Painted Boxes

Art Deco Perfection: 1939 Enamel Travel Suitcase Makeup Compact Case, MUST SEE! An extraordinary embodiment of Jazz Age glamour, bon vivant luxury, and Art Deco wanderlust, this rare 1939 enamel travel suitcase makeup compact represents the pinnacle of 1930s design imagination. Objects of this caliber, playful yet exquisitely executed, are the very heart of serious Art Deco collecting, and it truly does not get better than this. Expertly hand-painted enamel, the compact is modeled as a miniature leather travel suitcase, complete with gold-tone corner protectors, buckled straps, and a sculptural handle that doubles as the opening mechanism. Tipping the handle gently releases the case, revealing a mirror-lined interior and a fully intact, original cosmetic arrangement: a compartment of nude-toned face powder (still present and loose), a smaller compartment of vivid rose blush with its original factory paper liner, and a petite puff, appearing barely used, if at all. The exterior is nothing short of breathtaking. The “leather” surface is entirely hand-painted, featuring linear horizontal brushstrokes on either side and a bold central squiggle motif, evoking the texture of fine luggage from the era. Encircling the case are brilliantly graphic Art Deco travel decals: Paris, London, New York, Roma, Monte Carlo, the Queen Mary, Havanna Club, and, most notably, the legendary French Art Deco ocean liner Normandie, each rendered in vivid color and crisp geometry. These travel motifs “dance” around a central engraved cartouche reading “Topaz Club ’39”, a tantalizing and deeply evocative personalization. During the 1930s, international travel became the ultimate symbol of sophistication and freedom, fueled by luxury steamships, glamorous hotels, elite clubs, and the rise of the cosmopolitan traveler. Suitcases plastered with travel labels became icons of worldliness, instantly signaling status, adventure, and taste. Art Deco embraced this imagery wholeheartedly, using bold typography, streamlined vessels, and exotic destinations to express modern life at its most glamorous. Novelty luxury pieces like this compact translated that ideal into intimate objects, portable symbols of privilege and pleasure. Comparable in spirit to the finest Cartier vanity cases...

A painted 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art wood box, with blue and red. These boxes were used for multiple purposes, eg to transport during long trips important documents and priva...

Very large 19th century ormolu mounted Sevres Style porcelain casket box , made in France and decorated with the characteristic celeste blue ground associated with Sèvres porcelain, ...

A Painted Cast Iron Artillery Bank Mechanical Bank Money Box, Early 20th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Description: Features a soldier standing beside a cannon...

Soviet era Mstera hand painted, artist signed lacquer box depicting a scene from Pushkin's renown Tale of Tsar Saltan 20th Century Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin's 1831 masterpiece, "The Tale of Tsar Saltan", a Russian fairy tale...

A delightful, Japanese licensed Pink Panther Collection lidded box distributed by Royal Orleans and dated 1981. The ceramic box is of large oval form with a fitted slightly domed cov...

A beautiful, relatively large, white opaline glass vanity jewelry box, hand-decorated with raised gold gilt and tiny blue and white accents, Victorian design period, circa late‑19th‑...

Impressive hand-painted Folk Art box from the Mid-18th Century. The box has been hand-painted in rusts, reds and greens with roses and flowers. Original paint and metal hardware. Won...

A French porcelain jewelry box, styled after Sèvres porcelain, in the Regency design style, circa late-19th century to early-20th century, France. Boxes' lid features outdoor nature scene with couple and dog surrounded by hand-painted gold detail i the Regency design style. Gold hand-painted detail featured on lid, front, sides and back of box. Great as a standalone piece or to hold jewelry (demonstrated) or other items on a desk, vanity, dresser, etc. Marked on underside as shown in last image, 'Made in France', 'Hand Decorated'. Box is a nice size. Dimensions: 2.75" Height x 4.13" Depth x 6.5" Width. Jewelry and other items shown available separately, search 1stDibs ref. #: For Italian Ginori box search 1stDibs ref. #: LU1314243501722 Cartier coffee...

This is a Limoges France Porcelain Needle Trinket Box. Its background is white. It is hand painted and adorned with branches of flowers alternated by pink and gilt bands. Inside the ...

