19th Century Decorative Boxes

This is a small oval shaped antique metal Pill Box with Inlay to the lid and dating to the Edwardian or late Victorian period. The box is made ...

This is an antique lidded dish made of cranberry glass. It is a type of decorative glassware known for its distinctive pink or red color, which is created by adding gold chloride to ...

Amazing Marquetry and inlay on this Sorrento Napoli Box C1880. There is craftsmanship of the highest caliber all over this box. Box front drops down to reveal inside completely cover...

Beautiful and rare Gothic Revival treasure box with bronze handle. If you are a collector of antique boxes and/or if you are looking for an extraordinary jewelry box to grace your credenza or side table then this unique and top quality made specimen in the Gothic style could be perfect. Gothic Revival boxes are very hard to find and we have never seen one with such prodigious carvings on all sides. The unique and cat-like dragon gargoyles (with fangs) that look like they are carrying this casket, are just some of the stunningly carved and detailed sculptures that make this antique rarity even more artistic and impressive. Another great feature are the peacock sculptures. In Christianity the peacock is the symbol of purity. Christians believe that once someone has passed their soul rises and goes to heaven. This is why in earlier times Christians would spread the feathers of a peacock over the deceased since it symbolized a pure soul that was immune to corruption. The peacock also represents immortality, resurrection, and the spiritual teachings of Jesus Christ and the Christian church. Have you also noticed the top quality details on both ends of the bronze handle on top? The quality of that ornamental work is of the absolute highest standard also. There are many more incredibly beautiful, hand carved details and together they show that no expense was spared to create one of the most amazing Gothic caskets...

Large 19th Century Tortoiseshell Sewing Box

More information coming soon… A beautiful Dutch table box, dating to circa 1850, hand-painted on all sides in the traditional cobalt blue and white of Delft pieces. All sides and t...

Italian, likely Circa 1880. This beautiful box has an exceptional Grand Tour Micro-mosaic plaque depicting the Capitoline Doves or Doves of Pliny after the Roman antiquity. Also by ...

Late 19Thc Shaker pantry boxes in fine condition and all matching stack.This matching stack of four boxes are in great condition and all have copper nail construction.Sold as a coll...

An antique English sterling silver and cut-glass vanity, dresser, or bath/powder room jar box, Victorian period, circa late-19th century, England. The sterling silver top/lid has a r...

An elegant late 19th century Imperial Russian Malachite casket, showcasing the richly figured beauty of Ural Malachite. The rectangular form is finely veneered in carefully book-mat...

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 ...

Inlaid table cabinet with six compartments and two handles. This is a beautifully decorated crafted box reflecting the craftsmanship and cultural influences of Goa during the colonia...

A Stunning Regency Era Rosewood Hand-Crafted Writing Slope. With Purple Velvet Interior, Secret Compartments. Befit With The Original Brass Topped Square Glass Inkwells. Decorated ...

Hailing from Gueux, in the northeast of France, this incombustible cast iron safe was constructed by the French company, Bauche, circa 1870, as indicated by the foliate placard on th...

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

19th century English dresser box made from exquisitely grained rosewood. The box has wonderfully inlaid patterns on the top and front in...

A weighty antique Victorian burl walnut vanity or dressing box featuring a lift-up lid that opens to a blue velvet fitted interior. It contains multiple cut glass bottles and jars wi...

Rustic Spanish chateau champagne grape harvesting basket constructed from woven wicker reeds. Features a thick braided top with handles ...

Chinese for the English market, 19th century. A fine quality antique Chinese export tea caddy decorated with beautiful gilding surfaces, a hinged lid which opens to reveal a tooled ...

19th Century Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut Brass Bound Writing Slope With A Tooled Black Leather Scriver Slope will include A Single Glass Inkwell A vintage pen S moder...

This is a beautiful antique large Italian Capodimonte porcelain table casket, 1880 in date. It features a gladiatorial scene with the Emperor and Empress on the lid, the sides are l...

Chinese Huanghuali wood box decorated with bronze mountings and motifs of bats, fish and moths. The top features a classic Chinese medallion mounted to the centre of the lid. In un...

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...

LIMOGES ENAMEL PANELS From our Decorative collection, we are delighted to offer this French Napoleon III Ormolu and Enamel Jewellery Box. The Jewellery...

A very charming Swedish Snuff Box made in Cow Horn during the 19th century. Wear consistent with age and use.

Vintage late 19th century Tramp Art Box inset with mirror and fabric. "Tramp Art" objects began in the 1870s, driven by the abundance of wooden cigar boxes and their availability to ...

An exceptional circa 1860 Russian decorative box crafted in carved bone and richly embellished with stained green bone panels, intricate etched decoration, and finely detailed hand p...

This is a magnificent antique brass bound coromandel Victorian Gothic Revival casket by Parkins and Gotto, 24 & 25 Oxford Street, London, circa 1860...

19th Century Pair of French Majolica Cabbage Tureen.

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Casket Shaped boulle Sewing Box with Full Contents From our Sewing Box collection, we are delighted to introduce to the market this English Boulle Sewing B...

A Handsome Campaign Style Box with nice deep color and decorative brass mounts, top medallion and escutcheon (lacking a key). The inside lid and sides lined in dark green velvet, the bottom with vintage printed paper...

A fine antique Pre-Revolution Russian Imperial silver-gilt & cloisonné enamel coin purse/case, Moscow, 1899. The purse with the maker's mark in Cyrillic and the assayer's mark for Iv...

