Designer marks
Napier jewelry stamp
Napier jewelry stamps include a raised plaque reading “Napier ©” on metal, with an example dating to c. 2000.
- Active years
- From 1922
- Country
- United States
- City / region
- Meriden CT
- Products
- Costume jewelry, Sterling jewelry, Bags and vanity accessories, Silver and plated giftware, Bar accessories
- Marks
- 6
Napier name from 1922; predecessor E. A. Bliss incorporated 1882 and moved to Meriden 1890. Historic factory closed 15 October 1999; later branded jewelry continued.
What to look for
- Compare the complete mark and its frame. Block NAPIER with or without © was used for decades, so the word alone gives only a broad starting point.
- Read STERLING separately from a silver-colored finish. The equal-size two-line plaque is associated with early-1950s sterling jewelry.
- NACO identifies a Napier coating. It should not be treated as a second company name.
- Inspect the jewelry and findings as well as a detachable letter tag; some N tags attributed to Napier belong to Nena.
Marks & lettering
6 marks
c. 1950–1955
NAPIER / STERLING
Two similarly sized lines on an applied plaque, without ©.
stamped applied plaque · Sterling silver
CTMark wording
Undated
CT
Meriden CT, USA
c.1922: Meriden | c.1934: Cambridge St. Meriden | c.1943: Cambridge St. Meriden | c.1950
Undated
NACO NAPIER
mark drawing · Meriden CT, United States
Drawing of NACO above NAPIER. NACO identifies a special coating rather than a separate maker.
About Napier Co.
The Napier Co. adopted that name in 1922, following a period as Napier-Bliss. Its predecessor, E. A. Bliss, made jewelry and giftware in Massachusetts and moved to Meriden, Connecticut, in 1890. James H. Napier became president and general manager in 1920. The business combined jewelry production with a broad range of personal and household accessories, rather than specializing in one kind of ornament.
During the 1920s and 1930s its output included necklaces, bracelets, earrings, buckles, mesh bags and vanity items. Die-stamped and hand-manipulated metalwork appeared alongside glass, simulated stones and other decorative materials. Sterling silver became particularly important in wartime jewelry. Later ranges included plated costume jewelry, chains, charm bracelets and coordinated accessories, with both tailored and more elaborate designs.
Napier also produced silver and plated giftware, including bar accessories and smoking accessories. Its jewelry appeared with the Fontana sisters’ fashion collections in Rome during the 1950s. The Meriden operation closed in October 1999 under Victoria & Co. ownership. The Napier name continued on later jewelry under subsequent owners. A familiar signature can therefore appear on products made after the historic Connecticut factory closed.
Also known as: Napier-Bliss · E. A. Bliss (predecessor) · The Napier Co.
Look-alikes & how to tell them apart
Nena jewelry
A particular N hangtag is often attributed to Napier. Melinda Lewis identifies it as Nena’s; compare the tag design and the full maker’s signature rather than using the initial alone.