Continental Europe - Boxes

Description: Silver snuff box with engraved wreaths and floral motifs surrounding a monogram card. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Javali II Title. Weight: 85.53 grams. Dim...

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...

Hostiary. Bronze. 16th century. A circular, tubular bronze box with a finial lid, to which a piece of tubing is attached, forming a press for the interior of the case. It features a...

This stunning humidor, a masterpiece of design and craftsmanship, is a captivating addition that transcends mere functionality. Enveloped in the deepest shade of black, its high-glos...

Chest of polished ebony with grade 2 safe. Shiny black steel. Contents 6 drawers lined to store all sorts of jewels and necklace bar. Brass-plated 24-karat gold accessories. Uniqu...

COUNTER CASH 17th Century Flemish in walnut wood with inlays, consisting of two drawers and a drawer. Signs of use. Dim.: 31.5 x 44 x 27 cm good state

This striking vintage hexagonal box is crafted from ceramic, featuring a vibrant yellow top that transitions into a textured black and green base with a unique abstract pattern and a...

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...

Beautiful modernist jewelry box designed and produced by J. Capo Esmaltes in Spain during the 1970's. This handcrafted box with red, blue and white enamel details is a true work of a...

Handcrafted Pewter Cigar Box with Brass Inlays, Fleur-de-Lys Motif, 1970s France This exceptional handcrafted cigar box, made in France in the 1970s by a master artisan specializing ...

RARE IBERIAN SAFE from the first half of the 17th Century in painted and gilded carved wood decorated with plant motifs. Small defects. Dim.: 34 x 43 x 35 cm

Silver Sugar box, Vienna 1867-1872 An Austrian-Hungary silver sugar box with hinged lid. On the lid a rose with leaves as knob. A rectangular box with beautiful round scalloped body...

1970 Italian Decorative Box Decorative box in wood and inox. Italy. 1970 H. 6 cm W. 30 cm D. 20 cm

This very unusual French cigar box features a silver bronze dog wearing guarding his master's cigars.It stands at the window of his dog house and at the end of its chain, there is th...

The VASILIS round woven leather basket is designed for those who are seeking a container that combines style and functionality, enriching the envi...

Hammered copper casket with a gently pitched lid, floral ornamentation, and sculptural brass feet, designed by Einar Backström in the 1930s. * Lidded, hand-hammered copper casket wi...

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...

Box with metal marquetry. Wood, metal. Possibly French school, 19th century. Has damage. Requires restoration. Rectangular chest with a flat lid that has a dark wood interior decor...

This fascinating chest, dating from the early 1900s, is crafted in a medieval style and features gilded bronze with glass inlays. The intricate design and detailed craftsmanship make...

Beautiful Cigar humidor, stamped by Charles Guillaume DIEHL (1811 - 1885), in ebony with inlaid decoration of friezes of scrolls, fleurons and lanceolate leaves, inside with five dra...

Rare decorative box designed by Hans Hansen. Produced in Denmark.

Pear Decorative Box in Teak - Mid-Century Wooden Jewelry Box - Danemark 1960s Nice wooden box shaped like a pear, very typical of Danish design from this era. It opens in two halve...

Smoking Set, brass and wood tray, ashtray, table lighter and cigars box Italy 1970 wood, brass, resin Tray: H 1,5 cm x 38 x 38 cm Ashtray: H 3,5 x 19,5 x 19,5 cm Table Lighter: ...

Pair of small painted ceramic egg boxes raised on tripod legs. France, circa 2000.

Marvelous & luxurious ! This most rare 19th century French antique Napoleon III jewelry box. Great large size jewelry box that can be used to store your jewelry in style! Very rar...

Metal safe varnished only in front for recessed placement in existing furniture. Round handle with biometric opening device and emergency key integrated. Se...

Luxurious and rare antique opal glass box. This kind of jewelry boxes was mainly made in France, Italy and formerly Bohemia. They were made from the early 19th century to the early 2...

Travel roll for 4 watches. Capacity for up to 4 watches on the adjustable roll. Available in three finishing options, see information below for details. Brown: Brown leather and mat...

A charming and rare French jewelry box dating from the late 19th-century, entirely covered on the exterior in rich royal blue velvet. The rectangular form is beautifully enhanced wit...

Beautiful walnut desktop box which opens into a writing slope. Decorated on the outside with 2 decorative inlaid tunbridge ware bands. Box opens out to a beige fabric writing slo...

Unique silver box by K Anderson Stockholm Sweden 1932 signed K anderson and has all the embossed with all stamps for Swedish silver. This unique model probably custom made by K Ande...

