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Antique Boxes, Caskets & Caddies

Buy antique boxes from one of the UK's premier furniture dealers. We have an excellent range of antique boxes, antique caskets, caddies & je…

Buy antique boxes from one of the UK's premier furniture dealers. We have an excellent range of antique boxes, antique caskets, caddies & jewellery boxes. Whatever it is that you need to store safely, securely or perhaps away from prying eyes, Regent Antiques are sure to have an antique box or antique casket to suit your requirements.

Writing boxes, jewellery boxes, musical boxes, caskets, stationery boxes, sewing boxes, snuff boxes, pill boxes, games boxes -  all of these come to mind as examples of the many different types of antique boxes that we have to offer to our customers.

Jewellery Boxes - Every Lady’s Dressing Table Should Have One

Of all the types of boxes we have in stock at any given time, it is likely that the most numerous type will be the jewellery box or casket. Used to keep the family jewels in one place, usually lockable, jewellery boxes varied in size and shape but were often small and light enough to accompany the lady to which they belonged on her travels.

Sometimes they would be fitted with a musical mechanism, and they often featured a small figure of a ballerina dancing which activated when the box's lid was opened.

It is true to say that the jewellery box was often as decorative, and sometimes as precious, as the jewellery that was stored within it and we have many examples of antique jewellery boxes that are works of art in their own right - just browse this category to see what we mean.

Tea Caddies - Storage For A Rare and Precious (and expensive) Commodity

In days gone by, what is now an everyday item, Tea, was a very precious and costly commodity, far out of reach for all but the wealthiest of English folk. As such, it had to be carefully stored and protected, all of which led to the introduction of the Tea Caddy once shipments of tea to the UK began in volume during the early 1600s.

Tea caddies come in many forms ranging from elaborate and bejewelled, often made from precious metals including silver or even gold. However, they also came in more sensible formats as well, often being crafted from woods such as mahogany and walnut. Although there are many old tea caddies around, they are still produced to this day and are prized possessions for those who still prefer to drink loose tea rather than tea bags.

An Office In A Box - The Antique Stationery Casket or Antique Stationery Box

Just as in the example of the Tea Caddy above, often boxes were used to protect and secure items which were precious and expensive. Paper and other writing implements and paraphernalia were certainly not the throwaway items that they are today.

This led to the development of the stationery box or casket - a place where all of your paper, ink, pens and other items of stationery could be kept safe, often under lock and key.

Sometimes the stationery box was incorporated into a writing slope - truly an early office on the move and ideal for those who did not have sufficient space in their homes for a desk or bureau. It was also a welcome possession for those who were frequently travelling but still needed to keep in touch with others by letter.

From a Lovely Hand Painted Sevres Style Porcelain Casket through to a Victorian mahogany writing slope or even an Antique William & Mary Oyster Veneered Lace Box dating back to the 17th century, we have all your storage needs covered.

Take a look at our range of antique boxes and call us on +44 20 8809 9605 or email us if you want to find out more.

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Ref: A2972
Antique Palais Royal French Casket Necessaire Vanity Chest by L. Dujat 19th C

Antique Palais Royal French Casket Necessaire Vanity Chest by L. Dujat 19th C

This is a fine and well fitted ebonised Gonçalo Alves Palais Royal travel necessaire / vanity chest, by Maison Smal L. Dujat - Palais Royal 7 (Paris), Circa 1850 in date. This superb vanity chest was made by L. Dujat, one of the artisans who had a workshop in the Paris street where the artisans of the Royal Palace worked, and his products were commissioned by the Court that resided in the now extinct Palais Royal. The box features inlaid gilt banding and brass bound edges, the hinged cover opens to reveal a removable mirror, the interior with fitted silver plate mounted faceted  glass jars, the lids engraved with foliate scroll decoration,  the jars of square, circular, oval and rectangular form each sitting in shaped blue velvet recesses. The front with brass fittings, the tops of the doors are inscribed with details of the retailer 'MAISON SMAL L. DUJAT Sr Bte SGDG PALAIS-ROYAL 7', The number 7 is for the 7th arrondissement of Paris, which is today perhaps the most expensive area to live in Paris, the Eiffel Tower, one of the most famous tourist sites in the world, is located here, as well as many government buildings,  ministries, the National Assembly and others. Many dignitaries and VIPs today prefer to live in this arrondissement. The doors open to reveal three trays with beautiful brass inset handles that have superb engraved foliate decoration. The top one with a fitted blue velvet tray with manicure and other tools, to include a file, penknife, scissors, button hook, corkscrew, pen, etc, . The middle tray with shaped storage boxes of varying form, one tin lined , the bottom one velvet lined for jewellery. Complete with working lock and original key. It is a lovely piece which apart from its functionality is also a decorative one. Condition: In really excellent condition. As an antique items, the chest show very minor signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, the chest displays beautifully.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 20 x Width 35 x Depth 27

Dimensions in inches:

Height 8 inches x Width 1 foot, 2 inches x Depth 11 inches

£2,100.00

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