Art Deco Celluloid Ring Box/Vintage Ring Presentation Box/Ring Proposal Box, Jewelry Display Box

What better way to house your antique jewelry than in an antique case? Vintage jewelry presentation boxes are highly collectible, used by dealers to enhance the display of their items and by collectors to store their jewelry or to display the boxes for their inherent beauty. These three boxes reflect the appeal of the celluloid and similar plastics that were so popular in jewelry boxes from the Art Deco era and thereafter.

Celluloid, the first successful synthetic plastic, was a cheap substitute for ivory in jewelry, dice, and countless other items and, by the Art Deco era, had acquired a cachet of its own: Roaring ‘20s flappers adorned themselves with celluloid hair ornaments and arm bracelets, while women daily sported celluloid dress clips, compacts, etc. Other plastics, like bakelite and lucite, likewise succeeded in the production of accessories, including jewelry boxes.

These ring boxes span the popular styles from the 1930s to the 1960s. The “flared ears” box evokes Art Deco in both its shaping and etched details; the “book” box is likely from the 1940s-1950s; and the box on the stand conjures up the Jetsons, the Flintstones, and all things influenced by the 1950s-1960s Space Age.

All are in great condition despite their age (one even has its original outer box) and each has its own history. Better jewelers personalized these boxes with their store’s name, and such customized ring boxes have special appeal to collectors. The “flared ears” box is from Dalton’s jewelers, of Petersburg, Virginia, whose beginnings I can date back (from old ads) to before the 1930s. The “book” box is from L. Fred & Son, a family business founded in 1892 and sold 75 years later. And, the Space Age box [marked H. Vargas of Barranquilla] references the famous jeweler, Hector Vargas, in the city of Barranquilla, Columbia, known for its fine emerald jewelry. This box is RARE (I’ve never seen one like it), with a detachable stand (it can be used either way) that it remarkably still has, despite age and fragility.

Pick the one you love … or start your collection with all three!

NOTE: Boxes are priced and sold individually. Rings not included. Victorian turquoise pin is for sale, listed separately

Size/Details: Flared ears: 3 ¼” W x 2 ¼” D x 1 ½” H, marked “Dalton’s Jewelers, Petersburg, Virginia”; on bottom “Warner J.C.Co. Buffalo.”

Book: 1 1/8” W x 1 ½” D x 1 ¾” H, marked “L. Fred & Son Jewelers 307 August St Waco, Texas.” SOLD

Box with stand: 1 ¾” W x 2 ¾” H with stand, 1 ½” H without, marked “H. Vargas Gran Centro 458975-454435 Barranguilla” and “Made in USA” etc. on bottom. SOLD

Condition: Excellent vintage. No chips, cracks; interiors clean; Vargas box whiter than its stand. All tight closures.


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