small decorative boxes

Though the technique of lacquerware actually originated in China, it spread to northern Thailand centuries ago and firmly took hold there. Artisan Nantana Sompamitre crafts this delightful pair of petite heart-shaped boxes from mango wood and paints them carefully with floral motifs. The result is two very special boxes in which to store tiny treasures.

The city of Bukhara in Uzbekistan has been renowned since the 16th century for being a capital of the folk art style called lacquer miniature painting, which are paintings on small objects like decorative boxes, powder cases and more finished with several coats of lacquer for extra gloss and protection. This awe-inspiring jewelry box crafted from walnut wood is entirely decorated by hand by Uzbek artisan Mukhamedali using gold leaf accents, tempera paints and five layers of lacquer that make the floral and vine-themed accessory a stylish way for keeping your beloved treasures safe and organized.

Carved from raintree wood, a delightful lacquer ware turtle couple is painted by hand with lovely floral motifs. Nantana Sompamitre creates this charming pair of decorative boxes. Each turtle's shell lifts up to reveal an interior for storing small items and valuables.

Painted by hand, lovely gold-tone floral and leaf motifs decorate the black surface of this decorative box from India. Created by Mohammad Hussain Baba crafts this rectangular box from lacquered papier mache over weeping willow wood. The lid lifts open to reveal a single-compartment interior for storing small items.

Forming a circle, four quarter-round boxes display the ancient technique of lacquerware. Though the art form originated in China, the technique spread to northern Thailand centuries ago and firmly took hold there. Artisan Nantana Sompamitre crafts this set of four small boxes from mango wood and paints them carefully with floral motifs in tones of yellow and red.