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Style: Anglo-Indian
Antique Porcupine Quill Box. Sri Lanka, 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely quill box
Ebony and porcupine quill
Good condition
Free UK shipping.
PLEASE NOTE only available in the UK at the moment. I am seeking advice on Cites exemption for export....
Category
1880s Sri Lankan Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Anglo-Indian Fluted Writing Box With Secret Drawers. Early 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful writing box made from a tropical hardwood
Fabulous shape and plain fluted carving. It gives it a modernist appearance
Probably Sri Lankan
3 secret drawers*
Replaced lea...
Category
Early 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Box
Located in London, GB
A small Sinhalese Porcupine Quill Box with a sliding lid.
The panels of porcupine quill panels arranged in a chevron pattern, bordered with ebony and bone inlaid banding.
Ceylonese ...
Category
Late 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ebony
19th Century Anglo-Indian Sadeli Inlaid Work Box Traveling Writing Desk
Located in Stamford, CT
An Anglo Indian bone, ebony and metal inlaid sadeli work box with portable writing desk, Bombay, circa 1850.
The sandalwood body of faceted recta...
Category
Mid-19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Exquisite Mother of Pearl Inlaid Lacquer Elephant Motif Tissue Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exquisite mother of pearl inlaid lacquer elephant motif tissue box,
Intricately inlaid all over with numerous elephants in landscape. Fitted with a si...
Category
20th Century Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
$556 Sale Price
20% Off
Inlaid Table Cabinet
Located in Bradenton, FL
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...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
$1,885
Fine Indo-Persian Micro Mosaic Marquetry Box with Miniature Painting 1940s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Fine Micro Mosaic Indo Persian Moorish Inlaid Trinket Jewelry Box with Miniature Polo Scene, circa 1940s
Exceptional handcrafted Indo-Persian jewelry or pen box featuring intricate Sadeli micro mosaic marquetry with inlaid geometric designs and a stunning miniature hand-painted scene on the lid. The artwork depicts 19th-century royal princes in traditional Maharaja attire playing polo, reflecting Mughal and Islamic courtly elegance.
Crafted using the traditional Khatam technique, the box is richly inlaid inside and out with fine slivers of wood, bone, and metal, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship from the Middle East or India, circa 1940s.
* Dimensions: H 1.75 in. x W 6.5 in. x D 4 in.
* Condition: great condition; minor wear consistent with age.
A museum-quality piece comparable to those in the Doris Duke Islamic Art Collection. Perfect for collectors of Islamic art, Moorish marquetry, and antique micro mosaic.
Keywords:
Islamic Marquetry, Sadeli Mosaic, Khatam Box...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Fruitwood
Petite Antique Anglo Indian Bone and Tortoise Box
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming petite antique Anglo Indian lidded box handcrafted in indigenous hardwoods clad in tortoise shell and decorated with elaborate lacy bone designs, featuring an etched and pai...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Tortoise Shell
Asian Silver Metal Hand Carved Peacock Sitar Veena Form Box 1950
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Asian Silver Metal Hand-Carved Sitar Veena Box.
Elevate your decor with this stunning vintage box, featuring intricate hand-carved designs of a sitar and peacock. The ornate ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal, Silver
1920s Anglo-Raj Hand-Painted Rajasthani Dowry Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1920s Anglo-Raj Hand-Painted Rajasthani Dowry Box
A striking early 20th-century Anglo-Raj decorative wooden box, hand-painted and richly detailed with romantic and courtly scenes. Or...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Vintage Moorish Sajai Box with Semi-Precious Stones
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Mid Century Moorish Sajai Box Inlaid with Agate Semi precious Stones box with semi-precious stones.
Made in India, circa 1950.
The box measures 1 inches high x 3 inches in di...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Metal
Ivory and Blue Chevron Bone Inlay Trinket Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Ivory and blue chevron decorative trinket rectangular lidded box inlaid with white bone and resin on wood.
