Wildlife Garden Wooden Box Mallard 19 × 12 cm cherry wood hand-carved

At a glance

• large wooden box with hand-carved mallard
• made from cherry wood
• mallard acts as the handle for the lid
• oblong shape with 19 × 12 cm footprint
• traditional wooden construction inspired by shrink pots
• crafted without nails or screws
• natural grain and handcrafted surface
• pre-treated with wood oil
• for jewelry, keys, and other small personal items
• dimensions: 19 × 12 × 8.5 cm
• weight: approx. 400 g

Product details

• Brand: Wildlife Garden
• Model: Mallard box
• Item number: WG5104
• Motif: Mallard
• Material: Cherry wood
• Surface: oiled, water-based paint
• Length: 12 cm
• Width: 19 cm
• Height: 8.5 cm
• Weight: approx. 400 g
• Care: occasionally treat with suitable wood oil

A special wooden box with a mallard

With the mallard, Wildlife Garden moves away from the round base shape of the smaller wooden boxes. The oblong box measures 19 × 12 cm, providing plenty of space for jewelry, keys, keepsakes, or other small everyday items.

An artfully carved mallard sits on the lid. As with the other boxes in this series, the animal motif is not just decoration: the duck also serves as a handle for opening the lid.

Cherry wood with natural grain

Wildlife Garden crafts the box from cherry wood. The wood has a warm reddish base tone with a vibrant natural grain. Darker lines and small color variations are inherent to the material and may vary from piece to piece.

Together with the handcrafted finish, this ensures that the result is not a perfectly uniform mass-produced item. Each box develops its own character.

Traditionally inspired woodworking

The construction of the mallard box is also interesting. Wildlife Garden draws on the traditional manufacturing of so-called shrink pots.

This method takes into account that wood works and contracts while drying. The wooden parts are joined together without nails or screws.

This type of construction fits Wildlife Garden very well: the hand-carved animal figure catches the eye first, but there is an impressively interesting piece of woodworking behind it.

The mallard as a handle

The carved mallard sits on the lid and simultaneously functions as the handle. This means that design and practical use are directly integrated.

The motif is particularly well-suited to the box's oblong shape. The resting mallard follows the horizontal line of the lid, making it appear not like an afterthought decoration, but as an integral part of the overall design.

More space than a small jewelry box

With a footprint of 19 × 12 cm and a weight of around 400 g, the mallard is one of the larger wooden boxes in this Wildlife Garden series.

This makes it suitable for more than just individual pieces of jewelry. Keys, smaller desk accessories, or personal keepsakes can also be stored neatly inside.

At the same time, the box is decorative enough to remain on display on a dresser, desk, shelf, or bedside table.

Cherry wood care

Wildlife Garden delivers the cherry wood already treated with wood oil. The manufacturer recommends occasionally refreshing the surface with a suitable wood oil.

Wood is a natural material and changes over time. The color and surface can develop a unique patina—an effect that is quite desirable for such a handcrafted object.

My assessment

For me, the mallard is one of the most interesting variations among the wooden boxes because Wildlife Garden has truly adapted the box's shape to the motif. The oblong box and the duck sitting on it form a visual unit.

At 400 g, you also have a surprisingly solid little wooden object in your hands. That is information that a photo alone can barely convey when buying online.

I find the combination of function and design to be particularly successful again: the hand-carved mallard is the defining detail of the box and the handle at the same time. Added to this are the cherry wood and the traditional construction without nails or screws.

For me, this makes it less of a decorated storage box and more of a small, handcrafted utility item where the mallard is truly part of the design.