A beautiful antique and all handcrafted jewelry box with a striking velvet lining. This rare and larger size jewelry box or casket makes a beautiful accessory for a lady with an eye for fine arts. It is a very well made gem and highly practical with seven drawers and a good working lock and key in the right door and two sliding brass 'locks' in the inside of the left door. This box opens and closes perfectly and its striking presence will grace your vanity or dresser in a way that no modern piece ever could. The drawers come with a stunning blue lining and the three 'tiers' each have their own kind of interior. The top tier may have been made for pocket watches or circular brooches. The one below could have been made for necklaces and/or bracelets and the two bottom tiers, consisting of four drawers would have been used for all other types of jewelry. Have you also noticed the striking bronze handles? They too add to the grandeur of this striking antique gems box...

Magnificent French Liquor Cabinet This cabinet opens to Reveal decanters and Crystal Glasses Baccarat Style set within burr Wood Case C1880s

An Exceptionally Fine Quality English Well Figured Rosewood Ladies or Gents English Georgian Travelling Writing Slope of outstanding quality and unusually large proportions, with lav...

This is a very good quality English mid 19th C Victorian period box or document box with fine inlaid detail, having a hinged lid with a brass swan neck handle, dating to the mid/ ear...

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...

A Beautiful & Luxurious Handcrafted Victorian Bramah Fold-out Travelling Writing Companion With Fitted Leather Interior, Ceramic Blotting Tablets. Complete with Beautifully Desi...

A superb Folk Art sailors valentine Tramp Art keepsake box. Wide in form, this beautiful Primitive wood carved box features the letters S and M with a heart between on both sides. Tw...

Sophisticated American folk art box. Wood painted and inlaid with mother of pearl. 19th century.

A Swedish original painted Folk Art box. From the beginning of the 19th century, most likely used to keep writing supplies and office materials.

This listing is for a beautiful Austrian figural pincushion, circa 1890s. A beautiful collector's item and sure to be a lovely addition to any room or collection. Purchased for you a...

Very fine English early 19th century mahogany architectural model of a church, the multiple steeples flanking a faux carved slate shingled room, wh...

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Bentwood Box from Hälsingland, Northern Sweden. Oval box with lid. Originalpainted with nice patina after several hundred years of use. Beautifully pain...

English Regency brass inlaid sewing box, c1810, rosewood with original silk interior raised on gilt brass feet. The top lifts to a divided interi...

Pair of original white painted furkins in good condition.Small & large furkins from a private collection.They are most unusual to find stacked. Measurements are as follows - Smaller...

Unusual, Victorian, beautiful, all sterling silver gilt dresser jar, Dominick and Haff, New York, year dated for 1890. Lovely interlocking script m...

Rectangular Japanese box in lacquered papier-mâché with hand-painted decoration, Japan, 19th century. An elegant rectangular box in black lacquered papier-mâché, adorned with a delicate hand-painted design depicting cranes among reeds in a landscape inspired by Japanese artistic tradition. Executed in subtle shades of gray, gold, and brown against a deep black background, this composition evokes the serenity and refinement of Meiji-era decorative arts. The exquisite decoration, combined with the simplicity of the form, testifies to the craftsmanship of 19th-century Japanese artisans. Originally intended for storing documents, accessories, or precious objects, this box is now valued as both a collector's item and a decorative piece. A representative piece of the enduring passion for Japanese art, prized for its timeless elegance and exquisite craftsmanship. Style : Japonisme Japanese decorative art Meiji period Orientalist Japanese lacquer Late 19th century Main characteristics : Rectangular box with lid Black lacquered papier-mâché Hand-painted decoration Crane and aquatic plant motif Handcrafted Beautiful patina of age Japan, 19th century Decorative and collectible object Keywords : Japanese papier-mâché box, antique Japanese box, lacquered papier-mâché box, Meiji period box, Japanese decorative box, hand-painted lacquer box, crane motif box, oriental storage box, antique Japanese lacquerware...

Low Elongated 19th Century English Tortoiseshell Box with Bone Ball Feet

19th century William IV period mahogany campaign box or small chest with brass mounts. An unusual size for this type of chest, quite handsome, and large enough to store a fair amount...

Superb stationary box Probably Kashmir, Indian sub-continent The finest of printed paper applied to softwood. Blue painted interior. Remnants of a makers label on the underside F...

Antique Hindu brass decorative box. This is an antique Mughal style brass Indian ornate locking trinket box container. It has six compartments that lock ...

Finely detailed champlevé scarab shape box with gilt wash interior. Traces of antique mirror on inner top. Rich colors of blue, turquoise purple finely enameled all around box.

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...

A beautiful quality double sided 19th century French gilt metal, champlevé enamel and banded agate snuff box, bonbonnière, or possibly a pill box, made c. 1880. The trinket box or t...

This slender metal container is a 19th-century white brass incense burner, used for storing and burning incense sticks. The small box has a rectangular form and a removable sliding t...

Micromosaic Grand Tour Jewel Casket from the late 19th Century. Elaborate inlaid floral tessarae of daisies cover the lid of the jewel-trinket box with glass panels on each side. All...

A very early Victorian sterling silver gilt viniagrette by Francis Clarke, Birmingham, 1841. This very nice vinaigrette is in fine condition with an engine turned top, engraved with ...

Public mailbox of the French Post Office Model in molded cast iron manufactured by Delachanal in Paris - Late 19th Century Good general condition - presented in its original conditi...

Exceptional quality antique Victorian oak marquetry strung tantalus, having a quality oak tantalus with marquetry strung inlay detail, having two hinged bevel glazed lids enclosing a...