Agresti Il Passatempo chest with 4 watch winders. Available in two variations, please see information below for variation details. Ebony: Polished ebony chest with 4 watch winders en...

Beautiful jewelry box in lucite with chromed details designed and produced in Italy, 1970's. The way this piece reflects the light is simply beautiful and makes this piece ideal for ...

Metal top chest with GRADE 2 safe. Shiny black steel. Contents 6 drawers lined to store all sorts of jewels and necklace bar. Brass plated 24-karat gold accessories. Unique featur...

This large box is a jewelry box or a decorative box. It was made in the 19th century, in England, Period. Its lid is made in wood, red and brown in color.

Rare wooden box with lid by unknown designer. Produced in Sweden.  

An elegant 19th-century chest crafted from wood covered in embossed red leather, adorned with a delicate geometric motif in relief that covers the entire exterior surface. The slight...

A beautiful and elegant round lidded storage box, vintage from the 1950s, designed and handcrafted by Werkstätte Carl Auböck in Vienna/Austria. Originally intended as a cigarette dis...

Vintage Chanel Timeless bag in black wool with 24-karat gold hardware. A true original classic. In very good pre-owned condition with no significant flaws to note, except for minor s...

Old Chinese Opium Box in Cloisonné Enamel, decorated with Vases and Flowers. French Private Collection

Primavera France, 1920s–1930s This ceramic piece was produced by Primavera, the renowned design atelier created by the Parisian department store Printemps in the early 20th century....

Meticulously crafted from varnished wood with an ultra-glossy finish in red, this humidor pays homage to Cuba's vibrant heritage with its iconic flag printed glass design. The aromat...

One of a kind large decorative box Outside : exotic wood and ceramic Inside suede and leather

Cube tissue box holder handcrafted from premium blue sodalite, carefully selected for its intense blue color and distinctive natural veining. The polished finish enhances the depth a...

A refined and elegant collector's item designed by Piero Fornasetti. This rare rectangular box made of lacquered metal and wood embodies the ironic, cultured, and eclectic spirit of ...

French round decorative box dating from the 1950s, crafted from wood with a warm honey-brown finish. The lid is adorned with a finely detailed engraved landscape scene, depicting tre...

Brass-plated, 24-karat gold accessories. Unique features of this certified product includes: High level steel with several layers of chrome carbides for straightening Internal hinges...

Large Art Nouveau silver jewelry box France 1900-1910 This gem of a jewelry box from France is not only heavy but is also extremely decorative due to its elongated shape. The basic decoration consists of closely placed grooves that recur both front and back, as well as on the side and on the lid. Furthermore, the lid has 2 square fields in which 2 girls' heads are stamped. Both wear a floral hair...

Large Danish Mid-Century Modern Studio Pottery Teapot by Merethe Bloch, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark, Additional informat...

Robert and Jean Cloutier sculpture horse. Made with glazed ceramic. Ceramic box. A fine black enameled sculptural horse shaped box. Signed Circa 196...

An original black painted portable desk from the end of the 18th century. With owner initials, the desk has a French hand-written address on the inside. ...

A beautiful and rare mid-century modern cigarette box designed by the renowned Italian artist, Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988), in the 1960s. This piece is part of the iconic "Le Porte ...

Shiny white bird's-eye maple shiny jewel box with 24-karat pink gold hardware. Necklace on the top and removable tray.

Comprised of a hygrometer and a humidifier holder, this first-rate cigar box holds up to 20-30 cigars. A sublime display of traditional craftsmanship harmoniously blending with conte...

A stylish graduated pair of handcrafted ceramic lidded boxes dating from the 20th century, beautifully finished in a rich olive-green glaze. Designed as a matching pair in two differ...

An elegant, rectangular wooden box, decorated with elaborate geometric inlay work in light and dark tones. The lid features a composition of small rectangular panels with circular mo...

Charming vintage ceramic box from Vallauris, adorned with a hand-painted design of colorful, abstract motifs. The white surface is enlivened by free touches of green, blue, pink, and...

Box "Deux Pigeons" made in frosted glass with sepia patina by René Lalique in 1919. Molded signature on the edge of the lid. Perfect condition. Great patina and very rare model. h...

A box from Alphonse Giroux in Paris The whole is adorned with a finely chased bronze Neo-Gothic-style frame decorated with symmetrical foliage, flowers and scrolls, notably framing t...

Introducing our exquisite Small Rectangular Box, a beautiful relic from the turn of the 20th century that showcases a captivating blend of artistic styles. This charming box is a tes...