A rare and exceptional Baroque period Flemish or Dutch red tortoiseshell, bone, horn, ebony, and rosewood lift-top chest with drawer, circa 1725, mounted on a later stand. 17th/18...

19th century hand painted rustic Swedish box circa 1850. Good quality near square decorative strong box.  Made from solid pine and hand painted in the traditional scandinavian way, ...

Carved wood hand painted donation / offering ALM BOX, Spain, 18th century. Polychromed carved wood church collection offering donation money box as wall decoration. This alms box is made of pine wood painted in terracotta hues. A nun carved ornamentation decorates the top. Wall hanging collection / donation money box. Originally used to collect donations at Christian churches/chapels. Interesting to be used as key box or key cabinet or as wall decoration Rare find. Provenance: Private collection. No key avaliable. Overall Measures: 45 cm H x 26 cm W x 21 cm D Poor box...

Vintage Kholui hand painted papier mâché box with hinged lid - fine quality - featuring a Russian folklore painting of the Snow Maiden to the raised oval section on the top of the re...

Beautiful porcelain peint a la main (hand painted) vintage crossword puzzle trinket box by Limoges, circa 1980s. This unusual piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 3"W...

This is a box for the matcha powder using while tea ceremony in Japan. It is called 'Natsume'. It is made with wood. The design is a boat and it is hand painted. The material is with...

Charming folk art 19th-century country English pine blanket chest or box featuring a Georgian manor house facade on the outside. The storage box has a hinged top and handles on each ...

Charming Porcelain Trinket Box painted in purples, gold, green and royal blue. Upon opening the box there is a cute flower design inside the lid. This piece would certainly be a fant...

A superbly hand-painted Mughal miniature lacquer box, created in the refined Indo-Persian artistic tradition and signed “Nangua”. This exquisite octagonal decorative box features a f...

A Swedish original painted and carved bentwood box from the 19th Century Folk Art period. These small 19th Century Scandinavian collectibles were usually hand crafted and sometimes p...

A beautiful authentic English fine bone chine porcelain box in the 'Old Imari' pattern, by Royal Crown Derby, circa late-20th century, England. Piece is hand-painted in 22kt gold. Box has a 'hexagon' shape which is a nice alternative to round. A great piece for smaller items of jewelry (as demonstrated with cocktail ring and earrings.) Colors include a white fine bone china base, blue, dark orange hues, and 22kt gold. All authentication marks on bottom as shown in last three images. Made in England. A great piece for a vanity, dresser, nightstand table, desk, as a gift, etc. For porcelain butterfly...

A vintage Chinese decorative box, crafted in wood and finished in lustrous black lacquer, its surface delicately adorned with a gilt bamboo and green leaf motif. The design, executed...

Round pill box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold-plated with Art Deco-style engraving, early 1900s, with translucent fired enamels in various shades. Diameter 4 cm, height 1.3 cm. Wei...

Antique Staffordshire Painted Hen on Nest Covered Box or Tureen, Circa 1880 A charming antique Staffordshire painted hen on a nest-covered box or tureen, dating to circa 1880. This ...

Napoleon III Period Ebony Luxury Box by TAHAN, Paris, with Expertise. Stamped “TAHAN Fr de l’Empereur” — official purveyor to the Emperor. A rare and impeccably preserved example of ...

Charming folk art 19th-century country English pine blanket chest or box featuring a Georgian manor house facade on the outside. The storage box has a hinged top and handles on each ...

Folk Art Jewelry Box or Miniature Tabletop Sized Chest of Drawers. This vintage wood piece with four drawers has lots of character and patina. Each drawer features a hand painted lea...

Japanese gilt lacquer document box with a calligraphy Document, painted and gilt in flowers, a dedicated artwork. The original decorated strings ...

A set of five Limoges French miniature collectible porcelain trinket or pill boxes, each with hand-painted decoration and brass frame. Set includes: a basket with three glass bottles...

