Rare Blue Alabaster Jewellery Box – 1950s – Original Label – Italian Artisan Craftsmanship - Jewellery box - Alabaster
00
days
02
hours
24
minutes
25
seconds
 | €29 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €20 | |
| €20 | |
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 144490 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Rare Blue Alabaster Jewellery Box from Volterra, Tuscany, circa 1950s, handmade in Italy from blue alabaster with a textured exterior, brass-toned fittings and a weight of 616 g.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Vintage Italian Blue Alabaster Jewellery Box – Volterra, Tuscany – Circa 1950s
An exceptionally decorative vintage Italian jewellery box, handcrafted in the historic alabaster-working town of Volterra, Tuscany, dating approximately to the 1950s.
This beautiful example of traditional Italian craftsmanship stands out for its striking blue coloration, ranging from luminous turquoise and azure to deep ocean blue, enriched by intricate dark veining and fascinating natural stone patterns.
Unlike the more familiar white, cream and honey-coloured alabaster traditionally associated with Volterra, this intensely coloured blue version offers a particularly distinctive and visually captivating appearance.
Sculptural Design & Craftsmanship
The exterior features an unusual, deeply textured surface, with irregular vertical carvings reminiscent of tree bark or rugged natural rock formations.
This sculptural treatment contrasts beautifully with the smooth, polished surfaces of the lid and interior, creating an appealing combination of texture, colour and craftsmanship.
The hinged lid reveals an equally impressive blue interior, displaying beautifully varied marbling and darker mineral-like patterns.
The original brass-toned metal framing surrounds both the lid and the opening, providing an elegant contrast to the vivid blue alabaster.
The substantial weight of 616 grams further enhances the impression of quality and solidity despite its relatively compact dimensions.
Original Volterra Label
Particularly noteworthy is the surviving original, aged paper label inside the box, bearing references to Italian alabaster craftsmanship and Volterra.
Although partially faded after several decades, this historic label represents an important element of the object's authenticity, provenance and collectible appeal.
Condition & Original Patina
The jewellery box is preserved in authentic vintage condition, retaining its original aged appearance and attractive patina.
The brass-toned metal fittings display oxidation, surface wear and natural signs of age, consistent with decades of existence.
The lid shows some localised lifting or separation in the upper stone surface, visible in the photographs. This age-related imperfection has been left untouched to preserve the object's original character.
The hinge is intact and functions correctly, allowing the lid to open and close normally.
Minor surface marks, irregularities and traces of age are present, as expected from an approximately 70-year-old handcrafted decorative object.
No restoration has been undertaken.
Please examine the detailed photographs, which form an integral part of the description.
Details
Object: Decorative jewellery box / trinket box
Origin: Volterra, Tuscany, Italy
Period: Circa 1950s
Material: Blue-coloured alabaster with brass-toned metal fittings
Colour: Turquoise, azure and deep blue with contrasting dark veining
Exterior: Deeply textured, sculptural finish
Interior: Smooth, polished blue alabaster
Label: Original vintage Volterra label, partially faded
Dimensions: 11 × 7 × 6 cm
Weight: 616 grams
Condition: Authentic vintage condition with original patina, age-related wear and localised lifting of the stone surface on the lid
Hinge: Original, intact and fully functional
A Distinctive Piece of Italian Decorative Art
More than a practical jewellery box, this charming object represents a fascinating expression of mid-20th-century Italian decorative craftsmanship.
Its vibrant blue tones, contrasting textures, substantial construction and surviving original label make it an attractive addition to collections of Italian alabaster, vintage decorative objects and handcrafted accessories.
Equally suitable for displaying jewellery, treasured keepsakes or simply as a sculptural accent on a desk, dressing table or cabinet.
A captivating piece of vintage Italian craftsmanship, combining the centuries-old alabaster tradition of Volterra with an unusually expressive blue finish.
Seller's Story
Archivio51 specialises in the sourcing, selection and sale of vintage, design and collectible objects, carefully chosen for their authenticity, aesthetic quality, history and distinctive character.
Our collection focuses primarily on decorative objects and interior pieces, including vintage lighting, globes and geographical maps, perpetual desk calendars, antique pharmacy and apothecary items, display mannequins and busts, walking sticks, objects in bronze, brass, marble, onyx and wood, industrial and workshop pieces, vintage signs, decorative boxes and containers, as well as other unusual collectibles.
Each piece is individually sourced and carefully selected, with particular attention to its period, provenance, materials, craftsmanship, original patina and condition. Whenever possible, we research and contextualise each object to better understand its history, age, original purpose and cultural background.
Archivio51 operates primarily through international online marketplaces, offering its collection to collectors, vintage and design enthusiasts, interior designers and clients looking for distinctive objects that are difficult to find elsewhere.
Our philosophy goes beyond simply selling pre-owned objects. We aim to rediscover pieces with a story and give them a new place and purpose, while preserving their identity, character and authentic signs of time.
Archivio51 – A selection of uncommon, timeless objects.
