Inlay Boxes

PRESENTING an ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS and EXTREMELY UNIQUE and RARE 19C British Tunbridgeware Micromosaic Lap Desk. This lap desk is unlike any of it’s kind we have seen before. From c...

High-quality handcrafted miniature furniture, a detailed replica of a Baroque tabernacle secretary from the original period around 1760: Spruce wood body, veneered with walnut and nu...

Austro-Hungarian empire mechanical vesta tinder case made by Karl Rössler Beautiful antique fusee vesta tinder case, created in Vienna Austria around the...

A small low table with lacquer and intricate mother-of-pearl inlay design from Ryukyu Islands kingdom circa 17-18th century. Ryukyuan kingdom was used to be an independent island cou...

A Fine Art Deco Period Marquetry and Parquetry Jewellery Casket, Probably French c.1920 This fine jewellery box is of casket form, the interior containing a series of lift-out trays...

Rare Engine Turned Design The Sewing Box of slight sarcophagus shape stood upon four turned ribbed feet. The Sewing Box tapers up to the convex raised lid and features scrolling fl...

Fine quality antique Regency rosewood tea caddy, having a outstanding quality 19th Century rosewood and mother of pearl inlaid sarcophagus shaped tea caddy, with a quality carved mou...

A charming vintage jewelry box, or trinket box, with colorful marquetry inlay, lined with red velvet, including a working key. Presumably Moroccan, second half of the 20th century. ...

Large antique French Napoleon III box with inlaid bronze decor, polished black color surface, inside brown velvet. Includes key. After the reno...

Circa 1960 we offer this rare jewelry box made in bronze and Silver Plated in the shape of a hippopotamus with fantastic patina.

A scarce fine quality antique silver-inlaid solid brass betel nut box (Lutuan), dating to the second half of the 19th / early 20th century, hand-crafted in Mindanao, Philippines. Boxes such as this were used to store the areca nut (also known as the betel nut) which would be wrapped in a betel leaf with lime paste and other ingredients, often tobacco, for chewing. Similar to the European tea caddy, these boxes often served as a way to impress while showing off ones wealth. Betel chewing was prevalent in the southern Philippines as in much of the rest of Southeast Asia. Wealthier Maranao families on Mindanao were able to afford elaborate silver-inlaid brass betel boxes such as this example. Such boxes were used to show off to guests and from which they were offered betel and the other component such as leaves and lime to make up the betel quid. Rare large size, most extant examples of such boxes tend to measure around 5 inches in length. At slightly more than 7.75 inches the example here is larger than most. The distinctive decorative box features a very heavy strong-box like rectangular shaped chest form with canted corners, copper handles, and a conforming hinged lid, lifting open to reveal an interior divided into three compartments covered by four hinged lids. Each of these doors is inlaid with silver in stylized orchid flower patterns. Exceptionally executed throughout, the arabesque silver inlaid exterior is decorated to the top with a large orchid motif within scrolling obid-obid (stylized rope) borders. The front, back and sides are inlaid with sets of stylized tail feathers of the sari-manok bird beneath which are unusual, highly stylized whimsical zoomorphic faces that appear like cat or tiger faces. (Such stylisation is accounted for by Southeast Asian Islamic preferences to avoid the overt and this potentially idolatrous representation of animal and human forms. Designs such as these are drawn from a local design repertoire that has its origins in wood carving. Although the spread of Islam in the Philippines began in the 14th century, mostly through the influence of Muslim merchants from the western Malay Archipelago, decorative arts in this design remain exceptionally rare. This lutuan represents a fine example of Islamic metalwork from the most eastern outreach of Islamic art and civilisation: Mindanao island being significantly further east than even China – artwork from Islamic Southeast Asia remains chronically under-represented in the world’s major collections of Islamic art. PROVENANCE / ACQUISITION Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, established 1983, Austin, Texas. References Brownrigg, H., Betel Cutters...

Fantastic quality antique Victorian rosewood and mother of pearl inlaid work box having a quality antique Victorian work box with stunning mother of pearl inlay, with a lift up lid o...

1960s Handcrafted Bone Inlaid Trinket Moroccan Wood Trinket Box. Handmade artisanal mid century inlaid trinket decorative lidded Moroccan box. This hexagonal shaped decorative box ha...

An early 19th century French marquetry commode de maitrise, or miniature sample commode. Made veneer of mahogany with pine and beech as a secondary w...

A very handsome 19th century dresser box hand constructed in Arbutus wood. (Arbutus wood is an indigenous wood specific to the southwestern region of Ireland). The hinged lid featuri...

