Understanding Your Find: Is It a King Wood Company Box?
So, you are the finder of a wooden jewelry box that was hidden at a flea market or even inherited it from a family member. The name “King Wood” comes to your mind. But before you go ahead, it’s really important for you to be able to identify what indeed you possess. A lot of people, including collectors and enthusiasts, mistake this term.
Most likely, your discovery is one of three types. Knowing these categorizations will help you to get its age, value, and maintenance information.
The Three “King Woods” of Jewelry Boxes
“King Wood” may refer to the brand name, an exceptional wood type, or a company that is not making boxes today. Antique king wood company jewelry box collectors and sellers must know these differences well.
| Category | Description | Key Identifiers |
|---|---|---|
| King Wood Company Ltd. | A mass-market manufacturer based in Taiwan/Hong Kong, active in the late 20th century. Produced popular, functional wooden jewelry boxes and armoires. This is likely what you have. | Foil label on back/bottom: “King Wood Co., Ltd. Made in Taiwan/Hong Kong.” Dark wood finish, often with etched glass doors. |
| Kingwood (The Material) | An expensive, exotic hardwood (Dalbergia cearensis), a true rosewood. Used in high-end, often antique, bespoke furniture and decorative objects. Extremely rare and valuable. | Dense, heavy wood with a fine, straight grain and a distinct violet-brown hue. Found in museum-quality antiques. |
| The Kingswood Company | A modern American company founded in the mid-20th century. They cover high-quality jewelry care products like cleaners and polishing cloths, not the boxes themselves. | Products are clearly branded cleaners, cloths, or care kits. They do not manufacture wooden boxes. |
The Legacy of King Wood Company Ltd.: A Profile
Long gone are the days of King Wood Company Ltd., whose products are now common in second-hand markets. They were among the biggest players in the exports industry in the 80s and 90s. Their products are the embodiment of affordable decorations from that time.
Although these boxes are not distinguished as antique masterpieces, they still form a part of the story of manufacturing. They enable a viewer to have an old reality of the design and consumer’s mindset at the time.
From Taiwan to the World
King Wood Company Ltd. was established in Taiwan around 1980 as a humble start and turned out to be a giant manufacturer meeting global demand for affordable products for the household. The company peaked as an exporter of various products with a volume of wooden and MDF jewelry boxes, armoires, and watch boxes.
Their strategy was focused on mass production for the overseas market. Their main clients were the USA and Europe. The King Wood Company’s profile on Global Sources made such items from different kinds of wood, which made them a key supplier for the department store and mail-order catalog industry at the time.
What Happened to the King Wood Company?
Many companies from that time period have disappeared from the modern marketplace. The original King Wood Company Ltd. seems to have followed this pattern. Trade directory listings show no activity after the mid-to-late 2000s.
The company might have been closed, merged with other companies, or it is operating under a different name. They might also have shifted their focus to a different type of manufacturing. Nowadays, almost every king wood company jewelry box is vintage or second-hand. These items are the ones that survived from the company’s production glory days.
【Unique Value Point】 A Buyer’s Guide to the King Wood Company Jewelry Box
Those who are in the market for a vintage king wood company jewelry box should be well informed about what they should look for. These items are not only affordable but also readily available. They therefore serve as great starting points for people who want to collect or for those who desire functional, retro storage.
This guide is a treasure map to the necessary skills for identifying, valuing, and acquiring these objects.
Common Styles and Models
King Wood Company produced many different models, yet most of them could be sorted into certain categories. The following are the products that I, as a collector, often see:
- Upright Jewelry Armoires: These are the most iconic models. They can be large, freestanding pieces or the common tabletop version. The main characteristic is that the side doors swing open to show hooks for huffing necklaces, sometimes on a carousel type of mechanism.
- Tabletop Boxes: These are the classic jewelry chests with a hinged lid. They usually have two or more drawers, a top compartment with ring rolls, and a mirror inside the lid. Sizes range from small, simple boxes to larger, multi-tiered organizers.
- Musical Boxes: A renowned type was a small, hand-wound, musical box. As you lift the lid, it plays tunes like “Für Elise” or “Love Story.” The winding key is often at the rear or bottom.
- Boxes with Etched Glass: This is the signature design. Many armoires and big boxes are equipped with glass doors, which are absent, but conservationists have noticed time-eaten etchings of flowers, birds, and abstract forms.
Key Features to Identify an Authentic Box
The years of touching these elements have made me realize that the best identifiers are the tangible details. The most distinctive of these is the small gold or black foil label on the bottom or back. It usually reads “King Wood Co., Ltd. Made in Taiwan” or “King Wood, Hong Kong.”
Beyond the label, look for these defining characteristics. The hardware tends to be intricate – a Victorian style, but is very often brass disregarding the fact that it is brass plated. You can often perceive base metal glimmering on used edges. The interior typically comes with synthetic felt lining in red, beige, or gold. Features such as revolving necklace carousels, plastic ring rolls, and multi-level drawers are king wood company jewelry box’s typical marks.
