Why we value old antique wooden boxes
We’ve handled hundreds of old antique wooden boxes at Shimu, and the attraction is always the same: they’re made with sound timber, have honest wear and a touch of ingenuity. Most were made between the late-19th century and the 1930s, in beech, elm or cedar cut thick enough to survive rough journeys across China. You’ll still see the brass or iron hardware—drop handles, butterfly hinges, stepped hasps - fixed exactly where the maker set them a century ago.
These boxes were the briefcases and jewellery safes of their day. A lawyer kept deeds in a long, shallow document chest; a bride packed dowry silks into a lacquered trunk; families on the move stowed snacks in a lidded picnic box. Some carry removable trays or fold-out mirrors, proof that the original owners prized order as much as portability.
Fast-forward to the 21st Century, and the same pieces slot straight into modern life. Placed on a hallway console table, they’re great for keys, line another with felt for watches, or stack a pair beside the sofa to hold remote controls and magazines. The worn lacquer and bruised corners are part of the story – an added character no factory finish can fake.
A Sample of Some of the Boxes We Source and Restore
Mirror & Jewellery Boxes — Jiangsu, c. 1920
These were sourced from the Jiangsu province, between the cities of Suzhou and Shanghai. Each one folds open to reveal a tilting mirror with two shallow drawers underneath. Handles on the lid made them easy for a traveller to carry; today they sit neatly on a dressing table and still do the job they were built for—keeping rings, cufflinks and hairpins in order. Original brass hinges and, on smarter pieces, bone inlay, add a flash of sparkle without tipping into fussiness.
Brass-Clasp Storage Boxes — Zhejiang & Anhui, 1900-1930
These are the workhorses of Chinese storage boxes. Rectangular, lidded and usually beech or elm, they came with a chunky brass clasp so the owner could thread a padlock through and keep documents, sewing silks or even a month’s wages safe. The timber has seasoned to a warm honey, the hardware has gone dull gold and the dovetail corners are still rock-solid. We replace nothing on these boxes unless it’s missing; a quick wax and the box is ready to take TV remotes, paperwork or a stash of cables.
Carved Keepsake Boxes — Zhejiang, c. 1920
These boxes are smaller and fancier: a lift-off lid, a shallow drawer and floral carving picked out on the front panel. Local cabinet-makers aimed them at middle-class households where a bride needed somewhere safe for cosmetics or hair ornaments. The carving has softened with age but the detail is still crisp; pop one on a sideboard and it becomes an instant talking point - or fill it with photos and give it as a gift.
Putting Old Antique Wooden Boxes to Work at Home
If you are looking to create order on a dressing table, we’d recommend one of these Antique Wooden Jewellery Boxes. The fold-out mirror still works, the little drawers still slide, and the patinated brass looks better than any high-street organiser. Rings and cufflinks drop straight in; a quick close of the lid keeps the surface clear.
Used in the hallway, the sturdy brass-clasp storage box comes into its own as a catch-all. It will happily sit on your console table, and lined with felt it’s a perfect place for keys, coins and spare batteries—everything that normally clutters the top. On a coffee table you could use a lower, wider box for coasters, playing cards and TV remotes to be kept until needed, and the warm elm grain adds texture against glass or polished stone.
Old boxes also make memorable gifts. Fill a carved keepsake box with photos, a favourite bottle or a bundle of letters and hand it over as a ready-made time capsule; the recipient gets the present and something permanent to house it. For impact, group two or three boxes of different heights on a sideboard—stacked, offset or lined up—which instantly reads as a curated collection rather than random storage.
Buying & Caring for a Box from Shimu
Ordering is simple. Every old antique wooden box is photographed individually, so the image you see online is the exact piece we send. Check out on the website with any major card or PayPal, or call into the Bradford showroom if you prefer to pay in person; all card data is encrypted end-to-end.
Because boxes count as accessories, they ship by FedEx rather than on a furniture van. Standard mainland UK delivery costs £7.50 and usually reaches you in two-to-five working days. Spend over £1,000 across the site and standard delivery is free with the code FREEUK. Overseas shipping rates appear at checkout.
If the box isn’t quite right, let us know within 14 days. We’ll arrange collection and refund or replace once it’s back with us in unused condition and in the original packaging. Made-to-order items are exempt, but none of the boxes fall into that category.
Looking after the wood is easy: keep the box out of direct heat, wipe with a soft cloth and give it a thin coat of natural wax once or twice a year. If you have any questions, please ring us on 0800 088 6800 or email info@shimu.co.uk; we’re here Monday to Saturday.
Black Lacquer Furniture
|
Blue and White Ginger Jar
|
Chinese Artwork
|
Chinese Tableware
|
Buddha Head
|
Green Chinese Ginger Jar
|
Chinese Blue Lamp
|
Oriental Rugs
|
Oriental Cabinet
|
Chinese Sideboards
|
Mango Furniture
|
Chinese Furniture
|
Chinese Buddha
|
Blue Chinese Rug
|
Large Buddha Statue
|
Chinese Temple
|
Dragon Necklace
|
Second Hand Chinese Furniture
|
Chinese Coffee Tables
|
Chinese Medicine Cabinet
|
Chinese Armoire
|
Chinese Furniture Birmingham
|
Chinese Furniture Glasgow
|
Chinoiserie
|
Chinese Lanterns
|
Chinese Figurines
|
Calligraphy Brushes
|
Chinese Lamp Shades
| Modern Chinese Interior Design
| Old Antique Wooden Boxes
| Chinese Console Tables
