative Ceramic Box by Jean Grison French Art
By Jean Grison
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Jean Grison
Original and decorative ceramic box
Signed under the base, realized circa 2000
Elegant orange and black ceramic colors effects
Original good condition
Meas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
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
Maitland Smith Tessellated Rosso Levanto Marble Box, ca 1990s
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Exquisite Maitland Smith Tessellated Rosso Levanto Marble Box, ca 1990s.
This octagonal slope sided box is clad in a beautiful tessellated rosso levanto marble and accented with a ...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Boxes
Materials
Marble, Brass
American Midcentury Modern Sterling Silver Desk Box
By Andrew A. Taylor
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Modern sterling silver desk box. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with gently curved top and molded rim. Box interior cedar-lined and partitioned. Fully marke...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Aqua Blue with Silver Flecks and Chrome Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
An exquisite showcase of contemporary Murano craftsmanship, this hand-blown giant box in aqua blue is a sculptural treasure that blends clarity, luminosity, and refinement. Encased i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Boxes
Materials
Chrome, Silver Leaf
Table Box Heart shape Sky tone fire-enameled on guilloche Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Heart-shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamel on guilloché above and below. Modern contemporary style. Dimensions cm. 8 x 8.8 high cm. 2.8. Weight ...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
R & Y Augousti Shagreen Covered and Mother-of-Pearl Covered Box
Located in Queens, NY
R & Y Augousti Shagreen Covered and Mother-of-Pearl Covered Box
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Boxes
Materials
Shagreen
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
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
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 Modern Sterling Silver & Enamel Polo Horse Box
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling box, ca 1920. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with overhanging rim and curved top; in black enamel, a polo player on charging pony with raised mallet. C...
Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
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
Oscar Tusquets Contemporary Leather Starry Pyramid Limited Edition
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Starry Pyramid by Oscar Tusquets and Pere Ventura for Exhibition-event Homo Faber celebrada en Venezia septiembre 2018.
Limited edition of 8
A pyramid shaped tabernacle.
Leather covered faces...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather
Cornflower/Lilac Bone Box, 12x7
Located in New York, NY
Modernist Cornflower/Hydrangea lavendar bone keepsake box lined in wood. A great addition to any coffee table, bedside or desk.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Bone
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
Japanese Kazaribako Glass Box Kyohei Fujita
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Kazaribako "Ornamented Box" made of glass by Japanese artist Kyohei Fujita (1921-2004) circa 1980s. The hand-blown glass box with fitting lid is of an oval shape, slightly irregula...
Category
1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Silver
Modernist Translucent Glass Stylized Egyptian Eye of Horus Dish by Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
This stunning modernist dish was realized by the esteemed German maker Rosenthal. It offers a sinuously curved ellipsoid form with raised sides and a central circular depression. The form suggests the ancient Egyptian symbol of the Eye of Horus...
Category
20th Century German Modern Boxes
Materials
Glass
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
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
Waste Bin in Black Shagreen Rhomboid by R&Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Black 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
Ghidini 1961 Knotted Cherry Small Box in Copper-Plated 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
Copper
Rectangular Orange Shagreen Box
Located in Queens, NY
Rectangular orange shagreen wood box with a black trim and a lift-off cover
Category
20th Century American Modern Boxes
Rectangular Orange Shagreen Box
Located in Queens, NY
Rectangular orange shagreen wood box with a black trim and a lift-off cover
Category
20th Century American Modern Boxes
Rectangular Brown Shagreen Box
Located in Queens, NY
Rectangular brown shagreen wood box with a black trim and a lift-off cover
Category
20th Century American Modern Boxes
Contemporary Decorative Box Handmade Crystal and Boise De Rose by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2023 Collection of Decorative boxes by Ghiró Studio.
The type of craftsmanship and the materials used for the production make this box a unique object, in fact it is impossible to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Glass, Rosewood
Two Garouste and Bonetti Bronze Boxes for the Collection of Herbert Blome 2001
Located in Milan, IT
Two Garouste and Bonetti Bronze Boxes for the Collection of Herbert Blome 2001
Both are fully signed
Category
Early 2000s French Modern Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Modernist Bookmatched Walnut Decorative Box with Smoky Quartz Embellishment
Located in New York, NY
This sophisticated modernist box was realized in the United States during the 21st century. It features a cubic body in bookmatched walnut with an embellishment (that doubles as a ha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Quartz
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
21st Century Leather Eyeglasses Box Cover with Mirror Handcrafed in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Combining tradition and modern design to provide an unmistakable flair of luxury and elegance.
