Dallas Decorative Boxes

PRESENTING A LOVELY Wedgwood Jasperware Pale Blue Small Circular Lidded Vanity Box. Made by Wedgwood in England in 1982 and fully and properly marked/stamped on base. Marked: “Wedgwood, Made in England …. “PH” … “T” ….. “82”. 2.25 inches tall lidded vanity box with a diameter of 3.25 inches. Rolling vine and grape cameo reliefs, all over the lid and base sides. Fabulous large pointed finial on the lid with floral cameo reliefs on the sides. In very good original condition with no chips or cracks. A ‘PERFECT’ match for the larger and almost identical, lidded jasperware box...

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...

PRESENTING A LOVELY Vintage Japanese Temple Style Box. Made of rosewood, this box has a cover featuring ‘Buddhist Swastikas’ on the front. The cover lifts off to reveal a tabernacle with 2 carved dragons on wither side. Probably made in the first quarter of the 20th Century, circa 1920-30. Rectangular shaped for the storage of deities statues...

Keep your jewelry and important documents locked up in this elegant, antique safe from the Champagne-Ardenne region of France. Crafted circa 1880, and built in cast iron, this heavy 162 pound travel safe is decorated with studded hobnails and embellished with floral medallions on each panel. The front door features two center brass wheels with alphabet letters. A two-letter combination activates the key and opens the safe; when opens, the safe reveals an inside with felt, a center metal shelf and a lower walnut wooden door compartment with lock for additional storage. The front door is embellished with the engraved inscription "Incombustible Systeme Bauche Brevete...

Crafted in France, circa 1920, the antique wood and brass fireplace wood coffer stands on casters; the trunk is decorated with repousse tavern scene motifs in the manner of David Ten...

Presenting an absolutely stunning 19c Anglo Ceylonese sewing box of museum quality. Made in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) circa 1860, this is one of the finest sewing boxes of it’s kind that we have ever seen! The box is made from coromandel wood (an exotic hardwood found in Ceylon) and has a serpentine edging all over the front, back and sides. Very often the lids/tops of these boxes suffer cracks due to shrinkage but this one is near perfect with no crack in the lid/top. There is some evidence of natural shrinkage but that is around the edges of the lid/top. It is when you open this box that it reveals it’s true beauty, quality and treasure ! The inside of the lid/top is heavily and beautifully decorated with inlaid bone in scrolling floral patterns which have then been hand painted with red and black ‘lac’ ink. The central medallion is a circle of inlaid specimen exotic hardwoods radiating towards a central bone and hand painted flower. The circle is edged in bone, wood and silver chevrons. What makes this box Exceptionally rare is that it contains 3 lift out base sections. Normally, there would be a maximum of 2. The first tray/section is clearly for the purposes ancillary to sewing with a pair of sections with bone spools for thread etc. There are 17 other lidded compartments with each one highly decorated using hand painted bone and specimen woods to replicate tortoiseshell. The first tray lifts out to reveal a second removeable tray which is made up of a pair of open sections and 8 specimen wood lidded sections each with chevron banding. The third tray is a smaller tray underneath with 14 lidded compartments each with hand painted bone and specimen wood inlaid lids again, replicating the look of tortoiseshell. Again they are banded with a chevron border. This is a museum quality piece ! It is in fantastic condition for it’s age with the minor shrinkage to the edges of the lid/top, some finger pulls missing and some very minor cracks to the tray lids and bases but nothing that in any way detracts from the piece. No key. Dimensions: Closed the box is 16.75 inches wide, 11.25 inches deep and 7.5 inches high Fully open the box is 16.5 inches high, 16.75 inches wide and 11.4 inches deep Anglo-Indian and ceylonese boxes: Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins. Anglo-Indian boxes normally consist of 3 main types:- (1) Most of the best and highest quality Anglo-Indian boxes in the 18th and 19th centuries were made in Vizagapatam, India, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship in using ivory and tortoiseshell and lac decoration. These are referred to as ‘Vizagapatam Boxes...

PRESENTING A STUNNING 19C Irish Coromandel Wood Campaign Decanter Box. STUNNING mid-Victorian Decanter box from circa 1860-1880. Made in Dublin...