Octagonal (eight-sided) Bauhaus / Art Deco Box from Austria, Vienna, circa 1920. Sides in solid ash wood. Lid veneered in walnut with star inlay in maple and mahogany. Base slightly...

A most charming estate made country house letter box with delicately inlaid LETTER BOX to front. English, George III H 27 x W 23 x D 15 cms

A refined antique wooden box featuring delicate, Islamic-inspired marquetry composed of intricate geometric patterns and mother-of-pearl inlays. Its elegant design and meticulous cra...

This lacquered box is a Japanese tabako-bon, or 'tobacco tray,' used to store tobacco and smoking accessories. Believed to have evolved from the tradition...

The metalwork displays a richly elaborate decoration composed of rose garlands, foliage, scrolling motifs, and finely ornamented circular medallions, executed with silver and brass i...

A sculptural box with a radiant green straw marquetry lid and gold foil body. A bold piece that brings celestial charm to your space. The finishes, colours, size can be customised ac...

Large Anglo Indian Moorish Islamic style micro mosaic inlaid jewelry box with lid. Intricate inlaid Anglo Persian box with floral and geometric Moorish Sadeli design in an hexagonal shape form with micro mosaic marquetry, very fine artwork. Museum collector piece like the one in Doris Duke Islamic Art Museum. The repeating geometric patterns of Sadeli Mosaic are what give it beauty and richness. This decorative technique is a type of micro mosaic featuring repeating geometric patterns. Dimensions: H: 5 in : 12 in W x 12 in. D. Circa 1950s. Sadeli mosaic art is a highly skilled craft, it has had a long history in India and the Middle East with early examples dating back to the 16th century. In the 1800s, it became popular as a decoration on a variety of boxes, card cases, and chess boards imported from India. Since Bombay became a center of making them, they became known as Bombay boxes. The ancient art of Sadeli Mosaic is said to have been introduced from Shiraz in Persia via Sind to Bombay, a long time before Indian boxes appeared. The designs on early boxes look deceptively simple. The fact is they emerged from a culture which had mastered geometry and understood how to generate a pattern from a set number of points. The patterns are so harmoniously combined that their incredible complexity isn’t immediately apparent to the viewer. Will look great in a Moroccan decor...

Hispano-Moresque Mudéjar Bone-Inlaid Walnut Chest
 Spain, 16th–17th century 
Walnut, bone inlay, iron fittings
 44.5 × 30.5 × 18 cm This rectangular walnut chest, richly ornamented ...

Beautifully decorated mid-late 19th c, England, black lacquered papier-mâché sewing stand. Decorated with gilt, mother-of-pearl and polychrome paint, opening to cloth-lined interior....

Back in October 2016, on one of his many travels to the Persian Gulf in his role as Honorary Chairman of Christie’s Europe Middle East, Russia and India, David Linley’s fascination with Islamic art and architecture was reignited. A photograph of a vibrant tile mosaic pattern was sent back to the LINLEY studio on Pimlico Road, inspiring the design of the spectacular Girih Treasure Chest. The Girih Treasure Chest explores Islamic pattern through detailed wooden marquetry in brilliant sapphire blue and rich gold tones. Girih is an Islamic decorative art form consisting of geometric lines that create an interlaced framework. As if a precious stone in a delicate claw setting, the chest perches on a simple sycamore frame which is supported by a forged brass metal stretcher. As the center of the design lies an eight-pointed star, taken from a beautiful mosaic tile pattern that caught the eye of LINLEY Founder and Chairman David Linley on a visit to Doha, Qatar back in October 2015. Adorning all façades of the chest, the pattern is created using a specially dyed deep blue ripple sycamore...

A stunning and substantial decorative box in the Mid-Century Italian style, carved from solid white marble and featuring a bold chevron inlay in vibrant green malachite. The crisp ge...

Astounding, finest quality, hand-made estate 3.72 note "Reuge" music and jewelry box grand piano with gorgeous instrumental motif marquetry on burl walnut wood case. The music box plays 3 songs. Flawless sound featuring a 72 note Swiss movement. The wood piano case is handmade in Italy by the world's best master artisans in marquetry. One cylinder; 3 melodies playing one after another. It plays for a very long time when fully wound. Reuge 72...

Miniature parquetry two drawer bombe chest made in Italy. All sides including back are finished.

Great decorative Moroccan Tribal flask.. African decorative brass with front richly decorated with embossed brass and overlay. The valve stem turns and open. Truly a conversation mu...

