Description
Amazing Napier Sterling Mid Century Modern period and style bracelet. An amazing work of wearable art from the 40's or 50's. This piece rivals and of the high
end silver from the period in both quality and design, the only difference is
it's much rarer than say a Pineda, Spratling, or Jensen bracelet of the period
as they were produced in larger quantities from my experience. This is entirely
handmade, each piece is hand hammered on the sides, screams quality from every
direction. 8" long x 1" wide x 59.3 grams, fully functional springed clasp, no
damage or significant wear.
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.
Timeline
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.
Jewelry designs
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. 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. 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, and the Napier Company gifted the contestants of the 1955 Miss
America Pageant with fashion jewelry.
Historical silver designs
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). 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.