Place this elegant, antique Napoleon III copper box in your master bath to keep your jewelry safe and organized. Crafted in France circa 1880, the ornate ...

In 15th and 16th century Europe, the works of blacksmiths from southern Germany were known far and wide. Demand for products by these skilled metal workers spread as far as the Scandinavian countries. Perhaps one of the most intriguing items that was produced by these workshops was the iron money...

Presenting an absolutely gorgeous and very rare 19C Anglo Indian Vizigapatam stamp box. Made in Colonial India (the Time of the Raj) circa 1860. Prob...

A 19th century Turbridge Trinity box with exotic marquetry woods of ships etc. England, circa 1890.

Presenting an absolutely fantastic 19C Anglo Ceylonese lap desk of museum quality. We can safely say that this is one of the finest lap desks we hav...

Decorate a shelf with this elegant antique Majolica box. Crafted in France circa 1950, the decorative and whimsical casket is decorated on all four sides in realistic high relief weave motifs. The removable lid features a bohemian figure lying on his side his feet up and holding his head. The colorful porcelain candy box...

This exquisite, antique pigskin hat box was crafted in Rouen France, circa 1870. This leather box with brass bottom, features leather straps and handle embellished with decorative br...

Beautiful 19th century English Regency burl walnut tea caddy. Lovely shape and pretty details including decorative handles on the sides. Makes an elegant statement!

Another stunning 19th century Anglo-Ceylonese piece. Made circa 1880 in Ceylon (Now Sri Lanka) of Coromandel wood and specimen woods. This is a simply gorgeous and quality item!! Tray made of various compartments with various high quality specimen wood lids, all edged and banded in chevrons of bone, silver or pewter and ebony. The tray itself is made of expensive coromandel wood. There are two open sections on either side of the tray which have bone and hand-painted lac ends. The main tray sits onto a base made of coromandel wood with green baize lining. This tray could have a number of practical uses, for keeping stationary, watches, jewelry, or thinking outside of the box, holding you remote controls and candy!! We have a matching box also in our Inventory and for auction. ANGLO-INDIAN AND CEYLONESE BOXES: Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins. Anglo-indian Boxes normally consist of 3 main types:- (1) Most of the best and highest quality Anglo-Indian boxes in the 18th and 19th Centuries were made in Vizagapatam, India, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship in using ivory and tortoiseshell and lac decoration. These are referred to as ‘Vizagapatam Boxes...

This beautiful antique fruitwood hanging panetière was crafted in Provence, circa 1830. This decorative cabinet stands on scrolled escargot feet over a intricate scalloped apron; it ...

Spanish Colonial inlaid bone and faux tortoiseshell domed top box. Original hammered iron hinges. Circa 1680-1740. Excellent condition and very rare.

A rare pietra dura box by Richard Blow for Montici. Marble top signed with M logo to bottom. Box is wooden with original patinated paint.

For a interesting bar accessory, look no further than this colorful antique Faux-book "Cave à Liqueur". Crafted in France, circa 1860, the liquor box is shaped like four antique book...

Decorate a coffee table or a shelf with this elegant antique box. Created in France circa 1880, the rectangular cabinet is decorated with an elegant floral inlaid star motif on the t...

Antique turn of the century carved Italian mahogany casket in the style of a tomb with scrolls, acanthus leaves, bellflowers and a punch work background with winged griffons on the s...

A Louis XVI kingwood small chest with brass mounts. Opens to a metal lined interior and two velvet working lower drawers. Circa 1700, France.

Alabaster Trinket Boxes, set of four (4) small carved vintage examples. All with tiny contact chips and some fritting to edges of tops and bottom...

Finest quality French 19th century bronze doré box. Beautiful scenes of cherubs at play on all sides. Boucher scenes. Lined with a beautiful silk original key.

A rather unique painted chest from Europe, this table coffer was commissioned in 1915. The right side (when viewing from the front) is dated, with the numbers flanking a springing ra...

This exquisite, antique pigskin box was crafted in Rouen France, circa 1870. This leather box features leather straps and handle embellished with decorativ...

This antique coal scuttle was created in England, circa 1880. Built of copper with a brass and turned walnut handle, the oblong bucket stands on a round base. The versatile decorativ...

A 17th century silver mounted Coromandel wood with mother of pearl inlay traveling box with a Interior fitted with drawers and a reliquary cabinet. W...

