Vintage Thomas L Mott Charm Bracelets

by Wanda Fitzgerald
(Florida, USA)

Vintage TLM Enamel Charms

I collect Thomas L Mott charms and bracelets. I began my collection a couple of years ago after I sold a few of them from my ebay store. Oh how I wish I had those back. All of my TLM Bracelets are my favorites and I couldn't choose just one for this story. My photo includes several from my collection. I also have about 40 loose charms in a box that still need to be attached. I hope your readers enjoy viewing these.

Thomas L Mott was a British jewelry maker who formed a Company in 1875 and went on to became famous primarily for his butterfly wing brooches and pendants. A quick search on the internet will turn up lots of information about these. The charms he made are more of a mystery. I haven't found a whole lot of the details but I know he made mostly enamel travel map charms. Somewhere I read that these were sold pre-assembled on cruise ships in the 1960s. I've got one bracelet with all tropical islands and one bracelet of British islands and counties / towns. He also made some animals, birds, and sea life. I have one bracelet devoted to each type, as well as one devoted to people, and one to food.

The filigree bracelets in the picture I think are the type that were included in the pre-assembled versions. I've gotten several of these with a couple of TLM charms attached. They may not be actually made by TLM but they seem to generally be seen with his charms attached. The other bracelet that looks like a string of leaves and holds my English map charms has his actual hallmark on it.

I'm a fanatic for enamel charms but these are by far my favorite. My simple collection has evolved into a "mission" to acquire one of every Thomas L Mott charm ever made. It's a lofty goal but I can laser in when one comes up for sale on-line so I've got a pretty good start. I read that the company was bought by Shiptons LTD of London which is still in business today and still has the old TLM manufacturing equipment. I've made it one of my goals to visit London someday and find out more about Thomas L Mott charms.

You can visit Wanda's new store The Charm Cellar to see a lovely collection of vintage charm jewelry.