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Modern Boxes and Cases

MODERN STYLE

Rooted in centuries of history of adornment dating back to the ancient world, modern jewelry reimagines traditional techniques, forms and materials for expressive new pieces. As opposed to contemporary jewelry, which responds to the moment in which it was created, modern jewelry often describes designs from the 20th to 21st centuries that reflect movements and trends in visual culture.

Modern jewelry emerged from the 19th-century shift away from jewelry indicating rank or social status. The Industrial Revolution allowed machine-made jewelry using electric gold plating, metal alloys and imitation stones, making beautiful jewelry widely accessible. Although mass production deemphasized the materials of the jewelry, the vision of the designer remained important, something that would be furthered in the 1960s with what’s known as the “critique of preciousness.”

A design fair called the “Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes” brought global attention to the Art Deco style in 1925 and gathered a mix of jewelry artists alongside master jewelers like Van Cleef & Arpels, Mauboussin and Boucheron. Art Deco designs from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels unconventionally mixed gemstones like placing rock crystals next to diamonds while borrowing motifs from eclectic sources including Asian lacquer and Persian carpets. Among Cartier’s foremost design preoccupations at the time were high-contrast color combinations and crisp, geometric forms and patterns. In the early 20th century, modernist jewelers like Margaret De Patta and artists such as Alexander Calder — who is better known for his kinetic sculptures than his provocative jewelry — explored sculptural metalwork in which geometric shapes and lines were preferred over elaborate ornamentation.

Many of the innovations in modern jewelry were propelled by women designers such as Wendy Ramshaw, who used paper to craft her accessories in the 1960s. During the 1970s, Elsa Peretti created day-to-night pieces for Tiffany & Co. while designers like Lea Stein experimented with layering plastic, a material that had been employed in jewelry since the mid-19th century and had expanded into Bakelite, acrylics and other unique materials.

Find a collection of modern watches, bracelets, engagement rings, necklaces, earrings and other jewelry on 1stDibs.

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Style: Modern
Chanel Quilted White Caviar Pick Me Up Vanity Case Gorgeous Condition!
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Gorgeous Chanel Caviar Leather Quilted Vanity Case Features Gold Hardware and White Leather Appx Width = 8" Appx Height = 6" Appx Depth = 3" Strap Drop Length = 22" Includes Warranty...
Category

2010s Modern Boxes and Cases

Mid-Century Taxco Mexican Sterling Silver Golf Ball Shaped Pill Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Mexican pillbox. In sterling silver. In the form of a golf ball. Marked to the interior with Mexican hallmarks including TV-50 & Sterlng. Simply a wonderful golf-themed bo...
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20th Century Mexican Modern Boxes and Cases

Materials

Sterling Silver

Ring Roll Jewelry Box
Located in Toronto, CA
Whether at home, on the go, or traveling, make sure your precious rings are always safe with this white crushed velvet jewelry box pochette case with gold tassel detailing. The perfe...
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2010s Hong Kong Modern Boxes and Cases

Vintage Retro 1940s Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver 14K Gold Ruby Compact
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage Retro 1940s Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver 14K Gold Ruby Compact 2.25 inch by 2.25 inch 3/8 inch thick 82.1 gram No evidence of repair, good used condition, see pictures
Category

1940s American Vintage Modern Boxes and Cases

Materials

Ruby, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver

Dome style 20th century clock
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Antique dome style clock from the 20th century notable damage to the front veneer of the glass
Category

20th Century American Modern Boxes and Cases

Underwood London Watch & Jewelry Tan Leather Furniture Storage Box
Located in Dallas, TX
From manufacturer Underwood London, 3 tray tan calfskin leather jewelry and watch furniture storage box. This storage box is crafted with 3 pull-out t...
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Early 2000s Modern Boxes and Cases

Vintage Figural J. E. Caldwell Apple Shaped Sterling Silver Covered Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A terrific apple shaped covered box. In sterling silver and marked for J. E. Caldwell. A wonderful vintage box with great design! Date: 20th Century Overall Condition: It is in o...
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20th Century American Modern Boxes and Cases