Leather carved dome top box with warrior. Red silk interior. Spain, 19th century.

Crafted in southern France circa 1860, and octagonal in shape, the antique box is built of metal with a silvered finish with repousse floral and leaf motifs throughout. The decorative casket...

Decorate a shelf or a lady's bathroom counter with this exquisite jewelry case box. Crafted in France circa 1880 and oblong in shape, the bronze casket stands on openwork plant form ...

Crafted in France, circa 1870, the antique brass coffer is mounted on a wooden frame, and stands on caster wheels. The slant top opens up with stopping chain revealing inside storage...

This elegant antique box was crafted in Italy, circa 1850. The colorful, detailed box features hand painted scenes of people with horses and butterflies. The rectangular box has its ...

This beautifully painted antique box was crafted in France, circa 1870. The chest features hand painted women wearing oriental clothes and dancing. Th...

Decorate a kitchen cabinets with this pair of colorful tea boxes. Crafted in England circa 1950, and built of tinned metal, each decorative box with attached lid, is hand painted wit...

Circa 1750. Tortoiseshell and mother of pearl box with sliding top from Mexico 18th century. Beautiful designs all over. As is condition.

The whip carved wood fox music box with glass eyes, is a finely crafted example of late 19th century decorative carving from the Black Forest region of southern Germany. Rendered in ...

Japanese decorative woven box. Late Edo/Early Meiji Japanese box, with mother-of-pearl and ceramic inlay in autumnal leaf motif. Complete with working lock a...

Place this decorative box on a coffee table to store your remote controls, or display it on a shelf. The box with bombe top, is upholstered with antique Aubusson verdure...

Crafted in France, circa 1920, the antique wood and brass coffer is decorated on the top with a repousse sail boat scene in the manner of Claude Vernet. T...

PRESENTING A LOVELY 19C Anglo Indian Vizagapatam Bone and Shell Domed Stationery Box – ‘Alice’s Box’. Made in Vizagapatam, India, circa 1860-80. We call this one: “Alice’s Box”! It has lived ‘a hard, well used and traveled life’, as is evident from the number of losses and repairs, as is obvious from the photos, especially to the faux ivory panels and bands to the top. The bonus to the loss of the frieze panels to the dome has a ‘bonus’, however, as their loss has revealed the most GORGEOUS faux blonde tortoiseshell underneath! The box is dome/casket shaped. The top has 3 bands, with the center one being the original. The 2 side bands are later ivorine. The faux ivory and hand-painted medallions on the domed lid, have been saved and they depict Hindu Gods, Vishnu and Shiva. The front and side panels are still in pretty good shape and are decorated with lac ink (indelible ink made from crushed beetles) depicting lovely floral designs. The domed lid open to reveal a series of open compartments for envelopes, writing paper etc. and one lidded panel for stamps. Inside the box are 2 paper labels: one probably being the original item ticket and the other with: ” Alice’s address is 272 Ashworth Ave, Toronto 4, Ontario”. Probably, the original owner? Hence, we call it ‘Alice’s Box’. What a journey/life this box has had! Made in India, made its way to Canada, back to Ireland and then to Texas! This is why, WE LOVE ANTIQUES...

Gorgeous 19th century English chinoiserie box with bronze feet. Featuring a beautiful decorative hand painted design. So pretty! Note: As is.

