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Importance of Patent Numbers on Jewelry

A wealth of information is available to us if we find a patent number on a keepsake. A case in point is this striking Victorian Revival bangle. It is marked on the inner surface, “Pat.1933576”, and hallmarked with a W inside an inverted triangle. There are many sources on the web for patent number information. In this case, the patent number was registered in the USA, November 7, 1933 by Edward L. Weed, a well-known jewelry designer, for J.J. White Manufacturing Co., Providence, Rhode Island. The entire abstract for this patent is available on line. It describes in detail, with illustrations, the manufacturing innovations requiring this patent, their cost-saving aspects, and a thorough summary of construction. So, we have a date, country of origin, designer and manufacturer. We have even learned how this bracelet was made and the philosophy behind its construction. Not bad!

The above bangle is a close copy of a Victorian buckle bracelet from the 1870s, composed of gilt brass with talle d’epergne black enamel-filled decoration. Fortunately, the patent number provides the real date for this piece. 

Victorian Revival jewelry is a wonderful collector’s opportunity. The greatest Victorian Revival period is the 1930s and early 1940s. Subsequent Revivals occurred in the 1950s and 1970s. Prices are more moderate than for antique jewelry. Many pieces are sized larger than their Victorian counterparts, and therefore are more wearable. (D.H.)