Born on Independence day of 1864 in Rhode Island, 16-year-old Charles Aaron Whiting began his career at Wade, Davis & Co, Plainville, Massachusetts. Thanks to his talent and hard work, Charles Whiting achieved rapid growth from 1889 to 1896. Having started as courier, office worker, salesman, and designer, he finally became partner and owner of the company. So, in 1886 Wade & Davis became known as Whiting & Davis.

Wade, Davis & Co jewelry manufacturers was founded in 1876 by William H. Wade (1835 – 1911), Edward Payson Davis (1838 – 1908), and Louis Heckman (went missing on December 21, 1891). Their first collection in August 1876 consisted of silver jewellery popular in the late Victorian era – bracelets, earrings, pin brooches and bar brooches.

Mr. Davis retired from the firm in July, 1907, and died the following January, 1908. According to Charles Whiting, “he was one of the old school of jewelers who could make a piece of jewelry from start to finish”.

The Home of Mesh Bags

Fascinated by the knightly era, it was Charles A. Whiting, who suggested making a mesh purse or bag, which immediately became incredibly popular. In addition, the company began to produce accessories and jewelry from mesh. After the WWII, they also produced an exquisite line of antique reproduction jewelry inspired by museum masterpieces.

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In 1963, the company collaborated with Vogue and several high-end designers. Also, with Twentieth Century Fox to promote the film “Cleopatra”, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Their famous jewelry collection “Cleopatra” included spiral snake design bracelets, earrings and Egyptian motif necklaces.

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