19th Century Boxes

An exceptionally fine well figured Satinwood Marquetry Ladies or Gentlemans Jewellery Casket of outstanding quality and condition, last quarter of th...

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

19th century American folk art box with decorated with inlaid hearts, diamonds, triangles and shields. Possibly sailor made, this sweet little box was likely a valentine or keepsake ...

This is a fine antique Georgian period lidded waste bin, presenting as a distinguished Dutch fireside store in oak and fruitwood, circa 1800. This versatile antique is ideal for use ...

Early 19th Century Karl Johan Box with Inlay Ribbon Decorations in Fruitwood, Sweden. Key not included

19th Century Anglo Indian fall front box with six drawers with metal pulls. The exterior and interior inlaid throughout with bone and various woods. Intricate geometric designs cover...

Set of three, English, 19th century tole canisters with painted and gilt finish, original patina. 18" height, 10.5" width of base.  

Victorian Brass Oversized Pocket Watch-Form Box, England, Circa 1880 A striking and finely crafted Victorian novelty box in the form of an oversized gentleman’s pocket watch, made i...

Rare and impressive, this 19th-century hand-carved Swiss Black Forest cigar box is crafted from rich walnut, offering a stunning patina that has developed over nearly 150 years. The ...

Rosewood tea caddy with a molded lid and bun feet. The interior includes two lidded compartments and a central section fitted with a cut glass tumbler, likely used for mixing. Red em...

Victorian Sterling Silver Mounted Mother-of-Pearl Tea Caddy, struck with maker's mark for Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders and James Francis Hollings, London, 1895, with silver "Tea" la...

Large box from Vietnam. Manufactured at the end of the 19th century. Red in color slightly pinkish, with magnificent fish decorations in white and yellow colors. This box locks, the ...

A 19th century snuff box with intarsia A horn snuff box with a diamond-shaped embedded smaller diamond-shaped surfaces on the box in relief. The box has been a utensil and is in goo...

Early 19th century stationery box, which has been converted from a knife box. It is a classic serpentine shape in the front, with the edges inlaid in boxwood. There is a central ...

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...

Russian silver and lacquer boxes, signed / stamped, 19th century. Measures: H. 4 – 6, W 9 cm. H. 1.5 - 2.3, W 3.5 in.

Signed by maker on lock. Paris, France. Bronze/brass mounted.

Combat of March 30, 1814. On the heights of Saint Chaumont where an Artillery post served by students of the École Polytechnique fought fiercely and was saved from death by General S...

This is an antique country house parlour game case. An English, oak organiser box, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Fascinating proportion to this pleasingly craft...

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 ...

1850s French bronze portrait box. Portrait on paper, signed Leroy

This Item is a box in metal, with an silver color. It has been done In England during the 19th Century.

An exceptional antique Chinese gold and black lacquer games box raised on four paw feet with a domed lift off cover decorated with figural landscape panels in gilded lacquer colours on a black ground. The cover lifts off to reveal five lidded removable counter boxes...

Papier-mâché Snuffbox, painted with a portrait of a smoking man A snuff box painted with a portrait of a smoking man with a glass of wine on the background, possibly after a paint...

This is an exquisite antique George IV Gonçalo Alves and amboyna marquetry inlaid tea caddy, circa 1825 in date. It is beautifully decorated with superb marquetry decoration to the ...

An unusual and visually striking carved wooden presentation box, Black Forest region, circa 1880. The box is carved in the form of a stacked book bundle tied with strapwork, its surf...

Beautiful Rustic Cottagecore theme rooster, robins and wildflowers papier mache and wood moire lined large English dresser box 19th Century The shaped papier mache top depicts an arr...

Swedish antique pine and birch wooden backpack storage box. It was use to pickup the berries in the woods. Fine quality of birch bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 centur...

Beautiful, unadorned Biedermeier casket box in amazing walnut veneer from Austria, circa 1840. Very nicely grained walnut veneer on solid maple wood. In the lid is a mirror glass inl...

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...

Fine antique Regency inlaid brass rosewood tea caddy having a spectacular inlaid brass top and carved moulded rosewood edge, lift up lid opening to reveal a fitted interior with the ...

