Victoria

The Allure of Antique Boxes

The Allure of Antique Boxes

An intriguing blend of artistry and practicality, these versatile remnants of times past have been sought after for centuries as trusted repositories for everything from tea to trinkets. Whether clad simply in unadorned wood or embellished with inlaid mother-of-pearl designs, they pique our curiosity about what lies within.


Like a lovingly wrapped gift, antique boxes beckon with entrancing exteriors featuring brass scrollwork, hand-painted floral motifs, and elaborate marquetry. Occasionally filled with timeworn accessories that hint of their past lives, the interiors can be every bit as delightful.


“When [boxes] first became commonly used in the eighteenth century, they had a more practical purpose,” says Barbara Ashford, co-proprietor of Henhouse Antiques. “They were used to store various objects like important papers, tea, sewing supplies, and toiletries. Each was handcrafted and unique.”


A captivating trio of nineteenth-century boxes, pictured above, creates an elegant vignette. Above to below: This mahogany Georgian tea caddy is embellished with brass feet and an ivory-framed keyhole. An English writing slope features intricate geometric-band marquetry. Accented with brass corners, this English campaign-style writing slope has a secret drawer for important documents.

Text Kimber Mitchell
Photography Stephanie Welbourne Steele

To discover more carefully preserved antique treasures, see “The Allure of Antique Boxes” on page 71 of the January/February 2013 issue.

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