Price guide to novelty shaped jewellery boxes including an Austrian enamelled piano shaped box and a Tiffany acorn shaped box. Novelty boxes were created to look as though they are another object such as the Austrian piano below.
An Austrian gilt metal and enamel piano form jewelry box and chair
20th century
length of piano 4 3/4in (12cm); height of chair 2 3/4in (7cm).
Sold for US$ 875 (£ 624) inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2017
A DAVID LINLEY ARCHITECTURAL JEWELLERY BOX IN THE FORM OF A GEORGIAN TOWN HOUSE
CIRCA 1996
Incorporating several exotic woods, including three types of sycamore, and harewood, for the parquetry work, and burr walnut for the brickwork, the roof with hinged opening to reveal a red velvet lined compartmentalised interior, stamped and dated below the front steps, under pull-out drawer
12 ¾ in. (32.5 cm.) high; 10 ½ in. (27 cm.) wide.
Sold for GBP 3,500 at Christie’s in 2015
AN UNUSUAL EDWARDIAN SILVER NOVELTY JEWELLERY BOX in the form of a piano, with two hinged covers. Birmingham C1915. 5.5ins wide.
Sold For: £220 at Hannam’s Auctioneers Ltd in 2014
An Edward VII novelty jewellery box in the form of a toilet mirror, London c.1902, William Comyns (Charles & Richard Comyns) the oval dressing mirror above bow fronted base with velvet lined drawer, raised on four stepped feet, the base with later engraved dedication, approx 25cm high x 17cm wide x 12cm deep. Note: Sold on behalf of St. Christophers Hospice.
Sold For: £550 at Roseberys London in 2014
French art nouveau style novelty clock with jewelry box in base. New Haven Clock Co. Ca. 1910.11” t x 8” w.
Sold For$175 at Bruhn’s Auction Gallery in 2015
Tiffany Studios
“ACORN” COVERED BOX
engraved L.C.T. and impressed 22469/EL178
enameled copper
4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm) high
4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm) diameter
circa 1905-1909
Sold for 15,000 USD at Sothebys in 2017
Cesare Roccheggiani