An impressive humidor by Glynn Lockett applied with Crocodile skin and gilt mounts. The top surmounted with a crocodile with sapphire eyes, next to an undulating lapis lazuli pane...

c.1800, England, Regency brass inlaid rosewood lap desk in the manner of George Bullock. Rectangular box with double-hinged lid, opening to tooled na...

This is a marvelous travel box. The inlay is stunning.

Late 18th Century George III English Box. Veneered in beautifully highly figured burled ash with small inlaid shield shapes. Made in England circa 1790. A beautifully crafted late 1...

A well-made antique, circa 1830, English tea caddy with stunning marquetry inlays, warm coloring, superb detailing, and luminous rich patina! When tea first arrived in Europe in t...

A fine burr wood and inlaid casket with original metal work and great colour and patina, possibly German or Swiss, the burr timber is what we would call field maple and is banded in ...

Adura Perle jewellery or trinket box designed by Procreo is guaranteed to take centre stage on your dressing table, inside your walk-in wardrobe, or in any room you may decide to hav...

A Fine Ebony and Inlaid Jewellery box or Casket by Paul Sormani, Paris, c.1860 Of somewhat baroque form, this fine casket is ornamented throughout with inlaid brass strapwork and mo...

Antique Victorian marquetry jewelry box with satinwood and ebony stringing - fine quality with aged patina - featuring veneered top and sides - diamond shaped satinwood key escutcheo...

Foldable 19th Century French hand carved marquetry walnut liquor cellar. Overall good condition except the top of the box which was burned quite bed and no restorations have been ma...

A gorgeous decorative box in creme shagreen by R & Y Augousti, renowned for their expert craftsmanship and luxury design. The lid is adorned with brass inlay and features an intricat...

Elegant French Napoleon III writing box dating from the late 19th century, circa 1880, featuring exquisite geometric wood marquetry, decorative gilt brass fittings, and two original ...

This box is made of black shagreen. It can contain 5 watches. The box is hinged with a black microsuede interior and it has a small nickel knob. This box is perfect for keeping your...

A fine Korean iron box with intricate silver inlay dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The body of the box is made from iron of a heavy weight although the wear on t...

Varnished, burl wood sewing box, decorated with Greek frieze and brass inlays. The box contains a mirror and sewing utensils made of bone and brass, as...

Two lidded boxes - 19th century. Japanese; 19th century wooden box with lacquer coating and mother-of-pearl inlay. Minor flaws. Dimensions: (larger) 7x22 cm.

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...

Art Deco Precious Stone Jewelry Box - Pewter, Amethyst & Brass - France 1940s Elegant French jewelry box, made of pewter with a brass and amethyst decor on top. Finely engraved...

This mother-of-pearl inlay perfume box is a rare and complete treasure from the famed Palais-Royal of France’s Second Empire. The box is a work of art, meticulously fashioned to deli...

English Victorian-style rectangular light wood box with star and diamond shape inlays, with 3 compartments.  

A beautiful oval Italian brass pill box with an inlayed floral glass micro mosaic millefiori design and twisted rope top lid, finished with a brass ...

Edwardian Silver Guilloché Enamel Box Birmingham 1909 A fine Edwardian silver circular box by Daniel George Collins, Birmingham 1909. The central blue engine-turned guilloché ena...

Unusual Antique Victorian quality rosewood inlaid writing box with two lift up tops opening to reveal a writing surface with original ink bottles an...

English Regency mahogany rectangular hinged tea poy with fitted interior bins, central lyre pedestal, foliage brass inlays, flanking gilt floral pulls, and res...

Elegant Biedermeier / French restoration period box in shellac polished rosewood with maple and ebony inlays, from France, circa 1840. Rosewood veneer, with a geometric book-matched ...

Unadorned Biedermeier box made of birch veneer from Southern Germany, circa 1830. Ebony strips inserted along the sides. Ebonized diamond as a key escutcheon and a black protruding b...

Very fine. Early 19th century Napoleon tea caddy. Brass inlay. Crystal vessel (not original).

This exquisite Papier Mâché box, circa 1870s, has a black lacquered finish with mother of pearl inlays, gold leaf hand-painted floral motifs and embellished decoration. The Engli...

According to motto "Perseverantia et Amicis" (Perseverance and Friends) with Bird (dove) holding olive-branch, this amazing, luxurious "necessaire" comes from family ofacknowledged L...

Late 18th century, English George III mahogany knife box fitted out for letters / ballots. The interior voided of the old knife compartments. One small remov...

English Modern sterling silver box, 1919. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover curved and hinged with short tab; on top inlaid agate in form of stylized thistle in rondel. Silver l...