Mele Jewelry Box
Emidio Mele, an immigrant from the small town in Italy called Volturarra Irpina founded Mele in 1912. Emidio immigrated to the USA at the age of 12 in 1896 and lived with a family in New York City that was from his same hometown. Wolfsam and Sachs, a maker of display cases for jewelry, employed Emidio at a very young age. It was here that Emidio learned the trade that would later be the basis of his own company.

In 1912, at the age of 28, Emidio started his own business, Mele Manufacturing. When Mele was established, its focus was on designing and building elegant displays for jewelry store windows. Emidio was the craftsman, salesman, and the deliveryman. One of Emidio’s first customers was Tecla Pearl who sold an exquisite line of pearls and owned a retail store on Fifth Avenue.

The business grew and survived the Great Depression of the 1930’s and early 40’s. The entry of the US into WWII had a tremendous impact on manufacturing since materials were very difficult to obtain for consumer goods. However, the company was fortunate enough to receive orders from the government to design and build the boxes that held the Purple Hearts awarded from the war. These orders helped the company survive during these years.

In the 1940’s, three of Emidio’s four sons joined the company. Edward, the eldest son, joined Mele after graduating from college. Joseph and Raymond both first served in the military, Joseph as a tugboat captain and Raymond as a fighter pilot. In 1947, after the war ended and they both graduated from college, Joseph and Raymond joined the family organization.

During this decade, the demand for consumer goods rose, so the company began to prosper. Mele had a spectacular success with their introduction of a covered jewelry box with a tray that automatically rose as you lifted the lid. In 1948 Macy’s listed this box as one of the ten best-selling holiday gifts in an article featured in Life magazine. Mele was becoming a household name!

In addition to the popular covered jewelry boxes, the company saw much success in the mid 50’s with the introduction of musical jewelry boxes, with the musical movement imported from Switzerland. Shortly after, Mele added a children’s music box with a revolving ballerina, which was an instant success. In the spring of 1957, black lacquer jewelry boxes were being sold in a New York City department store and Mele began importing these also. These Japanese lacquered boxes were an immediate hit. From the lacquer boxes evolved what became known as furniture miniatures, which were small versions of various styles of furniture. These are representative of many of the styles featured in today’s Mele jewelry box collection.

By the 1950’s, Mele had experienced spectacular growth, and had facilities in seven locations in New York State, including one in the Kerk Guild building in Utica, NY. Due to so many locations, the company decided to consolidate to a single location to be more efficient. In 1956, the entire Mele operation was moved to a 450,000 sq. foot complex in Utica, New York, which had formerly housed the Utica Knitting Company Mill. This relocation allowed the company to continue to grow and add additional lines to the Mele organization.

Over the following years, Mele acquired a group of companies ranging from packaging to modular flooring. In 1961, E & A Gunther Co. was purchased, which was selling jewelry boxes in Canada, and later was named Gunther Mele. Also In 1961, the Farrington Packaging division was purchased, which produced custom packaging. In 1968, Mele purchased Lionite Ltd., which became the European manufacturer of jewelry boxes known today as Lionite Mele Ltd. Six years later, Blue Star Leather was purchased, specializing in handcrafted leather desk accessories, which today is also the exclusive distributor of the dated products and specialty books branded Leathersmith of London. The following year in 1975, Mateflex, a plastic injection modular flooring company, became part of the Mele organization. Farrington Loose Leaf – a bookbinder manufacturer- was purchased in 1985.

Today, our company is known as the Mele Companies in order to encompass all divisions. Recently, we moved all of our operations, except the Farrington division, to a newer more efficient facility – still in the city of Utica. We have a long history in this city and we are proud that we have been able to maintain our presence in a city rich in Italian heritage, just like our company. Our new facilities have allowed us to be much more productive in all aspects, allowing us to serve our customers even more efficiently. Mele is the foremost name in jewelry cases and we aim to continue leading this category well into the future. Our jewelry boxes can be found in department stores, jewelry stores, independent gift stores, children’s stores and luggage stores throughout the country. Throughout our history, we have developed strong relationships with our retailers throughout the country, while still maintaining our Mele Family atmosphere. It is our goal to continue cultivating these relationships and adding many new ones to our Mele Family in the years to come and to continue as “America’s Foremost Name In Jewelry Cases Since 1912!"

Mele Kids jewelry boxes boast an array of collections from the traditional musical ballerina box, shimmering looks for teens, a unique ballerina case with clock and more! With so many styles and features to choose from, we offer a look for every girl of every age.

The Travel Collection offers the practicality and fashion needed to accommodate jewelry in style while traveling. This category holds four great collections, including the Sueded fabric and Textured leatherette. They offer a wide range of styles with incredible storage features, including removable interior cases and carry handles. All are lined with a suede-like fabric to protect jewels on the longest trip.

Mele Classic Cherry collection features seven styles with cream interiors and individual features. Decorative hardware addorns these styles. Mirror in lid, photo frames, necklace carousels and etched glass doors are other distinguished features of these styles.

