19th Century Decorative Boxes

An exceptional large wooden case from the Victorian era, circa 1880s. Made from pine with raised and burled panels. Features a marquetry inlay top showcasing a bird within a flowerin...

Antique Anglo-Indian Vizagapatam Bone Inlaid Jewelry Box, India, Late 19th Century Exceptional late 19th-century Anglo-Indian footed domed jewelry box from Vizagapatam, India, maste...

A large and very fine 19th century enameled glass casket or glove box. Typical of the enamel treatments by Ludwig Moser and reminiscent of Baccarat's Japonisme works. Likely Bohemian, the blue glass...

An extremely rare pair of Regency cast-iron sarcophagus shaped strong boxes. Regency, circa 1820 Painted to simulate palisander wood and with parcel-gilt, the cavetto-moulded hinged lids cast with flower sprays above foliate-cast bands over front panels relieved with river gods within canted corners cast with standing muses, the sides with lion mask and ring handles over leafy aprons on massive lion’s paw feet; the Brahmah type lock stamped “T. Davis from London” and impressed with the Royal Crown. These extraordinary pieces are modelled on Regency wine coolers. The forms are classic Greco-Roman revival with the boat-hook handles, mythic figures and the overall sarcophagus pattern. You would struggle to find one let alone a pair. Good items for any collection. Research on going into these strong boxes but we have found possible information on the lock stamped Davis….(historyoflocks ) The relationship of King George III and George Davis of Windsor, who was locksmith in ordinary to His Majesty. Davis, in 1799, invented and patented a unique style of lock, which was also beautifully engraved with a warning not to make duplicate keys. Sensitive government secrets always demanded, then as today, locks that were state of the art. Davis locks ended up on government dispatch boxes...

Beautifully decorated mid-late 19th c, England, black lacquered papier-mâché sewing stand. Decorated with gilt, mother-of-pearl and polychrome paint, opening to cloth-lined interior....

Antique English Regency cellarette / cassone casket / coffer / coffret , trunk or marriage chest. Made of carved mahogany featuring blind fretwork ...

Hand painted papier mâché box with original perfume bottles.

An Indian brass pandan box, 19th century. 9 inches wide by 7 inches tall

A 19th century small Indian dowry box on wheels with fitted compartments. The door at the top that slides to the side. The fitted interior has a small...

Large size English Regency mahogany travelling sloped lap desk/ box with original brass corner mounts, hinges, pin, top mount and retractable handles. Features include a side drawer,...

Exceptionally detailed 19th century carved bone gunpowder flask Italian, 19th Century Height 36cm, diameter 11cm This unconventional gunpowder flask, created in Italy in the 19th ce...

A rare and almost certainly unique 19th century castle decanter. Possibly Scottish. Circa 1870. The outer is made from plaster of Paris, with detailed texture, having wooden hand-painted lancet arched windows and front door, and featuring a central clock face and medieval crenulations. The exterior is in remarkably good condition, left untouched. The interior boasts leather dividers enclosing four square decanters with cut glass stoppers. The inner edging is veneered in Coromandel wood, with the rest of the interior covered in blue velvet. Opening the castle reveals a family crest plaque...

An elegant small folding card case likely English, finely constructed in richly patinated tortoiseshell panels and decorated to the exterior with an inlaid floral spray composed of ...

Victorian Period, sterling silver, heart-form trinkets box having a hinged lid and gilded interior, Birmingham, England, year-hallmarked for 1895, James Aitchison - maker (by Appoint...

A wonderful Victorian biscuit box or barrel, always highly sought-after in this Drum form, I have probably not had one for three or four years, that's how scarce and hard to come by they are. The fittings are made from silver plate with the lid topped with a finial in the form of a pair or drum sticks...

This 19th-century French Louis XV-style walnut farinerio flour box exemplifies the perfect union of form and function. Crafted from warm-toned walnut, the box features intricately ca...

19th century most rare and unusual original painted miniature bible box with original painted surface and gilding. This early gem has original iron hi...

