Kingwood was grown in the dry country around Ceara in northern Brazil. It is described as ‘Kingwood’ In sources from mid-1770s, but before this was known as Prince’s Wood. It is also known as Violetwood, Bois de Violette, Violetta, and Brazilian kingwood around the world. Like Tulipwood, it is within the Dalbergia genus, known as Dalbergia Cearensis Ducke. The wood is generally purple-brown with narrow black or dark brown stripes. Due to the small size of the tree and its general rarity, it was almost used as crossbanding and often in conjunction with tulipwood to which it is closely related. This makes whole Kingwood furniture very rare, as it would have been reserved for extremely wealthy consumers. It is also associated with a neoclassical furniture style, popular amongst British aristocratic circles in the 19th century, From the 16th century to the early 19th century, Brazil was a Portuguese colony. Therefore, much of the wood that came to Britain from Brazil was imported through Lisbon, however British smuggling of woods and other materials was commonplace. Britain officially had no direct trade until the 19th century. Supplies of kingwood therefore came to Britain by circuitous routes, mainly from Portugal and France who has colonies in South America. Wood may also have come from ports in Amsterdam and possibly imported as veneer, not solid. Opening of direct trade with Brazil in 1808, kingwood became, if not plentiful, less scarce.