Chinese Boxes
From antique trinket boxes and hat boxes, to ornate lacquered pillow boxes, our collection of beautiful Chinese boxes includes a wide range of unique options. Whether used to store jewellery and other treasured items or to hide away unsightly clutter, a few carefully chosen wooden boxes offer a stylish way to add an eye-catching touch to your interiors. All of our boxes are available for direct delivery to your door, making it easy to enhance your home with these unique items.
Chinese Antique Boxes
Here at Shimu we offer a wide and ever-changing range of original antique pieces imported directly from China, including a selection of charming antique boxes which are a testament to the rich history and craftsmanship of ancient China. These ornate containers, often intricately designed, served various practical and decorative purposes.
Hat boxes, known as 'hezi' in Chinese, were traditionally used to store and protect valuable headwear. In ancient China, hats were not just functional items but also symbols of status and rank. The boxes were crafted to be as exquisite as the hats they contained, often made of fine woods and adorned with intricate carvings or inlays of jade, ivory, or mother-of-pearl. Their shapes were typically round or oval, reflecting the form of the hats.
Food carrying boxes, or 'tiffin carriers', were multi-tiered containers used to transport meals. Made of wood, metal, or bamboo, these boxes were practical for carrying various dishes, keeping them separate yet together. The stacked design allowed for the easy transport of a full meal, from rice at the bottom to accompaniments in the upper tiers. These carriers were often decorated with auspicious symbols, ensuring a meal not just of sustenance, but of good fortune.
Lacquered boxes are perhaps the most renowned. The art of lacquering involves applying multiple layers of a special resin to create a smooth, polished finish. These boxes, often in deep reds or blacks, were embellished with gold leaf, paintings, or carvings. Used for storing jewellery, documents, or cosmetics, they were as functional as they were beautiful.
Chinese jewellery boxes and more
In addition to our selection of antique boxes, here at Shimu we also offer a range of new Chinese jewellery boxes and storage boxes. Our silk-covered jewellery boxes are designed to provide a beautiful way to safely store precious items such as necklaces, rings and earrings, whilst our ornately decorated and lacquered pillow boxes are are reproductions of the those used in ancient China to hold valuables while the owner slept, with their head resting on top to protect the contents.
A unique storage solution for contemporary interiors
A large lacquered box or an ornately carved hat box can serve as a statement piece in a living room or bedroom. Placed on a coffee table, console table or sideboard, it can draw the eye and become a stylish focal point in a room. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Chinese boxes are inherently practical. In a world where decluttering and Marie Kondo's tidying methods reign supreme, these boxes can be used to store remote controls, jewellery, or even sewing kits. Their multi-tiered design, especially in the case of food-carrying boxes, makes them ideal for organising small items in spaces like home offices or craft rooms.
The beauty of Chinese boxes lies in their ability to blend seamlessly with various interior styles. Whether juxtaposed against sleek modern furniture, paired with mid-century pieces, or complementing traditional interiors, they bring a layer of texture and history. Incorporating Chinese boxes into contemporary homes is more than just a nod to the past; it's about re-imagining tradition in new contexts. These boxes, steeped in history, can be both functional and decorative, bridging the gap between ancient craftsmanship and modern design trends.
Shop for Chinese boxes at Shimu
Whether you’re looking for an elegant solution to bedroom storage or for stylish accessories to bring a touch of Chinese design into your living room, our range of new and antique Chinese boxes offers something for everyone.
All of our products are available to buy directly from our website for convenient home delivery direct to your door. Alternatively, why not visit our light and airy showroom in Albion Mills, Greengates, West Yorkshire?
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