Very fine rosewood gentleman's toiletry box, English, ca. 1880

Swedish 'Timplåda' Wooden Box, dated 1824 A 'timplåda' is a traditional Swedish wooden box, handcrafted with care. Popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, these boxes were used ...

Refitted Georgian satinwood four footed sewing wood box with working lock and key, circa 1825.

An Anglo-Indian table top stationery cabinet, or secretary, in pale padouk wood with string inlay and bone decoration to front and sides, and two doors over two drawers with bone kno...

from Tohoku area, Japan. Japanese antique small box tansu chest of drawers, Kohikidashi, made of Sugi Cedar. Product of circa 1850s-1870s (late Edo to early Meiji era), estimate from...

This is an antique display dome. An English, glass and walnut taxidermy or collectibles showcase, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Del...

Rare Chinese opium smoker's kit, including a lacquered boiled cardboard pillow-box and a pipe showing signs of intensive use. The pipe fits perfectly inside the box. The curved shape...

Heavily Inlaid with Mother of Pearl and Abalone From our Writing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this stunning Antique Inlaid Writing Box by Hausburg. The Writing Box of rec...

Openwork wooden box, worked with a decoration of flowers and animals; the lid is enhanced with a bone net; iron fasteners Work in the style of the workshops of Abramtsevo and Elen...

Regency brass veneered letter box The brass veneered letter with delicate filigree accents throughout. The canted lid opening to reveal a mirrored underside and leather writing su...

Extraordinary crystal can in ruby red glass with gold-plated brass fitting around 1840 from France The 2 front corners have a small chip which is not striking

Small Majolica Lidded Tureen Mixed Earths , circa 1890.

19th century victorian burr walnut desk top writing slope circa 1870. Fine quality english made victorian writing slope.  Exterior of rich burr walnut with tunbridge ware inlay deco...

Fitted Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box Interior From our Tunbridge Ware collection, we are delighted to offer this Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box. The Rosewood box of rectangular form extensiv...

A superb late Victorian playing card box made from English sterling silver fully hallmarked for Birmingham 1899; the makers mark is also present for the well renowned English silversmith, Levi, and Salaman. The box retains the two heavy beveled glass panels to the top with one card below depicting Elizabeth...

This incredibly rare two-tier Swiss Black Forest jewelry box is fully hand-carved from a single block of wood, making it a true masterpiece. What sets this box apart is its unique de...

A beautiful English Victorian biscuit box from the late 1800's

This is an antique patinated bronze sculpture of a stylized form peacock. Used as a betel box or tobacco opium box. Produced using the traditional 'lost wax'...

This is an antique workman's tool chest. An English, teak and brass capped craftsman's trunk, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Delightfully time-worn chest with a ro...

A mid-19th century lady’s travelling dressing case. The case is constructed in a finely marked coromandel, with inset brass handles and brass guard bands to the angles. The hinged lid rises to reveal in the upper section, a drop down document holder, with a mirror to the back, the parcel gilt pieces are engraved with a Viscountess’s coronet, probably Charles, 2nd Viscount Hardinge Cornwallis (1822-1894) and inset with turquoises and comprise a suite of four cut-glass jars, a liqueur flask with a fitted cup, the pull-out rear shelf houses seven jars for ink, potions and unguents. The lift out platform has sectional jewellery compartments, over, a pair of hexagonal based silver hall marked candlesticks, a thermometer, button hook, folding ruler...

Marvelous Napoleon III 19th century antique Jewelry box in Burl wood from France. Impressive wood grain with slight curved edge on t...

Lacquered paintbrush box, made in the chinese style. In 19th-century Europe, oriental objects were highly prized and liked to be reproduced. In this painting features two birds and v...

Antique 19th Century Italian grand tour solid silver and gilt silver mounted micro mosaic box. Made in rectangular form with angled cut corners. The micro mosaic depicts Pliny's Dove...

Dutch Silver knitting needle case by Meinardus Wilhelmus Warren, 1836-1864 A Dutch Silver knitting needle case with turned rib pattern and decora...

