Kling Furniture Company
a brief history of the Kling Furniture Company, an iconic and now vintage furniture brand.
Kling Furniture company was created as a collection of furniture companies in New York State. John Alexander Kling, an immigrant from Sweden, purchased several struggling furniture companies, starting with the Chautauqua Spring Bed & Lounge Company in Mayville, New York in 1911.
He bought three other plants and eventually his enterprise operated under the name “Kling Factories.” Each plant focused on one style of bedroom furniture and within 17 years, Kling became one of the largest volume producers of furniture in the US.
The depression years of the late 1920s and 30s were tough on Kling, but John’s sons were able to manage and pull through as many other furniture companies caved. Aiming to continue to provide heavy, solid wood furniture of great quality remained in the company’s mission.
Quality Furniture Maker
The 1940s through 1960s became the peak production time for Kling and this is generally the period of greatest quality. More advertising opportunities in magazines such as “Better Homes and Garden” and “House Beautiful” helped solidify the company’s reputation as a quality furniture maker.
Kling
Kling was eventually purchased by Ethan Allen in 1962. Sometimes we see a piece which is marked “Kling Colonial” which signifies the joining of Kling with Ethan Allen. Ethan Allen dropped the name later.
We love Kling furniture here at Bohemian’s. To us, Kling furniture has extreme beauty, durability and history. Frequently we are lucky enough to find Kling Mahogany Furniture. Using genuine mahogany on all exposed parts AND all secondary woods (drawer bottoms and sides, inside cabinets), Kling bedroom furniture in mahogany is especially desirable and long lasting. Refinishing this vintage furniture brings back the beauty of distressed Kling pieces and we seem to never tire of it.
Kling furniture
The style of Kling furniture can vary. Often we see echoes of Chippendale Styles: shells, fluted columns and bracket feet are common among vintage Kling styles. Solid brass hardware can either be left with patina or shined to original glory. (The years of WWII left Kling, like every furniture company, not being able to use solid brass and instead using a faux proximity. If you find a piece with plated or aluminum hardware, you can date it to the war years.) We like to clean the hardware to get that sparkle and contrast on a vintage piece.
Indeed, the beauty of Kling and it’s prominence as a true American Furniture Company has not been forgotten. Certainly, we see Ethan Allen looking to its roots for furniture design with Kling. Often, the two brands are indistinguishable. Simple, classic design and high quality materials make Kling one of our go-to brands for vintage furniture. We hope that you too will enjoy this superb furniture maker.
Kling Furniture Stamp
Kling Furniture Stamp is a mark of quality furniture that originated in New York in the early 20th century. The company is known for producing solid wood furniture that is both durable and stylish. The Kling Furniture Stamp is a guarantee that the piece was crafted with care and attention to detail. Today, Kling Furniture is highly sought after by collectors and homeowners alike, with many pieces retaining their value for decades. If you’re looking for furniture that will stand the test of time, look for the Kling Furniture Stamp.
The following is a Kling Colonial Furniture Stamp, this stamp was used after Ethan Allen furniture bought the company at around 1970. The Kling Colonial stamp was used for about 2 to 3 years.
The following is the older tin badge used from the 1940’s thru the 1950’s. Kling Furniture Stamp.
Thank you for inviting us into your vintage home!
Rachel La Bohème
Bohemians Fine Furniture Store
Hi Heath,
The Kling Colonial stamp signifies your desk was made after 1962, which is when Ethan Allen purchased Kling. It could have been made as late as 1970-1975.
Thanks for reading!
Rachel
Hi I have a kling trestle desk and was wondering what years they made these?
It has the wood burned Kling colonial stamp in drawer
Hi Chris,
I might be able to help if I had a photo of the bed. Please feel free to send me an email with a photo to rachel@ebohemians.com and I will certainly do my best to try and date it for you.
Thanks so much for writing!
Rachel
I recently purchased a twin size bed cannonball style and I believe it is very old… One of the slats for the bed it says it’s from plant number three Frewsburg NY… being delivered to Manchester New Hampshire C A Hoitt Co…I’m trying to ascertain how old it is and I’m having trouble… Do you think you could help or advise me?
I’m not sure what I can tell you about it Coleen. If you are looking for an appraisal, I would need to see photos and know the condition. Kling made great solid wood furniture and distributed nationwide in the 1940’s-1960’s. I really like Kling’s mahogany furniture and I think they made beautiful classic styles. Thanks for writing! If you would like a more specific appraisal, please send photos and info to rachel@ebohemians.com. Thanks so much!
Probably between $200-$500 a dresser, between $200-$400 on the pair of nightstands, and anywhere between $200-$500 on the bed. But all depends on where you are selling it and the condition Ronald. Please take a look at our selling furniture article for more information. Thanks!
1948 Kling Bedroom set made of Mahogany sold in Strawbridge and Clothier Vaule of it today
I’ve just been given a Kling Mahogany bedroom set. What can you tell me about. Purchased in the 1940s
Enjoy it! Whatever way you like the look is great! we write these blogs not always because a piece is worth tons, but more because they are a great value or overlooked, you found a piece overlooked. I would try Howards restore a finish found at home depot, thanks for sharing and enjoy.
You will love my story. Last week I came upon a small truck with a piece of furniture in it. It was driven into the dump. I followed and asked if I could have the piece of furniture. The driver took it from his truck and put onto my cargo area. He told me he had planned to use it in a reconstruction job but decided on something else. He told me the name of the manufacturer, which is Kling. (Kling – solid maple is stamped on the furniture .) It is a dry sink and in pretty good condition. Has two drawers of which one has three sections for silver. Then there are two doors on the bottom. One door has its key and the other door is missing the key. There was a shelf in the bottom area but that is also gone. I can easily replace that. I am going to have to replace the backboard, but other than that I think I can use Formby’s and end up with a pretty piece. Possibly could just polish. Perhaps that is what I should do and keep the patina. What do you think?