Art Dealers Association of America Decorative Boxes

This is a rare tin that was used to sell and promote marshmallows. The top of the tin is decorated to reflect the Boy Scouts in their ubiquitous camping tradition of sitting around t...

A very unusual and unique item, this Victorian Celluloid collar box is seldom found or even identified as such. The beige colored collar box is hig...

Small chest with lift lid. Inlay on lid and front. Bold French feet. New England.

This compact unique "Gentleman's Shaving Necessaire Kit" was used by a man while traveling, for the purpose of tending to his shaving needs; especially as more and more men were doing away with their beards as they became somewhat less stylish at the turn of the century. It might also have been provided to a male guest in an Inn or rooming house while traveling. The three interior implements consisted of a porcelain shaving cup (moustache cup), a shaving brush to apply the shaving cream, and a fold out straight edge razor. The outer case is a cream colored celluloid with a floral design to the sides and top, and two child winged nymphs in molded relief decorating the majority of the surface. The original brass clasp and escutcheon decorate the front, and facilitate closing the case. The interior maintains it's original blue satin. The three shaving items are original to the case; the shaving cup is divided into two sections---one for the shaving cream and one for the water to rinse the brush. It was also referred to as a moustache cup and when clean and empty, it could be used as a drinking cup. The moustache would fall into the deep section while tilting the beverage inward keeping the moustache dry. Of note, while beards became somewhat less fashionable, moustaches were still very much in vogue. The brush was made by "Ever-Ready" (a popular shaving brush maker), and the bristles are made of pure "badger" from the underside of his belly. Badgers are native to central North America. On the brush is printed "Ever-Ready" "Set in Rubber" "139S". On the other side is printed "Sterilized" "Pure Badger" "S" (see images). The handle of the straight edge razor is cream and rust colored with a celluloid floral molded relief design. The carbon steel blade has printed "The Celebrated" and "Hollowground Razor". It has a slight chip to the very end. Very interesting to note the underside inscription. I can't quite make it out entirely, but it seems to say "Jahn From" (the maker or the owner?). "Dec. 27 '02" perhaps date of manufacture. "Mary" (maybe a gift from Mary? (see image). Judging by the interior implements, the design, and of course, the inscription underneath, the shaving kit...

Unique necessaire; used for carrying a lady's toilet articles and "necessary" items for grooming, including a drawer at the base for additional items such as jewelry and/or letter writing implements. The hardwood case is wrapped in a celluloid green floral design, with Victorian scenes to the front panels, and a pastoral farm image to the top. The front two panels depict a young couple in different poses. Original fancy brass mounts and escutcheons complete the exterior decoration. The interior is lined in pink satin material, with fitted compartments to hold and store a multiplicity of grooming items, with a mirror in the backdrop. There are eight grooming items, which includes two cream jars, a nail buffing pad, a needle, a spring loaded hair clasp...

A charming walnut Chippendale spice box from Chester county. Double arched raised panel door with nice drawer arrangement inside, terminating in Ogee feet.

A rare cherry William and Mary spice box of diminutive size a raised panel door with brass escutcheon, a four drawer interior with teardrop brasses all terminating on its original ba...

Very rare miniature brass casket. Wonderfully engraved with birds a goat, rabbit and snail with floral designs. His boxes are typically engraved with figu...

This Walnut Queen Anne Bible box has a thumb molded edge, engraved escutcheon and turned feet.

Bone inlaid on wood diamond shaped box, circa 1950. Probably American. Measures: 9 1/8" long x 5 3/4" wide (tip to tip). Stands 2 1/4" high.

Intricately carved with elaborate open fretwork and hobnail design, this wooden box is dated "1915" with a carved inscription of "Stephanie Stevens" (obviously the owner). The box is...