VICTORIAN JEWELRY BOXES
1840-1901
Jewelry boxes, then as now, come in all sorts of materials. Polished wooden boxes with tufted lining, silver plate or sterling, and designs with the Classical motifs so popular with the Victorians. Generally more geometric and straight-sided than later boxes, they can be simple with a cartouche for engraving or ornamented with wreaths, ornate scrolls, cartouches and cherubs.
 

    VICTORIAN English wooden jewelry box with green tufted satin fitted interior, glass front drop front which opens to two small drawers, lock with key, 5" high and 9" by 6".   View   View   View   View   #a29182

  VICTORIAN English wooden jewelry box with fitted maroon velvet interior, 4" tall by 6-3/4" wide and 5" deep.   View   View   View   View   View   #a29181 

SWISS or Tyrolean peasant carved black wood jewelry box with swing-out velvet-lined drawers, circa 1845, 4" high and 8" long.   View   View   View   #a29196 

ART NOUVEAU JEWELRY BOXES
circa 1900-1918
The jewelry boxes of this era become more rounded, with embossed flowers and leaves. Most of these lovely boxes were made of spelter electroplated with copper, gold or silver, and were called "metal art". The boxes are now more rounded with more pronounced legs and are decorated with the flowing lines, lovely ladies and swirling flowers typical of the Art Nouveau design sense. These were often lined with silk or satin, and because the fabrics were delicate, boxes with the original lining in perfect condition are difficult to find today. Our catalogue collection shows that these became popular in about 1904, and after about 1918, we could find no more in the catalogues. Prices of these range from $ .50 to $5.00.