Mid-19th century Japanese Meiji period bronze stamp box. Applied castings of a hanging flower basket with bird, recumbent stag and flowers. Measures: 1 1/...

Fantastic and rare example of Black Forest folk art, a tour de force of carving by a master woodworker. This lift top box in the form of a thatched cottage has many wonderful details...

Large late Biedermeier box in walnut, hand-made in Austria around 1850. * Veneered in walnut and walnut burl on thick (2.2 cm / 0.87 in) stained beechwood inside. * Interior lined wi...

19th Century Gothic Style Bronze Reliquary Box With Repousse Figures 8.5" x 4.75 x 3.5"H

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...

Kitchen box, Pot in Majolica. Vegetal Decor pattern. Green color. It has been made in France circa 19th century.

Outstanding quality antique Victorian burr walnut and brass mounted jewellery box, having a quality burr walnut box with quality brass mounts, to the centre of the lid a beautiful co...

Large Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Box with Fruits, Sea Life, Birds and Insects Coffee Table box An antique Japanese copper trinket box of hexago...

19th Century Victorian Majolica cobalt box with a bird handle and white flowers Joseph Holdcroft. Very rare shape box.  

1461 Antique wood cash box with iron handles

This is a small antique trinket box. An English, malachite and silver decorative box with elephant finial, dating to the early Victorian period, ci...

Late 19th century Qing lacquer and hand-carved varnished wood decorative box, China By: unknown Material: wood, lacquer Technique: carved, hand-carved, hand-crafted, lacquered, varn...

A gorgeous hand-painted oval porceclain box with a highly decorated lid. This lovely Neoclassical Revival piece is created from porcelain, and features an oval shape, with a removabl...

A French wooden decorative box from the 19th century from the Maison 'Gellée Gainier' à la Boule d'Or, Paris, leather bound with brass braces, presenting a compartmented interior and...

A Beautiful Handcrafted 19th Century Hardwood Veneer Writing Slope With A Tooled Purple Leather Writing Liner. Item Featured Brass Carry Handles Is Finished With A Decorative B...

19Thc Table top spice box with square nail construction and in fine condition.These early spice boxes are hard to find in such good condition.

A lovely pair of Victorian horn perfume travel containers descended through a prominent New England Family. These two have pretty graining and are in generally good condition. The fi...

An early 19th century burr yew wood needlework or jewellery box, the top decorated with a classical scene surrounded by chequered banding. Raised on brass animal paw feet.

English Georgian Chinroserie bow front tortoise shell tea caddy with a hinged tiered lid, Chinese landscape mother of pearl inlays with flanking pagodas, fences, & foliage trees, central paktong plaque and escutcheon, bone fitted interior border with two lidded tortoiseshell foil lined compartments, and resting on the original four bone ball...

Beautiful antique porcelain hand painted powder box by Limoges, circa 1898. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks...

A divided Humidor by Meriden B. Company, Circa 1898. Made from silverplate with chased baroque pattern. The footed box has two large compartments and two small opening that allow acc...

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...

A stunning and scarce antique English Victorian era burlwood voting box. Hand-crafted in the 19th century, the small table box having a rectangular case wi...

French Painted Papier Maché Snuffbox 1800s. Snuff box of circular shape with fine painting on the lid depicting a mountain landscape with figures and herds crossing a river, a dove f...

Antique 19th century French Boulle/Napoleon III marquetry box. The wooden box is decorated with inlaid brass and tortoiseshell and red silk textile inside. Including key. Signed: Aud...

A nice early American Walnut salt box with wire hinges. Nicely dovetailed case and drawer with dividers. Old, possibly original surface with a great color and patina. Very good condi...

Mid 19th Century Asian Wooden decorative storage box with lid. Measures 13.5"W x 11"D x 11.5"H.

A French painted leather jewelry box with an inset brass handle custom monogrammed “EU, January, 24, 1898”. Inside you’ll find the box is fitted for st...

Nineteenth century Chinese chinoiserie black lacquer tea caddy richly decorated in gold. The exterior shows delicate garden scenes with birds, flowers, and foliage painted with fine ...