small keepsake box

Working in papier mache, Fida Hussain crafts a charming box in the shape of an egg. Hand-painted motifs depict golden foliage from Kashmir's rare chinar trees on a black background. The inner surface is a sleek black to hold small keepsakes and treasures.

Dazzling on a sleek, dark square, a mosaic diamond reveals an ancient craft technique. Lacquerware was brought to Thailand from China centuries ago; today Thai artisans have developed their own unique styles. Nantana Sompamitre crafts a decorative box of dramatic beauty. She carves the mango wood into the desired shape and coats it with lacquer. Once dried it is polished, and another coat is applied – up to twenty times – before as many six coats of pure lacquer are present. Next, eggshells are cleaned and cracked into small pieces. Sompamitre arranges them in the desired pattern on a fresh coat of lacquer. The lid is lacquered twice more and sanded in water until the eggshells appear.

Working in the colonial style of reverse-painted glass, Peruvian artisan Felicita Espinoza designs a charming decorative box. Its black surface is hand-painted with lavish floral motifs, finished with gold-tone trim for a striking appearance. It opens with a hinge to a single-compartment interior for storing small items and keepsakes.

Elegant butterflies explore a lush floral garden against a black background on this decorative box. Asunta Pelaez paints the beautiful motifs by hand on the inside of glass panes. The box opens to reveal a sleek back interior.

Lavish floral motifs on sleek black bring their own charisma to this jewelry box. Khalid Ali crafts the piece of mango wood, covering it in brass repoussé bathed in nickel. He lines the box with velvet and adds a lift out tray for smaller treasures. He then adds ornate handles, a mirror inside the lid, and a latch that can by locked.