Decorative box
A decorative box is a box that is meant to be both useful and pretty. It’s often used for gifts or promotional packaging. Larger historical boxes are called caskets, while smaller ones are simply boxes.
Gift boxes are usually made from sturdy paperboard or corrugated cardboard. They have a base and a removable lid and are created by die-cutting the board. The box is covered with decorative paper and can be finished with ribbons or tissue paper to look extra special.
One of the best-known types is the feminine work box. It typically has a small tray with many compartments for items like needles, threads, and scissors. Its origin isn’t exact, but 17th-century examples exist, and by the 18th century these boxes were made to look very dainty and elegant. Work boxes are portable, though some sit on a table.
A jewelry box, or casket, stores trinkets and jewelry. They can be simple, leather-covered and satin-lined boxes, or they can be large, ornate cabinets built for royalty. Renowned craftsmen have created famous examples for royal patrons.
The snuff box is another well-known type. Snuff boxes held a ground tobacco and scented oils mix that people used in the 18th century. They come in pocket sizes for personal use and larger table boxes for sharing. To keep the snuff from drying out, boxes have tightly sealing lids. Wealthier versions were elaborately decorated with gold, silver, ivory, gems, and intricate artwork, while cheaper versions could be made from papier-mâché or even potato pulp. Snuff boxes were popular across society and were often given as gifts or diplomatic tokens.
A strong box is a heavy container used to protect money, deeds, and other valuables. Today we often use safes, but strong boxes had elaborate locks and sturdy construction in the past.
In the dining room, decorative cases for cutlery were common. Early cases protected knives and spoons and could be made in wood like mahogany and satinwood, sometimes with inlays. They were often displayed in the room and sometimes kept as matching pairs or adapted into stationery cabinets.
A Bible box is a box made to hold a Bible, starting in the 17th century. An étui is a small, elegant case carried in a pocket or purse that holds everyday tools such as scissors, needles, tweezers, or makeup items. Fabergé even created a famous Necessaire Egg as an étui.
Wooden wine boxes are used to ship and store expensive wines. They’re often decorated with the winery’s logo, and today many boxes are kept as decorative pieces in bars or cellars. A typical wooden wine box holds six or twelve bottles.
Decorative boxes blend practicality with art, keeping valuables safe while adding beauty to everyday life.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 02:09 (CET).