Napier Ephemera

Napier is a brand of fashion jewelry founded in 1878 in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, as the E. A. Bliss Co. In 1922, the company changed its name to the Napier Company after then-president James H. Napier. Today, collectors still covet the Art Deco jewelry produced during the early days of the Napier brand. Shop an assortment of antique and vintage Napier jewelry on 1stDibs.

To identify Napier jewelry, seek out the brand's hallmark by checking inconspicuous areas, such as reverse sides and clasps. Every piece that Napier produced from 1915 displayed the name "NAPIER" in either block letters or script. Additional symbols and markings were used for certain collections and during specific periods. As a result, you can also compare the hallmarks on your jewelry to information shared on trusted online resources to learn more about your jewelry. For example, a copyright symbol inside a circle often indicates that a piece dates back to the 1960s or ’70s. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can also help you with the identification process. Explore a selection of Napier jewelry on 1stDibs.

Whether Napier jewelry is real or not varies. The majority of Napier jewelry consists of non-precious metals that resemble silver and gold. However, Napier did produce a small number of genuine sterling silver pieces. On 1stDibs, explore a range of Napier jewelry from some of the world's top dealers.

What Napier jewelry is made of varies. Many of the American jewelry maker's pieces are sterling silver or base metal plated with gold. A small number of Napier earrings, necklaces, bracelets and brooches are solid 14- or 18-karat gold. Explore a diverse assortment of Napier jewelry on 1stDibs.

No, most Napier necklaces are gold-plated brass. Gold-plated brass is often favored for being more budget-friendly and durable, but it is not hypoallergenic and should be avoided by those who have sensitive skin. Browse a selection of Napier jewelry on 1stDibs.