A refined French Empire style gilt brass and cut crystal casket, dating from the 19th century. This elegant decorative box beautifully reflects the neoclassical vocabulary inspired b...

Elegant vintage Limoges 22-karat gold trinket piano box. French vintage Limoges porcelain in cobalt royal blue with fine gold decor. Marked on base as “L...

Well aged, beautiful light yellow shaker pantry box, with original paint.

About as exotic and decorative as they get, this magnificent playing card / games box has a deep red / Burgundy background which is smothered in the most exquisite fine penwork with ...

This is a small antique sharing box. A Japanese, lacquered Meiji era case, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1890. Attractive Meiji period (1867 - 1912) box with a striking...

Swedish Wood Book-Hide ca 1850 With beautiful intricate carvings. Made out birch wood. Heigth: 5.5 cm/2.1 inch Depth: 9.5 cm/3.7 inch Width: 17 cm/6.6 inch

A very elegant large French Kingwood Ormolu mounted casket of very generous proportions and of outstanding Museum quality, firmly attributed to Alphonse Tahan Paris (1830-1880), offi...

Gorham Aesthetic Movement Sterling Mixed-Metal Box with Lizard and Mice, 1883 Dimensions: 3.5" W × 2.5" D × 1.5" H Materials: Copper with applied silver decoration Marks: Gorham, date letter “P” for 1883 A finely crafted American Aesthetic Movement mixed-metal box by Gorham, executed in copper with sculptural silver appliqué. The domed lid features a dynamic lizard in high relief, accompanied by two playful mice in motion, all arranged above a silvered ground with grasses and textured earth. The decoration is set asymmetrically against the warm copper body, leaving generous areas of polished surface that highlight the contrast between metals. The interior is left plain, showing use consistent with age. The imagery reflects the strong influence of Japanese Meiji-era design on Gorham in the late 19th century. Themes of small animals and naturalistic vignettes were drawn directly from Japanese art, where lizards were regarded as symbols of protection and renewal, and mice were associated with quickness, fertility, and in some contexts, good fortune. Together, they create a whimsical narrative of pursuit, rendered with wit and naturalistic detail. This work exemplifies the Aesthetic Movement credo of “Art for Art’s Sake,” emphasizing beauty, asymmetry, and nature study over traditional allegory. Gorham’s mixed-metal line, developed in the wake of the 1876 Centennial Exposition, sought to rival Tiffany & Co. in innovation and design, producing decorative objects that were both functional and avant-garde. Comparable Gorham copper...

This is a remarkable 19th century, Japanese lacquered sewing box with multiple compartments on the interior. The exterior is decorated in elaborate black and gilded motifs including...

A Superb Example of an English Georgian style well figured Burr Walnut and Marquetry Jewellery Casket of rectangular form, featuring seldom seen intricate Tunbridge Ware Marquetry i...

Capture the refined elegance of the English Regency period with this stunning antique marquetry box. Masterfully crafted in the 19th century, its rich, dark wood body is adorned with...

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Boulle stationery box by Leuchars & Sons, dating to the late nineteenth century during the Victorian period, circa 1880. The box is of rectangular form with...

Original Scandinavian antique chest box from 1846, most likely from Sweden where we found it. The chest box is made from pine wood and is ...

A stunning gilt bronze and seed pearl singing bird box by Bontems of Paris - CIRCA 1890. The bird rises from beneath the enamal oval lid and is sure to delight!

Antique French liquer cellar, cabinet “Cave a liqueur” An antique French book-shaped lidded liquer cellar cabinet, also called “Cave a liqueur”. A liqueur cellar hidden in 18th cent...

A charming and particularly good quality mid-19th century, Victorian Period, rosewood perfume scent box, with attractive brass bound decoration and hinged li...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique 1800s 18k yellow gold vinaigrette; an addition to our collection of gold boxes and cases. This exceptional, fine and impressive antique 1...

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...

This cave a liqueur set is truly special because the box is exquisitely Carved and has the original beveled glass. The decanters and stem Ware are by St. Louis and the original la...