Our glasses box has a wood base and enough space to store up to eight pairs of glass...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Italian Vintage Brass & Steel Lidded Box, 1970
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking mid-century modern rectangular box crafted from polished brass and steel, featuring a hinged lid with a curved handle. The clean, geometric form is enhanced by the contrast ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Metal
2000s Mosaic Marquetry Exotic Wood Box signed
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a mosaic marquetry mixed wood decorative box. Inlaid marquetry with hardwoods. Handmade piece symmetrical center star design. Signed J G White 04
Dimensions...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
$168 Sale Price
25% Off
Arco Rutenio Contemporary Armored Jewelry Armoire Safe in Ebony finish
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Polished ebony contemporary armored armoire. Rhodium-plated accessories. Round handle with biometric opening device and emergency key integrated. Inside pullout / pull-out necklace holder...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Ebony
Ceramic Leopard Jewelry Box , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Leopard Jewelry Box
Hand-Painted by Slindelo Mazibuko, Sculpted by Motsamai Sello
Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2024
Introducing the Leo Jewelry Box, a charming ceramic piece that...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Chic Modernist Lizard Skin Wrapped Box in Natural Tones
Located in New York, NY
A modernist lizard skin match-wrapped box with removable lid. Its interior is lined in a dark brown ultra-suede with lid supports by means of wooden plinths on two opposing sides of ...
Category
Early 2000s Philippine Modern Boxes
Materials
Animal Skin
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
Polished Black Jewel Box with Gold-Plated Hardware
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Jewel box in polished ebony. Lockable by key and with the necklace bar on the top and a removable tray inside. All the hardware is 24-karat pink gold-plated.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Gold Plate
$1,680 / item
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
Orange, Natural Bone Cheveron Box
Located in New York, NY
Cheveron patterned keepsake, letter box made from dyed orange and natural bone. Box has a wood lining.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Boxes
Materials
Bone, Palmwood
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
21st Century Coffee Round Paper Bin with Lid Waste Bin Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Nothing like a sleek waste bin in calfskin leather to keep your bathroom looking chic. The cylindrical body is entirely covered by hand with fine calfskin leather in a woven pattern....
Category
2010s Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Leather
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
Contemporary Rocco Egg Box in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rocco design egg box
Antique copper
Hand repoussé
Contemporary
Each piece is individually crafted and is unique.
Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative re...
Category
2010s Modern Boxes
Materials
Copper
Finish Samples by Alessandra Delgado Design
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
Finishing options for Alessandra Delgado Design products.
Choose the samples you want for finishing the product, and check with the store for the cost of sending the chosen samples....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Boxes
Materials
Steel
$150 / item
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Grey with 24 Karat Gold Flecks and Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This is a sophisticated and elegant piece that combines modern design elements with the timeless allure of Murano glass. Handcrafted on the historic Venetian island of Murano, this b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
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
Oak Jewelry Box by Konrad Olejnik
Located in Roeselare, BE
This is an amazing jewelry box. Perfect for storing keys or watches. The box is handmade. Turned from old oak wood. The bright, natural oak color will make you enchanted! Dimensions:...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Boxes
Materials
Oak
$245 / item
Van Cleef & Arpel Velvet Jewellery Box for a Bracelet, 1990.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Van Cleef & Arpel velvet jewellery box for a bracelet, 1990.
Velvet jewellery box for a bracelet by jeweller Van Cleef & Arpel, presented in its cardboard box, circa 1990.
H: 6.5 cm...
Category
20th Century French Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood, Paper
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
Dal Negro Treviso Burl Wood and Brass Playing Card Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant vintage playing card boxes by Dal Negro Treviso, renowned Italian makers of fine game accessories. Each box is beautifully crafted from richly grained burl wood veneer, frame...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Boxes
Materials
Wood
Black, Beige, Brass Striped Box
Located in New York, NY
Modernist keepsake, document box clad in Black, White resin stripes accented with brass inlay stripes.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Boxes
Materials
Brass
$625 / item
Walnut Matte Chest
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Polished walnut armoured chest, matte finish, 24 karats gold plated accessories. Round handle with biometric opening device and emergency key integrated. Inside pull out necklace hol...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Boxes
Materials
Walnut
$32,000 / item
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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