The deep, rich tone of cherry, accented with beautiful floral inlays, offer a traditional touch to our Cherry Floral Adagio jewelry box collection. This group boasts a unique musical movement for each style. In addition, these selections offer features such as full mirror in lid, ring rolls, shirred pocket and necklace hooks. Both styles are lined with a luxuriously soft, sueded fabric.

Corinthian Walnut Jewelry Box new styles feature ornate sculpted corners and a Burlwood finish on the lids. Interiors include full mirror's in the lids, ring rolls and antiqued hardware. All styles are lined with a luxuriously soft, cocoa sueded fabric.

The Walnut Traditions styles in a walnut finish, exemplify the essential features available in all of our boxes. Antiqued hardware, ring rolls, etched glass panels, key lock with tassel, full mirrors and shirred pockets, are just some of the many features. All styles are lined with a luxuriously soft, sueded fabric to cushion jewelry.

The Java Collection in a deep silky espresso finish is perfectly accented with brushed nickel hardware. This distinctive finish offers a look that blends with modern furniture but can easily adapt to traditional looks as well. All are lined with soft, suede-like fabric that cushions and protects valuables.

The two styles of Burlwood Walnut styles display elegance with a contemporary flare! In an elegant burlwood finish with goldtone hardware and many outstanding features. Both are lined with soft, suede-like fabric that cushions and protects valuables.

The warm pattern of a Burlwood Inlay combined with Oak, creates our timeless Burlwood Oak Collection. Features ranging from full mirrors, necklace hooks with shirred pockets and lift out trays, offer many options to choose from, all with a soft, suede-like lining to cushion and protect valuables.

The warm honey hue of the Mele Oak Expressions Collection offers an understated elegance. These beautiful cases highlight all of the features of our finest cases. All styles are lined in a luxuriously soft, sueded fabric.

The Mele Moderne Collection is a clean & contemporary silhouette. With silvertone hardware and exceptional storage features in each style. All are lined with soft, suede-like fabric that cushions and protects valuables. An elegant addition to your boudoir.

Floral Gardens collections of whitewood finished boxes portray sophisticated elegance in any setting. Two groupings are presented that feature hand painted designs on a whitewood background. Select features include necklace hooks, mirrors, ring rolls and decorative molded hardware. All are lined in a soft, suede-like fabric that cushions and protects valuables.

The Luxurious Leather Mele Jewelry Box Collections is the newest collection named for our companies founder..."The Emidio Mele" group of genuine leather travel cases, feature exceptional quality and craftsmanship. With distinctive features in each case, from ring rolls to shirred pockets, key locks and pincked jewelry protectors. All boxes offer a quilted suede-like lining to cushion and protect valuables.

All styles within the impressive collection of Armoires provide the ability to organize jewelry and accessories in a very attractive, floor-standing case. Our new locking armoire offers the peace of mind of knowing that jewels are safe. Finishes include oak, cherry and more. All armoires have two swing-out side compartments and multiple drawers, as well as a lift-lid that opens to a divided top section with ring rolls and a large mirror.

The Mele line contains 20 styles that feature a musical movement. From our children's collection to sophisticated whitewood, oak and cherry styles. All feature a precision movement with lid or drawer activation. Most children's styles feature a spinning ballerina. A perfect musical gift for anyone on your list.

No frills practicality and traditional styling are features that are offered at For the Gentry. A special box to hold coins and jewelry or a specialty box for watches – Mele offers a gift for him that is out of the ordinary!

The Watch Case Collection offers the perfect gift for the storage of all fine watches. Cushioned watch / bracelet pillows are featured in every style. A unique gift idea!!

See More Items From Mele Jewelry Box!

 

	Toy Name: Mele Giselle Kids Music Box Company: Mele Jewelry Box Giselle Kids Music Box by Mele has beautiful ballet slippers, bows, and flowers in the front. This Mele Jewelry Box is Musical and features a spinning ballerina, lift lid with mirror, storage section on top, rose shaped drawer pulls, and has hand lined pink sueded fabric interior.
	Toy Name: Kaitlyn Kids Music Box Company: Mele Jewelry Box This Kaitlyn Kids Music Box by Mele plays is a musical jewelry box for kids. It features a spinning ballerina, lift lid with mirror, open section on top, 3 open drawers, necklace carousel with window, and has hand lined pink sueded fabric interior. Plastic.
	Toy Name: Mele Nicolette Jewelry Box Company: Mele Jewelry Box This beautiful Mele Nicolette Jewelry Box is the perfect jewelry box for teenagers, women, and young ladies! It features a center necklace carousel, dual side necklace doors, ring rolls inside right door, etched glass, 2 open drawers, antiqued brasstone decorative drawer pulls, and hand lined with cocoa sueded fabric interior.
	Toy Name: Ashley Kids Music Box Company: Mele Jewelry Box This Ashley Kids Music Box is a musical jewelry box for kids. It features a spinning ballerina, divided section on top, swing out sides with 3 necklace hooks each, clock (AA battery not included), open drawer, hand lined with pink sueded fabric interior, and has decorative hardware. Made of Plastic. AA Battery Required (not included).