Large stylish Moorish trinket lidded box with bone and wood inlaid handcraf...
Category
20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone
Antique Anglo Indian Box Form Quill Lap Top or Travel Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive antique Anglo Indian lap top desk crafted in quills and ebony decorated with bone dots. The surprising interior has multiple components featuring a felt writing surface, n...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Felt, Wood, Ebony
Anglo-Indian Mother of Pearl Inlaid Jewelry Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Anglo-Indian Mother of Pearl Inlaid jewelry Box.
1940s Victorian Anglo Indian box in silver, bone and mother of pearl Inlaid.
An elegant Anglo Indian bon...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Anglo Indian Micro Mosaic Inlay Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
Exquisitely crafted early 20th century Anglo Indian micro mosaic Sadeli box with gorgeous antique Persian geometric pattern.
The finely detailed box featu...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Fruitwood
Antique Anglo-Indian Vizagapatam Jewelry Inlaid Sadeli Footed Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique 19th century Anglo-Indian jewelry, trinket footed box, inlay with ebony, mosaic marquetry Sadeli work and a carved Hindu scene on top.
The box case is made from sandalwood wi...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Pietra Dura Marble Inlay Round Trinket Box With Floral Motif, Made in India
Located in Fort Washington, MD
A beautifully handcrafted pietra dura round marble trinket box, showcasing the centuries-old decorative art form perfected in both Mughal India and Renaissance Florence. The lid feat...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble
Pair of Ebony and Coconut Tea Caddies
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique Anglo Indian pair of tea caddies with silvered metal tops having elephant handles over coconut bowls above carved ebony elephants with bone tusk...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Coconut
$11,900 / set
Cast Brass Engraved Brazier Box with Pierced Charcoal Tray, North India
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Cast Brass Engraved Brazier Box with Pierced Charcoal Tray, North India, Late 19th Century
Dimensions:
Consisting of Two Pieces: the Box and the Removable Tray
Box: 10.5” W to handl...
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Anglo Indian Rectangular Porcupine Quill
Bone Box
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Anglo Indian rectangular porcupine quill, bone and parquetry box. The box with a hinged lid that opens to reveal embossed red velvet lining and a decorated wood panel...
Category
20th Century Sri Lankan Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Other
Veneered Footed Sandalwood Glove Box with Penwork Decoration, Vizagapatam, India
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Anglo-Indian penwork decorated veneered sandalwood glove box on turned ball feet the sides and top decorated with scrolling leaf borders and the top with a central leaf-framed cartou...
Category
Mid-19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Asian Handcrafted Oval Betel Box in Metal Silvered
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Asian decorative trinket lidded box in metal silvered hammered and etched with organic floral design.
Anglo Raj style oval form betel box.
Dimensio...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
19C Anglo Ceylonese Sewing Box of Museum Quality
Located in Dallas, TX
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century Sri Lankan Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Vintage Hindu Indian Punjab Inlaid Marquetry Rosewood
Bone Jewelry Box
Located in Portland, OR
A very attractive vintage inlaid rosewood Indian jewelry box.
The hinged box made is from solid figured rosewood and finely and is sumptuously inla...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Ebony, Rosewood
Fred Zimbalist Thorens Silver Plated Music Box
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Fred Zimbalist Thorens silver music box shaped as an old phonograph with trumpet horn. All the silver panels that make the box and the hor...
Category
20th Century American Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
$2,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Anglo-Indian Silver Box with Hand Chased and Repousse Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This silver trinket or jewelry box dates to the late 19th century and is presumed have been made in India. The silver tests to between .850 and 900 and as such, is slightly below .92...
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
English 19th Century Leather Trunk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
We absolutely love this decorative trunk from England, wrapped in perfectly patinated Cordovan red leather adorned with brass studs in swirling patterns inspired by India. The lock is in working condition and includes one key. A pair of simple handles on each side make it easy to carry even when filled. The interior is lined with a (faded) red fabric that is fixed with leather cording to support the lid. Both decorative and functional, this unique petite trunk...
