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Medium Enamelled Box - Compass of Life

A dark enamelled lid, a warm wooden body and a compass rose glowing in gold, red and teal: this box brings a small sense of direction to a shelf, dresser or desk. It is the kind of piece you keep for the things you want close at hand, and enjoy looking at between uses.

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A dark enamelled lid, a warm wooden body and a compass rose glowing in gold, red and teal: this box brings a small sense of direction to a shelf, dresser or desk. It is the kind of piece you keep for the things you want close at hand, and enjoy looking at between uses.

Read the whole story ↓

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About this product

What you'll notice
  • The lid is a deep, near-black enamel finish, which makes the colours of the design stand out sharply.
  • At the centre is an eight-pointed compass star, ringed with red and teal patterning, with the words "Compass of Life" set beneath it.
  • Soft clouds in gold and a blooming lotus flower curl around the compass, giving the artwork a calm, decorative feel.
  • The body is wood with a rich, dark-honey tone, and the grain shows clearly along the front and sides.
  • A small antiqued metal latch at the front fastens the lid with a quiet, satisfying click.
Enamel above, wood below

The box pairs two surfaces that work well together. The smooth enamelled lid carries the artwork, while the wooden body gives the whole piece a warm, grounded presence. The contrast between the glossy, graphic top and the natural grain below is what makes it look good from across the room as well as up close. Wood varies from piece to piece, so the grain and tone of yours will be its own.

Where it fits in your day

It suits the small things worth keeping together: jewellery, keepsakes, tea, trinkets, or the odds and ends of a daily ritual. Set it on a bedside table, a bookshelf or an altar-style corner, and the compass motif gives the space a quiet point of focus. Close the latch and the contents stay tucked away; open it and you have a small moment of ceremony.

The compass as a symbol

The compass rose is a long-standing symbol of orientation: finding your bearings, choosing a direction, keeping a sense of purpose when the way is unclear. Paired with the lotus, which in Indian and Buddhist art is often a symbol of rising with grace, the design reads as a gentle reminder to stay oriented. It is meaning to keep near you, not a promise of any result, and it makes this a considered choice for someone starting a new chapter.

Care

Wipe the enamelled lid and the wood with a soft, dry cloth. Keep the box away from damp and from standing water, which wood does not like, and avoid harsh cleaners on the printed surface.

A thoughtful gift

The compass theme suits a graduation, a house move, a new job, a milestone birthday, or anyone about to set off somewhere new. It is a gift that says "find your way" without needing a word of explanation.

Length15.5 cm
Width10.5 cm
Height6.5 cm
Weight300 g

Mounting

Tabletop

Common questions

How does the box close?
It has an antiqued metal latch at the front that holds the lid shut.
Is the design printed on the wood or on the lid?
The artwork sits on the dark enamelled lid, while the body of the box is natural wood.
What would I keep in it?
Jewellery, keepsakes, tea or small ritual items all suit it. It works best for lighter, smaller things you want to keep together and close to hand.
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What customers say about pieces like this

Real reviews from this category, verified purchases first. Each one names the piece it was written about.

  • ★★★★★ SHAMTAM customer
    Brilliant-looking boxes.

    These caught my eye as I was wanting a small storage box, but with a bit of style to it. These look just like, 'pirate' style boxes which I love. The wood is solid and well treated, the rivets and straps are real (they don't actually serve a strapping purpose but look great, the hinge is good with a supporting bar to s

    About: Treasure Chest Storage Box Set Of 2 Grey →
  • ★★★★★ SHAMTAM customer
    Beautiful but clasps are delicate

    These boxes are beautiful. There's a tiny padlock. I use the large box for medication and it's perfectly sized to hold them. The smaller one I use for keys and bits and bobs. They really are beautiful. The smaller box's clasp has broken but it's not worth the hassle of returning.

    About: Treasure Chest Storage Box Set Of 2 Grey →
  • ★★★★★ SHAMTAM customer
    Good quality, more on the medium side.

    Great gift set nice box and ribbon, card and pull tissue paper included. Box is more on the medium side, not very deep so wouldn't be able to stack multiple things to keep in mind. But nice presentation and nice box. Good quality.

    About: Gift Hamper Box, Teal →