What were wood marquetry boxes used for originally?

These vessels functioned as secure containers for valuable commodities, personal correspondence, and precious items. Tea caddies preserved expensive imported leaves, while writing boxes provided a portable slant surface for penning letters. Interior compartments kept small instruments, inkwells, and documents organised. Their placement on parlour tables also served a purely decorative purpose to demonstrate the owner's refined taste.

How do I care for antique wood marquetry boxes?

Maintaining these items requires stable environmental conditions away from direct sunlight and extreme humidity changes. Sunlight fades delicate dyed veneers, while fluctuating moisture causes the wood carcase to expand and crack. Dust gently with a soft dry cloth and apply a microcrystalline wax occasionally to nourish the historic polish. Avoid liquid cleaners and modern polishes containing silicone.

How can I tell the difference between Georgian and Victorian boxes?

Georgian examples often favour restrained classical proportions utilising satinwood, harewood, or mahogany with architectural stringing lines. The marquetry tends to focus on classical urns, shells, or subtle floral sprays. Victorian pieces frequently display denser, darker woods such as rosewood and burr walnut paired with exuberant floral motifs or geometric Tunbridge mosaics. Mass production techniques also became more prevalent as the nineteenth century progressed.

What is the difference between marquetry and inlay?

Marquetry involves assembling a complete picture or pattern from various veneer sheets before gluing the entire composition onto the box surface. The decorative veneer covers the entire carcase background. Inlay involves carving recesses directly into the solid wood base and inserting contrasting pieces of material into those specific cavities. Marquetry creates a continuous mosaic skin, whereas inlay sits within isolated channels.

Home > Antiques For Sale > Wood Marquetry Box > Page 4

Wood Marquetry Box

96 items · page 4 of 6

← Page 4 of 6 →

When choosing a wood marquetry box, collectors examine intricate veneered patterns applied to functional vessels spanning the Georgian and Victorian eras.

Antique English Victorian Tunbridge Ware Cribbage Box

19th century

Save

Antique English Victorian Tunbridge Ware Cribbage Box

From Applecross Antiques

£285

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

Important Antique Stamped Victor Raulin Cartonnier Cabinet Bookcase & Drawers

19th century

Save

Important Antique Stamped Victor Raulin Cartonnier Cabinet Bookcase & Drawers

From Royal House Antiques

£20,000

FOR SALE

furniture

Regency Rosewood and Brass Inlaid Tea Caddy

19th century

Save

Regency Rosewood and Brass Inlaid Tea Caddy

From Hobson May Collection

£525

FOR SALE

boxes

18th century

Save

Rare Late 18th Century Partridge Wood Octagonal Georgian Tea Caddy C. 1790

From Richard Anthony Rush Antiques

£340

FOR SALE

boxes

19th century

Save

Small Size Tunbridge Ware Rosewood Box

From Carse Antiques

£100

FOR SALE

boxes

19th century

Save

Travelling Chess and Backgammon Board

From AJD Antiques

£175

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

18th century

Save

George III Mahogany Knife Box

From Thakeham Furniture

£1,080

FOR SALE

boxes

19th century

Save

19th Century Book Shaped Inlaid Olive Box

From Debenham Antiques Ltd

£495

FOR SALE

boxes

Victorian Walnut and Parquetry Tea Caddy

19th century

Save

Victorian Walnut and Parquetry Tea Caddy

From Past to Present

£135

FOR SALE

boxes

Antique English Victorian Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy ~ Henry Hollamby

19th century

Save

Antique English Victorian Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy ~ Henry Hollamby

From Applecross Antiques

£1,250

FOR SALE

boxes

The inventory encompasses diverse international origins, recording pieces from English workshops alongside Swiss musical boxes and Syrian inlaid trunks.

19th century

Save

19th Century Marquetry Dressing Table Swing Mirror

From Prior and Willis

£1,396

FOR SALE

mirrors

Beautiful Rosewood Marquetry Inlaid Box.

19th century

Save

Beautiful Rosewood Marquetry Inlaid Box.

From Koos Limburg Jnr. Scotland

£290

FOR SALE

boxes

19th century

Save

Tunbridge Ware Table Box 1880

From Michael Johnson Antiques

£350

FOR SALE

boxes

17th century

Save

17th Century German Marquetry Table Cabinet

From Hansord Antiques

£4,980

FOR SALE

cabinets

19th century

Save

Antique Edwardian Gonçalo Alves Marquetry Inlaid Music Cabinet 19th Century

From Regent Antiques

£1,275

FOR SALE

cabinets

Outstanding Early Victorian 19th Century Inlaid Burr Walnut Writing or Sewing Table

1940 - 1960

Save

Outstanding Early Victorian 19th Century Inlaid Burr Walnut Writing or Sewing Table

From London City Antiques

£6,595

FOR SALE

tables

← 1 2 3 4 5 6 →

Wood Marquetry Box

Antique English Victorian Tunbridge Ware Cribbage Box

Important Antique Stamped Victor Raulin Cartonnier Cabinet Bookcase & Drawers

Regency Rosewood and Brass Inlaid Tea Caddy

Rare Late 18th Century Partridge Wood Octagonal Georgian Tea Caddy C. 1790

Small Size Tunbridge Ware Rosewood Box

Travelling Chess and Backgammon Board

George III Mahogany Knife Box

19th Century Book Shaped Inlaid Olive Box

Victorian Walnut and Parquetry Tea Caddy

Antique English Victorian Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy ~ Henry Hollamby

19th Century Marquetry Dressing Table Swing Mirror

Beautiful Rosewood Marquetry Inlaid Box.

Tunbridge Ware Table Box 1880

17th Century German Marquetry Table Cabinet

Antique Edwardian Gonçalo Alves Marquetry Inlaid Music Cabinet 19th Century

Outstanding Early Victorian 19th Century Inlaid Burr Walnut Writing or Sewing Table

Add keywords to the filter

Price

Era

Period

Style

Material

Origin

Stock Location

Recently Added

Online Payments

Categories