Category
19th Century English Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal, Brass
Anglo Indian Brass and Hardwood Chest
Located in San Mateo, CA
Anglo Indian hardwood campaign or dowry chest. This has brass straps, handles and large hinges on the interior. The lock has the original key. The chest is in good condition. It show...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
19th Century Anglo-Indian Mughal Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
19th century Anglo-Indian Mughal wood box, inlaid and hand carved with the Taj Mahal and some flowers all around.
Jewelry box, Anglo-Raj box from India in great condition.
Nice Mughal Bombay Box...
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sandalwood
Anglo Raj Hand-Carved Decorative Jewelry Box
By Rajhastani
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hand-carved Anglo Raj early 20th century carved wood box richly decorated overall with arabesques and floral carving.
Hinged lid shallow relief carving with interior lined with red r...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sandalwood
19C Anglo Indian Vizagapatam Bone and Shell Domed Stationery Box
Located in Dallas, TX
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...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Shell, Sandalwood
Indian Koftgari Box, Nineteenth Century
Located in Toronto, CA
An exquisite Indian Koftgari work box, or jewelry box, circa 1900, in oval shape. Featuring very fine, gold thread decoration with three silvered bun feet and a silvered base. The li...
Category
Early 19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver, Iron
Carved ebony Box, Anglo-indian Box From Vizagapatam
Located in Bilzen, BE
An extraordinary Anglo-Indian box from Vizagapatam in fully carved solid ebony, late 19th century.
Filigree ornate and sculpted floral decoration...
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ebony
Antique Anglo Indian Bronze Jewelry Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Anglo Indian Hindu treasure jewelry metal bronze box.
19th century Anglo Indian antique metal box handcrafted with hinged lid with a swing ...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
19C Anglo Indian Vizigapatam Stamp Box
Located in Dallas, TX
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Shell
Antique Anglo Indian Bone and Tortoise Box
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive antique Anglo Indian box crafted in mahogany, clad in tortoise shell, and ambitiously decorated with bone. The inside has a mirror and red felt lining.
Category
19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Tortoise Shell
A Fine Anglo Indian Coromandel Workbox
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A fine early 19th century coromandel work box with moulded front design and fitted interior containing a super collection of sea shells.
Ivory registration number 8NEDUS4R.
Category
Early 19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ivory, Wood
Anglo Indian Tortoise and Bone Box
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive Anglo Indian box crafted in mahogany and clad in tortoise shell decorated with bone straps, carved and painted floral panels, and paw feet. The inside has a mirror and bon...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Tortoise Shell
Hand-Carved Stone Jewelry Box Rajasthan, India
By Agra
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Anglo Raj carved soap stone footed jewelry box..
Handcrafted decorative box with foliage design with soap stone natural jade like colors.
Lined with red velvet.
Very nice fine art...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Soapstone
Anglo Raj Hand-Carved Wooden Decorative Jewelry Box
By Rajhastani
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hand-carved large wooden Anglo-Raj jewelry box.
Early 20th century wood box richly decorated overall with arabesques and floral carving.
Hinged lid shallow relief carving with interi...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sandalwood
Fred Zimbalist Taj Mahal Music Box Swiss Thorens Movement Circa 1930 Number 29
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage circa 1930s Fred Zimbalist Taj Mahal Music Box Swiss Thorens Movement Numbered Handmade Figural Brass Box.
A rare and highly sought-after vintage Fred Zimbalist Taj Mahal music box, featuring a Swiss Thorens movement and beautifully handcrafted in India. This iconic figural music box is prized by collectors for its exceptional artistry, substantial weight, and striking architectural form inspired by the Taj Mahal.
