Antique Boxes

Antique boxes are a very sought after, collectable item. When purchasing antique boxes it is possible to pick up some beautiful pieces, if only for display purposes, they look lovely on a shelf or mantelpiece. There are an extensive variety of styles and sizes of antique boxes, including jewellery boxes, writing boxes, toolboxes, toy boxes, vanity boxes, snuff boxes, sewing boxes, cigar boxes and cutlery boxes.

History of Boxes

Wood was the earliest material used to make a box- an antique box has a certain charm in itself. Boxes evolved from this simplistic creation for a number of purposes. During the 18th C the Rococo and Neo-classical designs saw beautiful mahogany boxes, which are both beautiful and durable. During the late Neo-classical period the following materials were applied to the boxes to make them more ornate- enamel, marble, brass, mother of pearl, copper, ivory and paper mache.

Antique boxes appearance also began to be enhanced by adding banding, inlay and stringing. Veneers got thinner by the second half of the 19th C and there are a number of nice antique boxes with walnut veneers. As are there some beautiful antique silver boxes on the market.

Types of Antique Boxes

When looking for an antique box it is important to consider its age, condition, the maker, the nature of the construction, the value and its history.

Antique Silver boxes

It is possible to pick up a vast number of antique silver boxes; the love affair with all things silver began in the 16th C and the beginning of the 17th C, during this time among other things boxes were produced made from silver. Silver boxes were very popular so there is still a wide selection available. Their main use was to store valuables, whether this was jewellery, snuff or tobacco. Silver is less porous than wooden boxes so was useful at protecting its contents from external elements.

Silver boxes had a certain status attached; they were namely owed by the wealthy, stylish and often simplistic, though they can be very ornate in some cases. They can come with a lock and key. A silver snuffbox sits neatly in ones pocket. They may have minor markings; complex locking mechanisms and some can come with lovely padded interiors.

A silver music box is a very valuable and sought after collectors item. Popular antique silver box makers of their time include F. Boyton and Co, Charles Elay, John Edwards II, Thomas Kendrick and Thomas Lamborn. When purchasing an antique silver box pay attention to the hallmarks, if genuine it will help identify the date of manufacture. Silver boxes should have a purity of 92.5%.

Antique Jewellery boxes

Used to store a number of personal effects antique jewellery boxes have a history all of their own; love letters, jewels, personal effects among other things would have been housed in them. Early designs of jewellery boxes were fairly modest; they may have been covered in leather and lined with satin.

During the Regency period though there was the addition of ring compartments with cushioned grooves; a necklace compartment, with hooks to hang and display drawers for bracelets, brooches, earrings and there may have also been secret compartments.

Other popular antique boxes include the tea caddy, which will often have very detailed construction. Hand painted boxes are also lovely- a chinoiserie box is particularly nice.

Makers of antique boxes of note are Asprey, Chubb, Hancock, Jenner and Knewstubb, Lovegrove and Flint and Tolmin and Gale.

Sort by:

Scroll to see all 899 items.

Large Late C18th 2 Drawer Hanging Box

An unusual shaped with tapered sides 2 drawer Welsh oak hanging wall tidy in original condition Having a shaped back over a sloping lid original handles Good colour and patination

£690

$900 €793

19th Century Lignum Vitae String Box

This is a well turned 19th Century antique 3 piece Lignum Vitae string container

£110

$143 €126

Victorian Silver & Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

A collectors Tea Caddy made from solid silver and tortoise shell Its in great condition all around Silver hallmarks on the lid and also the tea lettering It dates

£690

$900 €793

19th Century Coquille Nut Container

Offered for sale is this 19th Century antique well carved with good colour Coquille nut 2 piece container

£85

$111 €98

Quality 19th Century Horn Snuff Box

Offered for sale is this mid 19th Century antique horn snuff box in excellent condition with an inlaid horn lid

£75

$98 €86

Unusual 19th Century Wooden Snuff Box

This is an unusual 19th Century antique wooden Snuff Box constructed in pine with a pressed surface showing a country scene with cottage and trees The interior lined with silver

£80

$104 €92

Italian Rectangular Pietra Dura & Ebony Box

Offered for sale is this 19th Century Italian antique rectangular pietra dura and ebony box

£1,960

$2,555 €2,254

Mahogany Brass Inlay Table Box c.1820

A large decorative table box made from mahogany Its covered in intricate brass inlay through out It dates to the regency period It has two original wooden drop handles on

£270

$352 €310

Mahogany Tea Caddy c.1840

A great example of a mahogany tea caddy with tulipwood cross banding and boxwood bound Its in great condition all around the its age The interior comprises of twin mahogany

£270

$352 €310

Georgian Inlaid Tea Caddy

This is a good 18th Century Georgian antique inlaid tea caddy with conch shell inlay to the top with a good colour original containers and mixing bowlIf you require more

£285

$372 €328

Scarce Solid Mahogany Georgian Writing Box c.1810

It is always a pleasure for any collectortrader of any line to come across something different and this particular box is certainly that Believed to have been made during the

£350

$456 €402

Inlaid Olive Wood Perfume Casket with Bottles c.1890

This is an inlaid olive wood perfume casket in fine condition Unspoilt patina Attractive wild grain No missing or replaced veneer Original inlaid brass cartouche Lid closes perfectly square on

£155

$202 €178

Oak Cigarette Box c.1910

A lovely cigarette box completely original The main exterior wood is oak with brass overlays dotted around the box Its also complete with a brass cigarette decorative overlay on the

£140

$183 €161

Tunbridge Ware Table Box c.1870

An attractive tunbridge ware table box with perspective cube effect Its in great original condition with all the inlays intact Its been bounded in coromandel wood and box wood This

£300

$391 €345

Burr Walnut Vanity Box c.1870

A beautiful all around fully kitted vanity box Its made from a charming burr walnut wood giving off an attractive grain Immaculate inside and out There is a inlaid mother

£690

$900 €793

Mechi & Bazin Fitted Rosewood Dressing Box c.1865

Fine quality inlaid rosewood dressing box made by the partnership of Mechi and Bazin of London The partnership John Joseph Mechi Charles Bazin is believed to have only spanned

£225

$293 €259

19th Century Mauchline Ware Money Box

In good undamaged condition we have this 19th Century antique sliding top money box in Mauchline ware depicting Bridlington Sands

£65

$85 €75

Early 19th Century Horn Snuff Box

Offered for sale is this 19th Century antique oval horn snuff box in good original condition

£120

$156 €138

Over Sized Burr Wood Snuff Box

This is an extremely large over 6 long Burr wood snuff box in excellent original colour patination and condition Lined in red tortoise shell

£290

$378 €333

Antique Teapoy, English, William Iv, Rosewood, Work Box c.1835

This is an antique teapoy an English William IV rosewood work box dating to the early 19th Century Superb colour in the polished rosewood finish Grain interest throughout with a

£2,250

$2,933 €2,587

Moroccan Style Wooden Trinket Box

This is a Moroccan style wooden trinket box It has decorative wood making different patterns across the box with a series of starbursts to the lid and side panels

£15

$20 €17