Handbag cigarette case in 925/1000 sterling silver with black fire enamel. Opening with spring button. Size cm. 6.3 x 9.7 x 1.5. Weight gr. 215. Created in Art Deco style for Cartie...

A beautiful and rare early to mid-20th century matte white and light periwinkle blue round metal box in the Neoclassical style. The Neoclassical raised relief design around box's ext...

19th century hand painted pine storage box circa 1840. We are pleased to offer this original painted storage box. Hand painted florals to the lid with initials mjd and an anno date...

A fine antique Japanese Meji Period lacquer box decorated with a fan and a stylized star shaped window in the maki-e technique. The fan at the top right corner, fully opened depictin...

Charming ceramic trinket, pill or small jewelry box with an adorable rabbit on the front, surrounded by lush greenery. This piece would certainly be a fantastic addition to an existi...

The Matchbox Series is composed of roughly 4”x 6” boxes that make direct references to iconic NYC institutions. These boxes come with slide out inserts that are filled with oversized...

Antique Persian Khatam Micro Mosaic Inlaid Jewelry Box with Miniature Polo Scene, circa 1940s This exquisite Persian Khatam Kari trinket box is a rare example of masterful micro mosaic marquetry, handcrafted in the 1940s using the ancient Persian art of inlay. Featuring an intricately detailed geometric design and a miniature hand-painted equestrian scene on the lid, this museum-quality piece is a stunning representation of Indo-Persian and Moorish craftsmanship. Khatam Kari, or Persian marquetry, is a centuries-old decorative art that flourished during the Safavid dynasty. It involves the meticulous inlay of thousands of tiny pieces of wood and bone into intricate, repeating geometric patterns—each symbolic of harmony and cosmic order. The top of this box is adorned with a finely rendered painting of royal figures on horseback, possibly princes engaged in a ceremonial game of polo, echoing the refined court culture of the 19th-century Persian and Mughal aristocracy. The box’s micro mosaic surface is covered in richly detailed star and polygon motifs typical of Khatam and Sadeli mosaic traditions. These patterns require precise mathematical planning and exceptional artisanal skill, resulting in a surface that is as intellectually complex as it is visually stunning. Details: * Origin: Asia Indo-Persian * Date: Circa 1940s * Materials: Inlaid woods, camel bone, hand-painted miniature * Style: Islamic Art, Moorish, Anglo-Indian, Micro Mosaic * Dimensions: Height 1.5 in. x Width 6.5 in. x Depth 4.25 in. * Condition: antique condition with minor wear consistent with age These boxes were traditionally used to store writing instruments or jewelry, and today they serve as timeless collectors' pieces, suitable for display or thoughtful gifting. Comparable examples can be found in major Islamic art collections, including the Doris Duke Museum of Islamic Art. Keywords: Persian Khatam Box...

This vintage miniature wood box has six drawers and lots of character and patina. Some of the drawers are lined in faux marbleized paper. We see this wonderful piece being used to st...

Porcelain bronze mounted box, Art Nouveau style Made of hand-painted crackled, glazed high quality bronze mounted porcelain. Signed on the bottom. An all over polychrome floral deco...

PRESENTING A STUNNING Early 19C French Gold Box with Enamel and Miniature Portrait. Box made with brass but has been plated with 18ct Gold with beau...

Cigarette case for handbag in 925/1000 sterling silver with black fired enamel. Opening with spring button.. Measure cm. 6.3 x 9.7 x 1.5. Weight gr.210. Created in the Art Deco style...

Large egg on smooth tripod with 8-day mechanical skeletal Swiss movement with alarm, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché with Russian E...

Danish Vintage Artists Paint Box and Pallet, Early 20th Century Well loved Danish artists traveling wooden box with everything needed to paint on location. This charming box, acqui...

Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved trinket box or catchall is perfect for the collector. Nice antique collectible to display in yo...

An exceptional antique Chinese gold and black lacquer games box raised on four paw feet with a domed lift off cover decorated with figural landscape panels in gilded lacquer colours on a black ground. The cover lifts off to reveal five lidded removable counter boxes...

Egg on engraved tripod with octagonal folding photo holder for 6 photos inside, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated, with translucent fired enamels on guilloché and pure gold “pa...

