Benelux - Boxes

Silver sugar box raised on four feet, Vienna Austria, 1853 A square silver Austrian box in round bomb form with hinged cover and floral knob, raise...

A Japanese Nagasaki export lacquer box with mother-of-pearl depiction of the Amsterdam ‘Trippenhuis’ Edo-period, circa 1830 H. 12.5 x W. 24...

Leather trunk Spanish, 17th century Boiled Leather, wood and iron Measures: 22 x 53 x 32 cm. Provenance : - collection Metz-Noblat, Château de Clevant, France Rectangular trunk of the form and size of a small suitcase with wrought iron hinges and lock-plate. Wood, covered with leather, cut and embossed with every surface of the thick cow hide covered in interlace, zoomorphic features. The construction method is boiled leather, often referred to by its French translation cuir-bouilli: a process used to change flexible, vegetable-tanned leather into rigid, moulded objects. For shaping of the vegetable-tanned leather, heat and moisture were used, as indicated by the term boiled leather. No written medieval sources describing the production of decorated cuir bouilli objects survive, so knowledge of the process relies on the important studies of the Scottish leather historian John William Waterer. A large range of methods, materials and techniques could be used in various combinations. The vegetable-tanned leather, made supple with moisture and heat, was stuffed, shaped and nailed to the rigid wooden coffer support. The stuffing material was probably modeled beeswax or stearin wax. To shape the leather, to create its topography, « Cushions » were made by lacing a thread through an awl hole and attaching the flexible leather and stuffing to the rigid wooden support on the bottom. Then the decoration was done: lines were incised through the upper layer of the leather (epidermis) with different thicknesses of knives or needles. Contours were created with deep v-shaped cuts, decoration with thin incision and final details with a needle point. For the incision and pouncing stage, the leather was probably kept heated and moistened for suppleness. Once dry, the leather would be hard and rigid. the saturated leather is worked over a form, possibly even damp sand, with the pattern shaped using bone or wooden tools. Compare to metal, leather was lighter and it offered protection from cuts and punctures. Cuir bouilli objects were produced by specialist leather workers and needed skillful craftsmanship. The surface is filled with roundels shaped foliages enclosing animals, lions and peacocks. The foliate arabesques creating a vegetal connection tweet the animals create the impression of a lush verdant space . The vegetal pattern here employed in combination with geometrical pattern came from the pre-islamic artistic traditions of the Byzantine and Sasanian empires. An aspect of Islamic geometry Is the basic symmetrical repetition and mirroring of the shapes that create a sense of harmony. The decoration of this truck is inspired by the islamic « arabesque » a form of vegetal ornament composed of spirals, intertwining plants and abstract curvilinear motifs. An arabesque character is given to the birds of the decorations through extreme stylisation. This arabesque maintained the classical tradition of median symmetry, freedom in Detail and heterogeneity of ornament. The presence of the peacocks is a paradisiacal allusion: in popular Islamic literature they were among the original inhabitants of the garden of Paradise expelled with Adam and Eve. Peacock as a decorative motif may have originated in the West, despite their eastern provenance. There was an ancient belief that the flesh and feathers of peacock do not decay. This led to the peacock becoming a christian symbol for Christ’s resurrection. Renowned for their decorative wall hangings, seventeenth-century Spanish leatherworkers also produced utilitarian objects, such as this trunk. A similar trunk is on display at the Metropolitan museum of art ( 09.158.1). Related literature : Davies L. 2006. Cuir bouilli. Conservation of leather and related materials, 94-102, Oxford: elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann Grabar, Oleg. The Mediation of Ornament. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1992 Gabriela Germana Roquez, "El mueble en el Peru en el siglo XVIII...

Porcelain casket on legs from Weimar Manufactory. 1970s. Germany. The box is almost like a woman's handbag – you open it and you can get lost in e...

A charming satin and rosewood, ebony and teak collectors’ table-cabinet Sri Lanka, second half of the 18th century Measures: H. 86.5 x W. 62.5 x D. 34.7 cm In the top of the shaped cornice, there is a carving of a butterfly or moth. Under the cornice two panelled doors with scorched chequered motif, and under the doors one long drawer. When the doors are locked, so is the drawer. Behind the two doors, there are eight drawers, suitable to store small collectors’ items, such as a coin collection, or mineral specimens, small shells, collections of animal teeth, etc. The 17th and 18th centuries saw a wide-spread interest in exotic cultures and collecting of botanical, zoological and geological specimens...

Swedish antique pine and birch wooden butter storage box . Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 century. Hand graved 1882 inside the lid. Nice addition in...