Crafted between the 1920s and 1950s, each Zimbalist music box was individually handmade, ensuring that no two pieces are alike. This example is numbered (#29) and showcases all the hallmarks of Zimbalist’s finest work: chased and engraved metal, brass and bronze casting, and a lustrous nickel-silver plated finish. A superb piece for enthusiasts of vintage music boxes...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Anglo Raj Hand Painted Jewellery Wood Box 1920s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1920s Hand Painted East Indian Decorative Box.
An antique Rajasthani Indian hand painted wood box, early 20th century.
The box is handcrafted of wood and feature a hinged lid that can be opened and closed to access the contents inside.
Hand painted colorful Indian box with lid depicting human figures and flowers.
Style: Anglo Raj, Paint, Wood, Hand-Crafted
Place of Origin: India.
Anglo Raj Vintage Wooden Box Hand Painted Indian Chest Trinket 1920s.
Large Trinket Box Folk Art Hand Painted Colorful Asian Jewellery Chest...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
1 OF 4 VINTAGE ANGLO INDIAN HARDWOOD
BRASS 1920
s TISSUE BOX HOLDERS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale 1 of 4 vintage Anglo Indian Export Rosewood and Brass tissue box holders
A good looking well made and decor...
Category
1920s Asian Vintage Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
$211 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Anglo Indian Colonial Brass Inlaid Teak Jewelry Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A Beautiful Anglo Indian, Colonial, brass inlaid teak jewelry lidded box made for the English market.
handcrafted with floral and hearts brass inlays on top are surrounded by brass inlaid border, intricate brass inlays design of florals and scrolls carries through to all four sides so will display nicely on a shelf, desk or coffee table.
Displays a desirable aged patina and the teak wood shows fine grain interest and deep caramel hues.
A large Anglo-Indian teak colonial Campaign casket with brass inlay, the hinged cover opens to reveal an original fitted interior with two compartments interior lined with red velvet.
This is a distinctive and highly appealing vintage semi antique Anglo Indian jewelry...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Handcrafted Tinned Copper Metal Betel or Spices Caddy Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful handcrafted tinned copper decorative octagonal betel box with lid and brass latch.
The metal is delicately and intricately hand-hammered and repousse with floral and geometric designs.
This Vintage brass box...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Large Brass Pandan Box, North India, 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A large brass pandan box
North India, 19th century
The body with rounded profile and hinged raised lid
with engraved and punched decoration
centering ...
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Carved Mahogany Cat with Secret Compartment
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Anglo Indian carved mahogany cat with ebonized stripes and a curious expression, featuring a secret compartment on the bottom.
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mahogany
Anglo Indian Faux Tortoise Trinket Box
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Inspired vintage Anglo Indian hinged box crafted in mahogany and clad in a faux tortoise laminate.
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mahogany
19th C. Indian Fitted Teak Workbox with Brass Tack and Applique Work
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Indian teak work or stationary box with brass tack and applique decoration on the top and sides and fitted with brass lift-handles. the interior fitted with lift out trays and open c...
Category
Mid-19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Anglo-Indian Vizagapatam Bombay Mughal Style Footed Box With Bone Overlay
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Nice and unusual Indian Mughal style large decorative box, filigree and carved horn.
Anglo-Indian footed domed box with exceptional engraved details throughout with filigree and carved veneered bone plaques with arabesque carving.
Vizagapatam, late 19th century.
History of the Anglo-Indian Boxes
Beginning in the early part of the 18th century, Indian artisans made what came to be known as Anglo-Indian boxes for the English residents living in India, who eventually brought or sent them back to England. At the beginning of the 19th century, India began exporting these boxes commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the 1850s. People valued them so highly that manufacturers of tins copied the designs on them in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Anglo-Indian boxes fall into four groups: Rosewood or ebony boxes inlaid;
sandalwood boxes veneered; sandalwood boxes covered with Sadeli mosaic; and carved boxes often combined with Sadeli mosaic/
The first two categories came from Vizagapatam in East India while the last two came from Bombay in West India.
