Bible box

A Bible box is a small container, roughly the size of a Bible, designed to store and safely transport the book when it was a costly possession. Many versions feature a slanted or angled top with a lower lip, so that when the box is placed on a table, it can hold the Bible open for reading, effectively functioning as a portable lectern. Over time, these boxes were also used or specifically built to hold writing tools like a quill, ink pot, blotting paper, and writing paper, with the slanted surface then serving as a desktop for both reading and writing.

Across much of Europe, Bible boxes were made from materials such as wood, metal, or ceramics, ranging from simple to extremely ornate styles. They were especially popular in the 17th century, and many refined examples are now found in museums. In Colonial America, these containers were produced locally by both amateurs and professionals in a wide variety of styles and finishes.

In the United States, the term "Bible box" is sometimes misapplied to antique objects that are actually simple portable desks with no biblical connection. A more modern, cheaper, and more portable version is the Bible case.