The Napier Company is an American jewelry manufacturing company, and was one of the first modern corporations in the United States. The company is also known historically as a cutting-edge silver object manufacturer. [1]
The Napier Company is an American jewelry manufacturing company, and was one of the first modern corporations in the United States. The company is also known historically as a cutting-edge silver object manufacturer. [1]
The Napier Company got its start in North Attleboro, Massachusetts 1878, under the name of The E. A. Bliss Co., manufacturing gilt men's watch chains. In 1882, the company became incorporated as The E. A. Bliss Company with the word "The" as part of its legal name. The company relocated to Meriden, Connecticut in 1890, after the company sustained rapid growth in the previous decade. During World War I (and again in World War II), they ceased production of jewelry, and instead focused on producing war-related items, such as medallions and medals. James H. Napier became president of the company in 1920, and the company was renamed, The Napier-Bliss Co. In 1922, the company again changed its name to The Napier Co.[ citation needed ]
The company was known for its ability to be on the forefront of fashion and design and had a history of sending its designers to Europe. In 1925, James Napier attended the World's Fair Exposition Internationale des Artes Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, and brought back with him business ideas, including designs influenced by Parisian and European fashion. Mr. Napier himself, did not design jewelry. James Napier work for the company from 1914 to his death in 1960. From 1920 to 1960 he served as president. In 1999, the company was bought by Victoria & Company. The plant in Meriden, Connecticut was closed by Victoria & Company on October 15, 1999. However, under the umbrella of Jones Apparel Group, Napier jewelry is still being manufactured and distributed.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Napier designed necklaces, bracelets and earrings in a range of styles including, designs featuring Egyptian motifs, such as cobras, Victorian Revival designs and Deco-style motifs. The company produced very little jewelry during the 1930s, focusing on its giftware lines. In the 1940s, most of the jewelry produced was sterling silver tailored pieces. In the 1950s, it produced jewelry in a wide range of styles. [2] Napier jewelry is notable for its simple, modern, geometric and floral designs. However, the company also produce boutique and high-end jewelry. Some of the metalwork bears resemblance to Mexican and Scandinavian designs. [3] The fan jewelry collection was introduced as a 10-year fundraising commitment in 1955. In the 1950s, the Napier Company presented First Lady Mamie Eisenhower with a bracelet bearing an elephant design, which was reputedly one of her favorite pieces of jewelry, and which she wore often, [4] and the Napier Company gifted the contestants of the 1955 Miss America Pageant with fashion jewelry.
Napier silver designs from the first half of the 20th century are in museum collections including the Brooklyn Museum, Newark Museum and a substantial collection at the Dallas Museum of Art. Over the years, Napier silver has been featured in museum exhibitions, including Modernism in American Silver: 20th Century Design at the Smithsonian in Washington, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Wolfsonian in Miami Beach, the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno, and the Dixon Gallery and Gardens in Memphis, TN (2005–07). Napier designs have also been included in two shows at the Brooklyn Museum, entitled 19th century Modern (2011–12; 2013–15). [5] In November 2016-November 2017, the iconic Napier penguin cocktail shaker is the lead design of a Dallas Museum of Art exhibition Shaken, stirred, styled: The art of the cocktail. [6]
From 1922 through the 2000s, the Napier trademark in block was used. The trademark in its script form was introduced in 1965 and was used both singly or in conjunction with the block letter Napier trademark. How the trademark appeared on a piece, stamped, embossed, or on a plaque, was based on the design of the piece.
Costume or fashion jewelry includes a range of decorative items worn for personal adornment that are manufactured as less expensive ornamentation to complement a particular fashionable outfit or garment as opposed to "real" (fine) jewelry, which is more costly and which may be regarded primarily as collectibles, keepsakes, or investments. From the outset, costume jewelry — also known as fashion jewelry — paralleled the styles of its more precious fine counterparts.
Jewellery consists of decorative items worn for personal adornment such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, pendants, bracelets, and cufflinks. Jewellery may be attached to the body or the clothes. From a western perspective, the term is restricted to durable ornaments, excluding flowers for example. For many centuries metal such as gold often combined with gemstones, has been the normal material for jewellery, but other materials such as glass, shells and other plant materials may be used.
Meriden is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, located halfway between the regional cities of New Haven and Hartford. The city is part of the South Central Connecticut Planning Region. In 2020, the population of the city was 60,850.
Gottlieb Eliel Saarinen was a Finnish and American architect known for his work with Art Nouveau buildings in the early years of the 20th century. He was also the father of famed architect Eero Saarinen.
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A cocktail dress is a dress suitable at semi-formal occasions, sometimes called cocktail parties, usually in the late afternoon, and usually with accessories.
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Lurelle Van Arsdale Guild (1898–1985) was an architect, industrial designer, and interior designer. Born in Syracuse, New York, Guild studied painting at Syracuse University, graduating in 1920. He initially worked as an illustrator and writer before founding Lurelle Guild Associates in 1928. In 1944, Guild became a founding member of the Society of Industrial Designers in New York.
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Ted Noten is a Dutch conceptual artist. He is especially known for his Turbo Princess pendant featuring a mouse wearing a small pearl necklace, and his solid acrylic handbags and suitcases containing guns. A broad spectrum of galleries and museum collections all over the world represent his oeuvre. Since 2005, his design company Atelier Ted Noten, or ATN, has extended its jewellery creations towards (interior) design projects, installations and commissions for both private collectors, cultural organisations and art institutions.
Francesca Amfitheatrof is an American jewelry designer. She is the artistic director for watches and jewelry at Louis Vuitton. Before that, she was the design director at Tiffany & Co.
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The Meriden Britannia Company was formed in 1852 in Meriden, Connecticut, as a manufacturing company focused on producing wares in britannia metal. It became, for a time, the largest silverware company in the world.
The Charles Parker Company was formed in Meriden, Connecticut by Charles Parker, and over the years manufactured products including metalware, Art Brass, hardware, lamps, spectacles, and piano stools. Also related to the company were others founded by Charles Parker: including Parker Brothers, Meriden Curtain Fixture Co., and Parker & Whipple Co. clock manufacturers.
R. Wallace & Sons was formed in Wallingford, Connecticut, and incorporated in 1879. As of 1893, this company manufactured silver and plated ware and cutlery and had about 600 employees.
In 1872, the Derby Silver Company began production in Derby, CT. Over the years, the company made bathroom-related items, clocks, tableware and flatware, tea sets, candlesticks, fruit baskets, dishes, and more object types made of silver and silver plate. The Derby Silver Company operated showrooms in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. As of 1893, the President and Manager of the company was Watson J. Miller. Wesley L. Clark was the Secretary and Treasurer.
The Wilcox Silver Plate Co. was formed in Meriden, Connecticut. From 1865 to 1867, it was known as the Wilcox Brittania Co. In 1898, the company was acquired by the International Silver Company, headquartered in Meriden. After the acquisition, the Wilcox Silver Plate Co. brand continued until at least c. 1980.
Yemenite silversmithing refers to the work of Jewish silversmiths from Yemen. They were highly acclaimed craftsmen who dominated craft production in precious metals in the southern Arabian peninsula from at least the 18th through the mid-20th century, a period and region during which Muslims did not engage in this work. These Yemenite silversmiths were noted for their skilled use of fine granulation and filigree, producing ornaments such as women's bracelets, necklaces, finials, as well as elaborate scabbard sheaths for men's daggers.
Mary Ann Scherr was an American designer, metalsmith and educator. She was known for her jewellery design and industrial design, but she also worked as a graphic designer, illustrator, game designer, fashion and costume designer and silversmith.