Where to Find Them and What to Pay
If you are looking for a king wood company jewelry box, a second-hand market is your best option. You will find them at yard sales, flea markets, and thrift stores. Also, the web is full of platforms such as eBay and Etsy with the latest offers.
For example, you may be able to view some of the products through the listings for a King Wood Company Limited Jewelry Box on eBay. The prices for these boxes are low, mostly because they were mass-produced. The prices often vary by size, age, condition, and features. Small boxes range from about 100 for big elaborate armoires in mint or intact condition with working music components.
How a Kingwood Box Differs in Quality and Price
The authenticity of a genuine kingwood box helps to discern between them. These are first-class quality antiques which contain very rare and highly sought-after materials. They are built with precision, feature solid brass hardware, and commonly, intricate marquetry.
In searching the antique kingwood jewelry boxes, the cost quoted is often in the thousands of dollars while the alternatives are just hundreds. By risking a brief comparison of the price, we can notice the difference between the brand name and the luxury material.
【Unique Value Point】 Caring for and Restoring Your Vintage Find
After getting your king wood company jewelry box, it is necessary to perform some maintenance work to prevent it from losing its glamour and functionality. Most of the pieces made are tough, but age and wearing can make them look untidy.
Reviving the wood, cleaning the hardware, and restoring the interior are the simple steps you can follow. Your vintage find will glow like new.
Step-by-Step Gentle Cleaning Guide
- Dusting: The first step involves thoroughly wiping the entire surface of the item both outdoors and indoors with a soft dry microfiber cloth. You should remove all loose dirt and debris.
- Wood Cleaning: For the exterior, use a small amount of quality wood cleaner (like Murphy Oil Soap) diluted in water. Be careful to apply it with a damp cloth, not so wet that it gets soaked. Immediately wipe the surface dry with the clean cloth to prevent water damage.
- Glass Panels: If your box has etched glass doors, spray standard glass cleaner onto a clean cloth. It is important not to spray directly onto the glass, as overspray can damage the wood finish. Wipe gently to clean the panels.
- Hardware: The brass-plated hardware is delicate. Use quality metal polish applied with a Q-tip or soft cloth. Polish gently to avoid rubbing through the thin plating.
Simple Restoration Tips
- Lining Replacement: If the interior felt is stained or musty, you can replace it. Carefully use a craft knife to cut and peel away the old lining. Use old pieces as templates to cut new felt from any craft store. Attach it with a thin layer of fabric glue.
- Scratch Repair: For minor surface scratches, you can often hide them with a wood repair marker that matches the dark finish. For a traditional fix, gently rub the meat of a walnut over shallow scratches. The oils help darken and conceal the marks.
- Wobbly Feet/Hinges: Screws on the feet or hinges can get loose over time. You’ll take a small screwdriver and gently tighten them. Don’t be too hard on yourself and remember not to strip the wood by overtightening.
Modern Alternatives for Your Precious Collection
A king wood company jewelry box is a storage option with a twist of history and nostalgic charm. But your storage issue might take new forms, such as different materials, or totally new layouts. Vintage items typically provide great nostalgia, but there are times when just being functional is more important.
For storage projects that require particular layouts, enhanced wholeness, or unique designs, professional jewelry box supplier alternatives offer variable solutions. They have a lot of high-quality and customizable things to choose from which are dedicated to storing and showing your collection for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is the King Wood Company still in business?
Based on available information from trade directories last updated in the 2000s and their products’ prevalence on second-hand markets, King Wood Company Ltd. of Taiwan/Hong Kong unlikely operates under the same name today. They are now considered producers of vintage items.
2. How can I definitively identify a King Wood Company jewelry box?
The general indication is a foil label made by the manufacturer. It is typically a little sticker on the bottom or the back which writes something like “King Wood Co., Ltd.” Other features include the style (often dark wood with etched glass) and elements common in the 1980s-90s, such as red felt lining and revolving necklace hangers.
3. What is the difference between a King Wood Company box and a “kingwood” box?
A king wood company jewelry box is a brand name for jewelry boxes made by a specific manufacturer, typically using common woods and veneers. A “kingwood” box is made from rare and expensive kingwood timber, a type of rosewood. The latter are typically high-end antiques and significantly more valuable.
4. Are King Wood Company jewelry boxes valuable?
They are generally not considered high-value antiques. Their value lies in nostalgic charm and functional design. Most sell in the 100 range on marketplaces like eBay and Etsy. Price depends heavily on size, condition, and unique features like working musical components.
5. What’s the best way to clean the red felt lining inside my box?
Avoid using water, as it can damage backing and create mildew. The best method uses a vacuum with soft brush attachment to lift dust and debris. For small spots or lint, gently dab with packing tape to lift dirt off the felt surface. For heavy soiling, professional cleaning or careful replacement is the safest option.