Materials

Sterling Silver

Silver 1922 Vyborg Finland J.V.A Rare Sewing Set
Located in Orimattila, FI
Silver 1922 Vyborg J.V.A Rare Sewing Set Stamped in Vyborg 1922 J.V.A 813h Height 6.2cm Faberge Masters. Johan Victor Aarne - one of the famous Finnish jewe...
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20th Century Finnish Modern Boxes and Cases

Materials

Silver

Jocelyn Burton Seashell and Moonstone Encrusted Sterling Silver Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine cylindrical sterling silver box by Jocelyn Burton. The box's lid is richly encrusted with miniature silver sea shells and bezel set with 2 ...
Category

1970s British Vintage Modern Boxes and Cases

Materials

Moonstone, Sterling Silver

American Sterling Silver Cigarette Case with Enamel Nautical Flags
Located in New York, NY
Nautical sterling silver and enamel cigarette case. Made by Thomae in Attleboro, Mass., ca 1960. Rectangular and hinged. Signal flags enameled on front. Gi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Boxes and Cases

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tiffany & Company Sterling Silver Cigar Box with Cedar Lining
Located in Brisbane, QLD
This hefty sterling silver cigar box was made by the American firm Tiffany & Company. The box which is cedar lined has hallmarks telling us it was manufactured post 1965, likely some...
Category

20th Century American Modern Boxes and Cases

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

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1950s Cartier Vintage Gold Eight Day Desk Clock
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Carter Gough & Co. Sapphire Yellow Gold Ladies Compact
Located in Stamford, CT
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Early 20th Century American Modern Boxes and Cases

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Florenza Enamel Elephant Pill Box
Located in New York, NY
Florenza Enamel deep gray Elephant Pill Box from the 1960's USA. Charming subject matter with flip top opening and emerald paste eyes. Best carried in a pouch for enamel protection. ...
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1960s American Vintage Modern Boxes and Cases

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Enamel, Gilt Metal

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Located in New York, NY
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Verdura Sterling Silver and Enamel Masked Face Pill Box circa 1990
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Previously Available Items
Tiffany & Company Sterling Silver Cigar Box with Cedar Lining
Located in Brisbane, QLD
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Early 2000s Modern Boxes and Cases

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French Artillery Shell-Shaped Matchsafe, 1894
Located in St. Catharines, ON
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Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Compact, Circa 1960
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels compact circa 1960, crafted in 18 karat yellow gold and platinum, adorned with 31 transitional and single cut diamonds wei...
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1960s French Vintage Modern Boxes and Cases

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Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Limoges Porcelain Asparagus Shaped Snuff Box for Asprey
Located in Philadelphia, PA
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Late 20th Century French Modern Boxes and Cases

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Located in Dallas, TX
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1950s Vintage Modern Boxes and Cases

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18k Gold, Yellow Gold

875 Silver Soviet Union Russia 1950 Cigarette Case a Gift from the President
Located in Orimattila, FI
875 Silver Soviet Union Russia 1950 Cigarette Case A Gift From The President Stamp Inside 15 , AMIOb , Head and 875 Silver is 875, Inside Gilded Lock Stone maybe Blue Sapphire. CCCP ...
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1950s Russian Vintage Modern Boxes and Cases

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Blue Sapphire, Silver

916 Silver Inside Gilded Soviet Union Russia Cigarette Case
Located in Orimattila, FI
A samodorok silver 916 Silver Inside Gilded Soviet Union Russia Cigarette Case Height 9.9cm, width 7.5cm, depth 1.7cm Silver Stamp 916 and Hea...
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Figural Mexican Sterling Silver Walnut Pill Box from the Mario Buatta Collection
Located in Philadelphia, PA
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Tiffany & Co. Silver Pillbox Luggage, London New York Beverly Hills Tokyo Munich
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
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Early 2000s Philippine Modern Boxes and Cases

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Silver, Sterling Silver

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