Lidded Pot in Wood, Europe, 1950s. Wonderful lidded pot in solid turned wood. Great design with rings all over - even the handle on the lid is a ring itself. Would be wonderful as a...

Very nice and early overture music box, probably by Lecoultre (alltough unsigned). The key wind mechanism plays 4 overtures with a nice and bright tone on a very fine comb. The fad c...

Rare keywind music box by Nicole Freres. Playing 8 tunes as indicated on the original tunesheet. 7 tunes by Bellini from the opera's Puritana, La Norma. 1 tune by Donizetti. Althoug...

Exceptional big Italian Pharmacy pot with cover from Tuscany,Italy, elegant object with few decorations, good old patina and warm finish of the wood, ...

A refined French lidded box, embelished all around with floral motifs in Black Forest style. Made of casted bronze with the original brown patina finish. The box is marked, L. Oudry & Cie. With key, lock is not working. Léopold Oudry...

this early music box plays 4 cheerful melodies on a 20.5cm cylinder as provided on the original melody card. Nicole Freres was the leading manufacturer of music boxes in the 19th cen...

Scottish sewing set of Tartan ware, 19th century Set of 4 items of Tartanware, Scottish sewing set, exists of a rectangular box, marked by Stuart A thread...

Beautiful old tramp art box, jewelry box or trinket, trinket box, made in the first half of the 20th century, Belgium. Beautiful form of folk art, anyone could make a tramp art obje...

Good quality and excellent condition antique box. This straight lined cigar box is another one of our timeless items that will also make a great gift for someone who has never owned...

A very pleasing, late 19th century, double compartment tea caddy. This marvellous and rare tea caddy is in very good condition and the burl walnut has a truly warm, deep and rich pa...

Swedish antique pine and birch hand painted wooden barrel. Made to be used as a washing basin. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 century. Beautiful patin...

Silver black enameled box by Leo Wagner, 1921-1922 An octagonal Austrian (Vienna) silver black enameled with a gold-plated interior box made by Le...

1970's Rattan and Brass Umbrella Wear consistent with age and use Boho decoration - Vintage Italian - 1970s Measures : Materials: Bamboo - Brass

Italian silver box raised on 4 feet, 1970s Italian silver box in curvy octagonal shape with repousse design of flowers and scrolls The purity de...

Swedish antique pine and birch wooden backpack storage box. It was use to pickup the berries in the woods. Fine quality of birch bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 centur...

Set of 4 vintage Indonesian nesting bowls, made of light wood that is painted black with gold decoration, jewelry or jewelry boxes, circa mid 20th century. These beautiful bowls are...

An important Japanese lacquer box with a view of The 'Nieuwe Stadsherberg Van Amsterdam Nagasaki, Edo-period, 1830-1840 The black lacquered wood box, decorated in gold and inla...

Arts & Crafts Wine Cave with Decorative Metal Work, circa 1920s Box from the Arts & Crafts period, Made in France A very special item with decorative metal work on top. Definitely o...

Arts & Crafts Wine Cave with Decorative Metal Work, circa 1920s Box from the Arts & Crafts period, Made in France A very special item with decorative metal work on top. Definitely o...

Wonderful art deco box in silver plate, mid 20th century. This is a fine art deco style decorative silver plated box with a very distinct sunburst design. Great as a decorative box...

A very pleasing to the eye, early 1800s triple compartment tea caddy. This marvellous tea caddy is in very good condition and the patinated nutwood has a truly warm, deep and rich p...

Swedish antique pine and birch wooden storage box. It was painted blue with black edges. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 century. More units could be f...

Stunning and rare Antique decorative box. Striking Dutch design from the 19th century. Solid oak with nicely hand-carved elements. The origin...

A fine Indonesian Ambonya burl, ebony and teak casket with silver mounts Jakarta (Batavia), circa 1706 (year letter W (1705-1710), marked DV, probably Dirck Vooght The outer ri...

Nice Quality with superb decoration. Additional information: Material: Bronze / Copper Region of Origin: Japan Period: 19th century Meiji Periode (1867-1912) Condition: Some small ...

18th Century French Walnut Wooden Snuffbox, "Le Patre" French Walnut Wooden Snuffbox Titled "Le Patre" Walnut wooden box with a scene of a landscape Beautiful detailed cut scenery o...

Great craftsmanship with a great Patina from the early 1900s inlaid with Wood and other woodtypes. If you are looking for a stylish and truly decorative box to grace your table or d...

Swedish antique pine hand build wooden kitchen cabinet. Made to be used as a dough plater storage to the left side and a storage to the right side. Fine quality of wood. It is a true...