Philippe Deshoulieres for Sophie d’E Limoges Signed Porcelain Horse Trinket Box – Estate Provenance From the private estate of a prominent American desi...

Charming American Toleware Tin Box. Box is hand-painted in vivid folk art floral motifs of red, gold, and green against a deep black background. The domed lid features an oval black tin handle, and the front of lid retains the front portion of its original latch. This example displays the warmth and character typical of the 19th century decorative tinware, where utilitarian household objects were elevated through hand-painted embellishment. The floral and foliate designs were often inspired by Pennsylvania German or New England folk art traditions. Artisans and tin peddlers offered these brightly adorned boxes, trays, etc to rural families. Each was uniquely decorated, often by women, to reflect floral motifs in domestic interiors of the Federal and Victorian periods. In today's interiors, this toleware box...

Meticulously enamelled and gilt satsuma box, Meiji Period (1867-1912). Overall very good antique condition, base that the box sits on is a bit slanted. L...

Antique Chinese Lacquered Flip-Up Travel Shaving Jewelry Box Vanity Mirror Vintage Wooden Jewellery Box & Mirror Decorative Box & Lid Hand P...

Rounded rectangular pill box in 925/1000 sterling silver with a fine hand-engraved Baroque-style design and fire-enamelled finish. Dimensions: 3.5 x 4.3 x 1.4 cm. Weight: 36 g. Desi...

A lovely Swedish folk art footed trunk / box in Nordic pine with original blue paint from Hälsingland, Sweden, dated 1813. It has a domed top, hand painted initials and decorative fl...

Mid Century Italian bone white glazed ceramic cigarette box with a hand decorated lid featuring a stylized fern.

Vintage Limoges Bowler Hat form Trinket Box, porcelain, French. Hand painted. Marked: "Peint main Limoges France HC". Porcelain & brass with bow clasp. An umbrella painted on the int...

Rectangular table box with rounded corners in sterling silver 925/1000 gold plated with a beautiful hand-engraved and fire-enamelled frame and in the center a beautiful hand painted miniature by the painter Beatrice Mellana reproducing the painting by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres "Odalisque with slave". Dimensions cm. 9.5 x 12.3 x 3.3. Weight gr. 671. Designed by Giorgio Salimbeni in 1979 and manufactured in Florence in numerous specimens with various subjects and different colors, in the headquarters of the Salimbeni Company with completely manual execution by artisan artists with thick slab and large reinforcements suitable for withstanding numerous enamelled firings at about 800° C. Miniature is a very ancient technique which consists of painting works in small proportions. It was born for the decoration of the first letter of the paragraph of the books. Over the years, however, this technique is refined and enriched, then moving on to precious personal items. hand painted miniatures can be done with multiple different techniques. The most important that we use on our articles are of three kinds: 1) Fire enamel. 2) Water tempera on an ivory plate. 3) Painted on mother-of-pearl. Fire enameled miniatures: On a first layer of enamel generally white or very clear or even transparent suitably liquefied at a temperature of about 750 ° C, the chosen subject is painted using miniature...

Japanese Lacquer Inro with Netsuke Okame Mask, brown lacquer with 3 sections and 2 compartments, and carved ivory polychrome Okame mask and a rope hair. This item is from the Meiji P...

1960s hand-painted gold and black lacquer owl nesting boxes. Larger box is signed on the underside "handmade in Burma".

Portapasticche ottagonale in argento 925/100 placcato oro con smalti traslucidi a fuoco su guillochè anche su tutti i fianchi e con rigo sul coperchio. Stile Art Nouveau Inglese prim...

Magnificent Japanese museum quality exhibition piece contemporary decorative porcelain box/centerpiece, extremely intricately hand-painted in vivid blue, orange and green on a stunni...

Beautiful porcelain peint a la main (hand painted) vintage grand piano trinket box by Limoges, circa 1980s. This unusual piece is in very good vintage ...

Decorative Antique Asian round wood box container with lid and brass pull. Vintage collectible Asian wooden tobacco or opium round container. Round shaped lidded opium container...