PRESENTING A LOVELY 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Sadeli Mosaic Inlaid Sewing Box. Made in Bombay, India, circa 1880. The box is made of sandalwood with highly carved raised teak wood panels on all sides, depicting temple scenes, animals and foliage. The box is in a sarcophagus form. It is edged in bone (and we can tell it is bone and not ivory, from the color and evidence of capillaries, which are not found in ivory), and banded with Bombay Sadeli mosaic and ebony veneer. The lid opens to reveal a removable tray with various open compartments and lidded compartments. 5 lidded compartments, 1 unlidded compartment and 8 holders for thimbles, etc The tray lifts to reveal a blue velvet (original) lined section, for storing jewelry etc, with sections for collars etc. The inside of the lid has a removable mirror (the mirror is missing on this one but can easily be replaced). Behind the mirror is the original green velvet lining. It has its original brass carry handles on the sides and sits on 4 silvered button feet (of recent origin). Some repairs to the exterior and condition issues (priced accordingly), but still a LOVELY COLLECTIBLE box! These boxes were made by superb Indian craftsmen, specifically for sale to the ruling British elite. These types of boxes, carved padouk and sandalwood, (whilst beautiful and superbly crafted) were of a lesser quality, than the more profusely and intricately mosaic inlay, tortoiseshell and ivory boxes, made for the British ‘Upper Classes’ in the areas of Bombay and Vizagapatam. These type of boxes were much more affordable back in 1880 (and indeed today) and would probably have been bought by mid-level diplomats, civil servants or visitors. Sewing boxes (in general), were in EVERY Victorian home in Britain in the 19th century and like other boxes etc were ‘status symbols’ of your place in society! The more ornate the box, the more ‘Upper Class’ you were! SADELI MOSAIC: “Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins. The ancient art of Sadeli Mosaic is said to have been introduced from Shiraz in Persia via Sind to Bombay, a long time before the Anglo Indian boxes were made. It was a technique, which required a high degree of skill and patience. It was executed very lavishly, in that the frequent cuts wasted a great amount of the precious materials used. The workmanship was however more than commensurable to the value of the materials. Ivory, silver, pewter (or other metals), wood and Horn were cut into faceted rods which were bound together to form geometric patterns. When the glue has set, the rods were sliced in transverse sections. This gave the maker a number of angled circular pieces in the original pattern. Several variations of patterns could be achieved by combining the materials in different ways. The ivory was sometimes dyed green to give an extra color. The mosaic pieces in a combination of patterns, often separated by ivory, ebony, Horn or silver stringing were used to veneer sandalwood boxes. In the early boxes, which date from the turn of the 18th to the 19th century, there are large panels of mosaic covering tops and sides of boxes. It took incredible skill to cover such large areas without any shakes or wavering of the pattern. The corners and joins on these boxes are impeccably matched. The makers (reputed to be Persian) of Sadeli mosaic made in the first two decades of the 19th century displayed a total understanding of the qualities of the different materials they used. They combined substances, which can expand and contract according to atmospheric conditions with others, which are hard and unyielding. The result was a sharp definition of the lines and patterns, which made up the whole design. On the early boxes the designs 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 is not immediately apparent. The earliest Sadeli boxes...

Rare Dutch 18th century Tortoiseshell box with rippled serpentine sides embellished with silver mounts and mobility silver ball feet. Some small cracks in the lid, barely noticeable....