English traders discovered the rich woods and intricate workmanship of Indian artisans, so colonial government officials began to recognize the work of the Indian artists and craftsmen as a source for satisfying the need for furniture and boxes, which would both serve to enhance English households in India. This gave rise to the cabinetmaking workshops in Vizagapatam between Calcutta and Madras.
Craftsmen made the first boxes to be decorated with Sadeli mosaic of rosewood or ebony, incised to give further definition to the decoration, directly inlaid into the wood. The shape of the early boxes was either sloping at the front with a flatter section at the back, reminiscent of English writing slopes, or rectangular. Artisans inlaid the borders with stylized floral scrolls and the centers with a single floral motif following a circular or oval symmetrical or asymmetrical pattern. The edging was ornamental and protective, both helped protect the end grain against the weather.
Made in Vizagapatam, situated on the south east coast of India, near Madras
These exotic boxes...
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Anglo Raj Hand Carved Wooden Decorative Jewelry Box
By Rajhastani
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hand carved large wooden Anglo-Raj jewelry box.
Early 20th century wood box richly decorated overall with arabesques and floral carving.
Hinged lid shallow relief carving with inte...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sandalwood
Large Anglo Indian Elephant Box
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Folky silvered metal elephant handcrafted with a charming whimsical
form hammered and etched designs that unexpectedly opens as a trinket
box.
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
19thC Campaign Style Rosewood with Brass Inlay Stationary Letter Box
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and large rosewood and teak fitted letter writing box with brass inlay. Numerous cubbies with lids for various items. Slotted back panel fo...
Category
1850s Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
$1,276 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Anglo Indian Box Handcrafted with Porcupine Quills
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Anglo-Indian quill box handcrafted and decorated with porcupine quills and bone dots.
Made in Ceylon which was the colonial name for Sri Lanka.
Porcupine quillwork objects of...
Category
Early 20th Century Sri Lankan Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
ORIGINAL ANTiQUE ANGLO INDIAN EXPORT SADELI MICRO MOSAIC BUSINESS CARD CASE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely, super decorative antique Islamic Anglo Indian Sadeli Micro Mosaic Card Case
A wonderfully orig...
Category
20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Anglo-Raj Marble Inlay Box Pietra Dura Censor
By Rajhastani
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Anglo Raj inlaid marble pietra dura decorative box with lid.
Handmade marble decorative lidded box inlaid with semi precious stones, jasper and carnelian for orange.
It is the same craft that you see in the Taj Mahal.
Very nice fine pietra dura art...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble
Early 19th Century Anglo-Indian Brass Fish Box with Etched Decoration
Located in Middleburg, VA
A beautifully evocative early 19th-century Anglo-Indian brass box, crafted in India around 1820 for the English export market. Formed in the shape of ...
Category
Early 19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Metal
Elegant vintage hand carved stone trinket box
Located in Allentown, PA
This is an elegant hand carved stone trinket box. This box has intricate carvings of bamboo around the entire service of the stone box. The outer layer of the carving is the natural ...
Category
1970s Indian Vintage Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stone
Green Indian Lacquered Box Decorative Box, 20th century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Nice Indian box in green lacquered wood dating from the end of the 20th century. It is decorated with delicate gold, black and green pattern.
Category
20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
$332 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Vizagapatam India Table Box Ebonized Wood
Bone Carvings
Located in Forney, TX
Vizagapatam box, India, 19th century.
This highly decorative and unusual Anglo-Indian table box features rustic workmanship that adds to the character and charm of this unique Sout...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Wood
Anglo-indian decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Anglo-Indian decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Anglo-Indian decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Asia, South Asia, and India pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative boxes, popular names associated with this style include Rajhastani, Agra, Anthony Redmile London, and Apollo Woodwoking and Metal Corp. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $11,900 while the average work can sell for $1,200.