Belgium / 1900 / box / De Beuckelaer /tin / Art Nouveau / Art Deco A beautiful decorated tinnen buiscuit box by De Beuckerlaer, made in Belgium around 1900. Decorated with 4 diffe...

An European Chinese export "Canton enamel" oval box, 18th century Qianlong, (1736-1795) An enamel box with floral decor made for the export for Euro...

A 19th century snuff box with intarsia A horn snuff box with a diamond-shaped embedded smaller diamond-shaped surfaces on the box in relief. The box has been a utensil and is in goo...

Unique and all handcrafted, wrought iron box attr. to Hugo Berger Goberg. It is always refreshing to find an antique object probably by a famous maker, that you have never seen befo...

Mid-Century Modern Ice Bucket by Aldo Tura, circa 1960, Italy.

Dutch silver pill box, 1863 A Dutch silver small cartouche-shaped pill box with engraved floral decor on the lid. The silver box has a hinged lid. The box is Dutch silver hallmarked...

19th century wooden shoe shaped snuff boxes Snuff boxes in the shape of a shoe. One papier-mache, one pewter and one wooden. The papier-mache and the pewter have a flap at the top. The wooden snuff...

19th century English barrel shaped wall-mounted salt box A 19th century English curved wood wall-mounted salt box/ jar in light colored wood and mahogany strips, 1830-1850 The l...

Early Fad Cylinder music box made in Geneva by Nicole Freres. This is a good example of those early music boxes. The mechanisme has a fad cylinder and plays 8 tunes in a 2 per turn...

Dutch Silver box by Zaanse Zilversmederij, 1916 A Dutch silver box 835/1000 purity of silver, completely Dutch silver hallmarked. With lion, master's...

Antique Swedish Large Wooden 'Svepask' Storage Box – Dated 1851, Handmade Folk Craft A rare and authentic example of 19th-century Swedish folk art, this large 'Svepask' storage box ...

Turned, engraved and openwork box Fruit wood Florence, 17th century Measures: Diameter 11cm Height 4.4cm.  

Austrian silver and gilt with guilloche box by Alexander Sturm, Co. A silver-plated and gilt box with a guilloche pattern outside the box and a movable ...

A unique, decorative and multipurpose box. If you are looking for a handsome and stylish box for keeping your jewelry or other 'objects of Virtue' than this handcrafted piece could be perfect for you. The maker has gone to great length in making this box, because all sides are perfectly inlaid with square faux shell...

Swedish antique pine hand carved wooden barrel. Made to be used as a grain storage. Fine quality of wood. It is a true piece from the early 19 century. Beautiful patina on the inside...

“J’ai grand appétit de vous” (I have a big appetite for you) by Line Vautrin, gilt bronze box. Gilt bronze box, the lid finely chiseled with a rebus. The rebus can be deciphered as...

“La ville à la campagne” a set of two gilt bronze boxes by Line Vautrin. Rare set of two gilt bronze boxes, the lid of the main box is chiseled with a decoration representing a town,...

Rare Nicole Frères music box – exclusively playing Mozart Beautiful Swiss music box by Nicole Frères, made in the second half of the 19th century. Wooden case: Exterior features a r...

France / 1900 / sewing box / wood / Art Deco / Art Nouveau An elegant jewelry box in sculpted wood. Crafted around 1900 in France. A beautiful box to keep your small treasures saf...

Lovely 19th c Antique Meiji Period Japanese Lacquer box. Additional information: Material: Lacquer Region of Origin: Japan Period: 19th century, 20th century Japan Dynasty Period: M...

A Dutch silver box with "De Nachtwacht" Rembrandt by H. Hinne, 1911. A silver box in relief with a scene on the lid of the painting by Rembrandt "De Nachtwacht" A rectangular box, raised on 4 legs with a hinged lid. The sides of the box in relief depict a Dutch peasant...

A beautiful antique 19th century Capodimonte porcelain jewelery box in high relief and hand painted decoration with bronze gilt frame 10.5 x 7.5 cm, height 3.4 cm Perfect condition, ...

French early 19th Century lacquered papier mâché snuff box Lacquered Papier Mâché Snuff Box, Calendar 1811, Names of All Saints Per Day. Frenc...

Timeless and all handcrafted, Parisian 'display box' from the mid 1800s. If you are looking for an exclusive and very stylish box for yourself or a loved one then this avantgardisti...

Dutch silver pill box, 1852 A Dutch silver small cartouche-shaped pill box with engraved symbol decor on the lid. The silver box has a hinged lid. The box is Dutch silver hallmarked...

Papier-Mâché snuffbox, A snuff box painted with a portrait of a bearded man with a turban, possibly after a painting by Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich...