Next year (2015) will mark 125 years since Napier moved its costume jewelry & accessories company to Meriden, CT, and I have been immersed in Napier since the recent publication of Melinda Lewis’ iconic book, “The Napier Company: Defining 20th Century American Costume Jewelry” (Fall 2013). My online shop collection has now grown to 45 pieces of this company’s vintage beauties, the largest and longest standing costume jewelry producer in U.S. history. From the Art Deco period to the chunky and bold 1980’s, Napier dominated the jewelry counters of most fine department stores, from Filene’s to Macy’s to Bloomingdale’s. Not to mention, who doesn’t remember their silver plated wares, such as the piggy bank (popular baby shower gift), the chic sterling diaper pins (engravable for silver-spooned tykes), or their barware (jiggers, cocktail shakers, etc.)? …Which are now making a comeback, thanks to retro-homage TV shows like AMC’s Mad Men.
Napier developed many of the classic styles that became staples for the American woman’s working and cocktail party wardrobe, from the Gucci-link designs to their infamous and best-ever made charm bracelets from the 1950’s-60’s. Feast your eyes on a fashion timeline that might recall your mother’s or grandmother’s favorites!
Napier 1950’s moonglow fruit charm bracelet
Napier 1968 Eugene Bertolli design set
Napier 1940’s sterling silver swirl bracelet
Napier 1950’s over-the-ear chatelaine earrings
Napier 1955 flexible gauntlet bracelet
Napier “Gucci” link anchor bracelet
Napier 1950’s Bell Chime earrings