PRESENTING A GORGEOUS 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Sadeli Mosaic Sarcophagus Sewing Box. Made in Bombay, India circa 1860-80. Box made of sandalwood with highly carved teak wood reliefs and panels on all sides. Edged with bone and ebony veneers and glorious sadeli mosaic, made from tiny pieces of faux ivory, pewter, green semi-precious stone. The box is in a sarcophagus form with domed lid. The original brass carry handles are on the sides. The interior is in great condition and consists of a removeable mirror under the lid portion, with the original red velvet lining behind it. The base is removeable and contains a number of lidded compartments. 6 of the interior lids on the base, are each inlaid with sadeli mosaic banding. The rest are also carved and chased. The interior is fully complete with 7 lidded faux ivory/bone, thread canisters with sadeli domes and the original bone thimble. The box sits on 4 brass ball or bun feet with the original velvet lining on the base. Some minor repairs and losses, but this box is fully complete. This is ‘rare’ as many of these boxes have not survived in such condition! Included in the sale are 2 photos that were in the box (under the base tray). Interestingly, one of them is a view of downtown Nassau, New Providence (Bermuda) from the early 20C and stamped on the rear. What a ‘journey’ this piece has made! Made in India … travelled to Bermuda, probably via Britain … back to Ireland (where we bought it) …. then to Texas! These boxes were made by superb Indian craftsmen, specifically for sale to the ruling British elite. These types of boxes, carved padouk and sandalwood, (whilst beautiful and superbly crafted) were of a lesser quality, than the more profusely and intricately mosaic inlay, tortoiseshell and ivory boxes, made for the British ‘Upper Classes’ in the areas of Bombay and Vizagapatam. These type of boxes were much more affordable back in 1880 (and indeed today) and would probably have been bought by mid-level diplomats, civil servants or visitors. Sewing boxes (in general), were in EVERY Victorian home in Britain in the 19th Century and like other boxes etc were ‘status symbols’ of your place in society! The more ornate the box, the more ‘Upper Class’ you were! Of it’s type, this one, is one of the very higher quality one’s, than the norm! SADELI MOSAIC: “Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins. The ancient art of Sadeli Mosaic is said to have been introduced from Shiraz in Persia via Sind to Bombay, a long time before the Anglo Indian boxes were made. It was a technique, which required a high degree of skill and patience. It was executed very lavishly, in that the frequent cuts wasted a great amount of the precious materials used. The workmanship was however more than commensurable to the value of the materials. Ivory, silver, pewter (or other metals), wood and horn were cut into faceted rods which were bound together to form geometric patterns. When the glue has set, the rods were sliced in transverse sections. This gave the maker a number of angled circular pieces in the original pattern. Several variations of patterns could be achieved by combining the materials in different ways. The ivory was sometimes dyed green to give an extra color. The mosaic pieces in a combination of patterns, often separated by ivory, ebony, horn or silver stringing were used to veneer sandalwood boxes. In the early boxes, which date from the turn of the 18th to the 19th century, there are large panels of mosaic covering tops and sides of boxes. It took incredible skill to cover such large areas without any shakes or wavering of the pattern. The corners and joins on these boxes are impeccably matched. The makers (reputed to be Persian) of Sadeli mosaic made in the first two decades of the 19th century displayed a total understanding of the qualities of the different materials they used. They combined substances, which can expand and contract according to atmospheric conditions with others, which are hard and unyielding. The result was a sharp definition of the lines and patterns, which made up the whole design. On the early boxes the designs 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 is not immediately apparent. The earliest Sadeli boxes...

Charming French late 19th century Empire style salesman sample. Makes a fine accessory.

This beautiful antique jewelry box set was crafted in Paris, France, circa 1855. The box was made by Peret, a Parisian goldsmith, cabinetmaker and leather maker. Peret received a first class medal at the Exposition Universelle in 1855 (see engraving on the front). The box has an engraved crest on top with initials and crown, and several dividers inside. The compartments are outfitted with silver accessories, which include one square cut-glass bottle, two round glass bottles with silver tops and one rectangular cut-glass bottle. Inside the first tray, you'll also find two round powder glass containers with silver top, a long glass brush holder (brush included), a smaller rectangular shaving brush glass holder (brush included), all of them with a silver lid ornamented and finely chiseled with scrolls, shells and foliage, and a rectangular glass soap container with silver top. The next tray underneath features all the necessary for manicure, pedicure, hair cutting...

A beautiful renaissance revival red velvet with gilt bronze doré letter box with shields and putti. In the style of EF Caldwell (1851–1914), not signed. Circa 1890, New York, US.  

This 18th century Italian gilded reliquary box is made to contain a personal relic or shine. It has brackets for wall mounting. The front of the door has...

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...

PRESENTING A VERY NICE 19C Anglo Indian Highly Carved Teak and Sandalwood Sarcophagus Sewing Box. Made in Bombay, India circa 1890-1900. The box case/body is made of sandalwood wit...

This sturdy box is slightly waxy to the touch. Giving light to the olden way of preserving carved wood. There are blue pieces to this box that give off a cultural and exotic feel. Th...

This short Italian stand is gilded in gold and was made sometime in the early 19th century. The 4 supports were carved in a serpentine form with a leaf on each one. It has something ...

Place this elegant antique box on a desk, a vanity or a table to hold small objects and keepsakes. Crafted in England, circa 1860, the fruitwood box has double compartments inside no...

Presenting a gorgeous and extremely rare pair mid-19th century, metal tea bins, by Henry Troemner of Philadelphia, PA in the chinoiserie style. From circa 1845. Made of black enamel...

Decorate a coffee table or a shelf with this elegant and colorful casket. Crafted in Italy circa 1880, the Venetian box stands on heavily carved feet decorated with gilt acanthus lea...

Hand-carved from walnut in France, circa 1880, this unusual inkwell features foliate and floral motifs. A flip-top lid adorned with a pair of bas relief flowers tops the central pen ...