Translated by Google TranslateVintage Italian Blue Alabaster Jewellery Box – Volterra, Tuscany – Circa 1950s
An exceptionally decorative vintage Italian jewellery box, handcrafted in the historic alabaster-working town of Volterra, Tuscany, dating approximately to the 1950s.
This beautiful example of traditional Italian craftsmanship stands out for its striking blue coloration, ranging from luminous turquoise and azure to deep ocean blue, enriched by intricate dark veining and fascinating natural stone patterns.
Unlike the more familiar white, cream and honey-coloured alabaster traditionally associated with Volterra, this intensely coloured blue version offers a particularly distinctive and visually captivating appearance.
Sculptural Design & Craftsmanship
The exterior features an unusual, deeply textured surface, with irregular vertical carvings reminiscent of tree bark or rugged natural rock formations.
This sculptural treatment contrasts beautifully with the smooth, polished surfaces of the lid and interior, creating an appealing combination of texture, colour and craftsmanship.
The hinged lid reveals an equally impressive blue interior, displaying beautifully varied marbling and darker mineral-like patterns.
The original brass-toned metal framing surrounds both the lid and the opening, providing an elegant contrast to the vivid blue alabaster.
The substantial weight of 616 grams further enhances the impression of quality and solidity despite its relatively compact dimensions.
Original Volterra Label
Particularly noteworthy is the surviving original, aged paper label inside the box, bearing references to Italian alabaster craftsmanship and Volterra.
Although partially faded after several decades, this historic label represents an important element of the object's authenticity, provenance and collectible appeal.
Condition & Original Patina
The jewellery box is preserved in authentic vintage condition, retaining its original aged appearance and attractive patina.
The brass-toned metal fittings display oxidation, surface wear and natural signs of age, consistent with decades of existence.
The lid shows some localised lifting or separation in the upper stone surface, visible in the photographs. This age-related imperfection has been left untouched to preserve the object's original character.
The hinge is intact and functions correctly, allowing the lid to open and close normally.
Minor surface marks, irregularities and traces of age are present, as expected from an approximately 70-year-old handcrafted decorative object.
No restoration has been undertaken.
Please examine the detailed photographs, which form an integral part of the description.
Details
Object: Decorative jewellery box / trinket box
Origin: Volterra, Tuscany, Italy
Period: Circa 1950s
Material: Blue-coloured alabaster with brass-toned metal fittings
Colour: Turquoise, azure and deep blue with contrasting dark veining
Exterior: Deeply textured, sculptural finish
Interior: Smooth, polished blue alabaster
Label: Original vintage Volterra label, partially faded
Dimensions: 11 × 7 × 6 cm
Weight: 616 grams
Condition: Authentic vintage condition with original patina, age-related wear and localised lifting of the stone surface on the lid
Hinge: Original, intact and fully functional
A Distinctive Piece of Italian Decorative Art
More than a practical jewellery box, this charming object represents a fascinating expression of mid-20th-century Italian decorative craftsmanship.
Its vibrant blue tones, contrasting textures, substantial construction and surviving original label make it an attractive addition to collections of Italian alabaster, vintage decorative objects and handcrafted accessories.
Equally suitable for displaying jewellery, treasured keepsakes or simply as a sculptural accent on a desk, dressing table or cabinet.
A captivating piece of vintage Italian craftsmanship, combining the centuries-old alabaster tradition of Volterra with an unusually expressive blue finish.
Seller's Story
Archivio51 specialises in the sourcing, selection and sale of vintage, design and collectible objects, carefully chosen for their authenticity, aesthetic quality, history and distinctive character.
Our collection focuses primarily on decorative objects and interior pieces, including vintage lighting, globes and geographical maps, perpetual desk calendars, antique pharmacy and apothecary items, display mannequins and busts, walking sticks, objects in bronze, brass, marble, onyx and wood, industrial and workshop pieces, vintage signs, decorative boxes and containers, as well as other unusual collectibles.
Each piece is individually sourced and carefully selected, with particular attention to its period, provenance, materials, craftsmanship, original patina and condition. Whenever possible, we research and contextualise each object to better understand its history, age, original purpose and cultural background.
Archivio51 operates primarily through international online marketplaces, offering its collection to collectors, vintage and design enthusiasts, interior designers and clients looking for distinctive objects that are difficult to find elsewhere.
Our philosophy goes beyond simply selling pre-owned objects. We aim to rediscover pieces with a story and give them a new place and purpose, while preserving their identity, character and authentic signs of time.
Archivio51 – A selection of uncommon, timeless objects.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Era
1900-2000
Weight
616 g
Specific region of origin
Tuscany
Number of objects
1
Country of origin
Italy
Manufacturer/brand
Rare Blue Alabaster Jewellery Box – 1950s – Original Label – Italian Artisan Craftsmanship
Material
Alabaster
Style
Mid-century modern
Colour
Blue, Green, Grey
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of ageing
Height
6 cm
Width
11 cm
Depth
7 cm
Estimated period
1950-1960
Sold by
