Chinese SECRET COMPARTMENT Box With 15 Hidden Compartments (and Personalization)

In this Instructable, we would like to share with you how to make a Chinese Treasure Box. On the front, it looks like there are 16 boxes, but there are actually 31 boxes of various sizes! This is a traditional piece of art, but the fun part is that you can personalize it however you would like!

The first 5 steps are shared by all such treasure boxes. Step 6 is the part making the “decorations” of the individual box. You can make you own patterns (some are shown in step 7) and see how it turns out after you assemble it in Step 8.

I wish you have much fun with this work and trying out new variations.

Enjoy!

26 pieces of paper size 4”x8”

6 pieces of paper size 8”x16”

1 pieces of paper size 16”x33” (the extra 1” will be used as the book spine)

Double sided tape

Glue stick / Glue

Make 16 small square boxes with paper size 4”x 8” (as in the following pictures).

Make 8 small rectangular boxes with paper size 4”x 8” (as in the following pictures).

Make 4 medium square boxes with paper size 8”x 16” as in Step 1

Make 2 medium rectangular boxes with paper size 8”x 16” as in Step 2.

Make 1 large square box with paper size 16" x 33" as in Step 2. Make sure to leave out the 1" wide book spine in the middle!

(OPTIONAL) Decorate the 16 small square boxes as in the following pictures. You can create your own variations and patterns.

Instead of the classic folding in the last step, you can always create your own variations. Some of my favorites are shown here.

At this time, check if you have all the boxes-16 small squares, 8 small rectangles, 4 medium squares, 2 medium rectangles, 1 large rectangle.

For each rectangle piece, glue as shown.

Secure 2 medium rectangular boxes to the large square box as shown with double side tape.

Secure 4 medium square boxes to the two rectangular boxes

Secure 8 small rectangular boxes

Secure 16 small square boxes.

Use one piece of 8"x16" size paper to make a belt following the steps and secure it to the back of the big square box as shown. Spread to glue this part of the big square box. Similarly, glue together the symmetric part of the big square box.

Make one more small-square box with decoration part matching the rest of the small square boxes. Tape the top and bottom at the back of this piece to the cover so that the belt can be through.