#Inventor #Sahatiel #Mandalian #Mandalian #Brand #Mesh #Bags #History #Patents
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1869 – 1949
The owner of Mandalian Mfg. Co. was a Turkish man named Sahatiel Garabed Mandalian. Mandalian was a prolific inventor with many patented designs registered to him. He emigrated from Turkey to the United States of America in 1898. In 1906 Mandalian entered into partnership with Eugene A. Hawkins. At this time the firm was known as Mandalian & Hawkins. On November 7 1912 the partners applied to register patent no.1087941. This application referred to the design of a machine for making coat of mail fabric. The inventor was George Gos. All three men are listed as residing in North Attleboro in the county of Bristol, Massachusetts.
Gos refers to his invention as follows:
To all whom it may concern. Be it known that I, George Gos, citizen of the United States, residing at North Attleboro, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful improvements in machines, for making coat-of-mail fabric, of which the following is a specification.
My invention relates to a machine for automatically making a coat of mail or fish scale fabric of common use in the arts which has heretofore generally been constructed by hand. This fabric consists of a series of substantially rectangular plates arranged in parallel and transverse rows and engaging horizontal and transverse rows of rings.
Each plate is provided with four inwardly converging folded arms, each arm passing through an adjacent ring, so that each ring has four arms engaged therewith. My machine automatically bends the plates or original blanks so that the arms thereof are folded into engagement with the rings, which are also automatically supplied to the plates at the proper time.
The automation of the mesh making process ensured that products could be manufactured with much greater speed and also at a reduced cost.
Mandalian’s Turkish origins can be seen expressed in many of the designs which grace the elegant bags and purses which his firm crafted.
On May 24 1915 Mandalian filed a patent to register a new design of bag top and frame. The assignor was a British subject, J.W. Jennings, who was at the time resident in Providence in the state of Rhode Island. The invention related to a bag top which can be folded.
PATENT 1162927
PATENT 1162927
In 1915 Mandalian incorporated his business, which was now known as the Mandalian Mfg. Co. This firm was one of the major manufacturers of mesh purses.
Sahatiel Mandalian registered a patent for a tap dancing shoe. His design was patented on May 14 1940.
SAHATIEL MANDALIAN PATENT FOR BAG FRAME TOP
PATENT 1397874
The patent documented above describes the process of attaching ornamental strips of metal to the part of the bag frame described as the jaws. These designs were stamped on to the metal.
As you can see Sahatiel Mandalian achieved his stated aims.
The signed Mandalian bag shown above has maintained its vibrant colours well into the next century and the frame is splendidly ornate.
Mandalian also invented machines which relate to the making of accessories from metal mesh.
MANDALIAN PATENTED SUSPENSION SLEEVE FOR MESH MACHINES
Mandalian enamel mesh purses are noted for the vibrancy of their colours even after one hundred years have elapsed since their manufacture.
MANDALIAN BAG WITH VIBRANT ENAMEL
On Aug. 14, 1923 Sahatiel Mandalian’s patent application for ornamental rope was granted.
He stated –
To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I, SAHATIEL G. MANDALIAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at North Attleboro, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Ornamental Rope, of which the following is a specification;
My invention relates to a rope adapted for use in bracelets, necklaces, handles for bags, and other useful structures wherein a rope forms a constituent part or is employed as a binding agent, or otherwise.
The essential objects of my invention are to insure a maximum of strength and durability combined with flexibility, pliability, lightness, and softness; imperviousness to wear or injury; and capacity for ornamental effects. Other objects and advantages will be disclosed by an inspection of the following specification.
To the above ends essentially my invention consists in such parts and in such combinations of parts as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
My rope comprises a flexible metallic sheath or armor 10 capable of resisting external blows, and of imparting great resistance to longitudinal or other tensile strain. The sheath consists of a flexible metal fabric having interstices 11 which permit visibility, to a limited extent, of the color or the material enclosed by the sheath.
The preferred form of mesh fabric, which is shown in Figures 1 and 5, is a scale mesh, formed by parallel rows of rings 13, each four adjacent rings being interlocked with a flat link or plate 151 of cruciform shape by four corner prongs 15 converging in the rear of the plate.
Figure 1 on the patent drawing below shows the metal exterior of the ornamental rope.
PATENT DRAWINGS FOR THE MANDALIAN GIRDLE
On November 20 1923 the firm patented a girdle, a type of undergarment commonly worn by women in this era.
In his original claim Mandalian states:
It will be noted that the flexible metallic-sheath forms a protective armor for the girdle and …… a maximum of strength thereto, while the relatively soft core so counteracts the effects of the sheath as to give the wearer the feeling of softness and the weight upon the hips is rendered light.
As well as making accessories, bags and vanities Sahatiel Mandalian also made household objects crafted from metal mesh.
Here are the patent drawings and patent information relating to a lamp shade. Mandalian wanted to create a lampshade which had grace and beauty of appearance.
PATENT NO. 1468865 MANDALIAN LAMPSHADE
It is known that makers of this era had found difficulty in applying enamel decorations to the mesh and that they needed to find a solution which would provide a highly durable and beautiful finish.
ANTIQUE LUSTRO-PEARL MANDALIAN BAG
Mandalian stated the following in his original claims for his patent no. 1546346
It is sought to apply enamel to this fabric, but in order to attain the results hereinabove referred to I have ascertained that it is necessary to impart a dark finish to the fabric prior to the application of the enamel.
This preliminary step of darkening the metal will be effected in various ways, such for instance as dipping the fabric in sodium sulfide solution.
After the darkening step, the enamel of any desired ornamental color is applied to the face of the mesh fabric in a convenient manner. That is to say the enamel in liquid state may be applied to the front face of the fabric and then baked thereon.
In Figure 2 the body of a link (5) is indicated by 7, and the enamel coating thereon by 8. In Figure 3 the body of the link is indicated by 9 and the enamel by 10.
To physically apply the enamel to the fine and flexible fabric is very difficult, and necessarily certain parts of the fabric, such as portions of the ring links (4) do not receive their intended share of enamel. This defect, however, is not apparent because of the darkened condition of the metal stock, and it is thus possible to produce a commercial article, and with speed as well as at small expense.
See the patent drawing below
Mandalian’s great attention to detail meant that not only did the mesh bags look beautiful they must also function in a manner which displayed their beauty at all times.
His next patent was to guarantee the desired shape of the bag was maintained whether it was full or empty, being used or resting on a surface.
On March 23 1926 he applied to patent a bag which was constructed in such a manner that it would hold its shape.
Mandalian stated in his claims that:-
My invention relates to bags including smaller bags sometimes called purses, composed substantially of flexible metallic material such as “mesh,” and of the type carried by ladies, regardless of whether the bag be provided with a frame closure, or with a draw chain or string for its mouth; and regardless of whether or not the bag is supported by a suspension chain.
Bags constructed of mesh or link fabric in normal condition assume the appearance of a shapeless mass when resting upon an object or not in use, because of the jointed or hinged connection of the constituent links or elements. The essential objects of my invention is to maintain the flexible body of the bag against complete collapse and preserve the original shape of the bag so far as possible against collapse; and to effect this end in a structure adapted both to accommodate itself to contents enclosed by the bag, and to disguise the distention….
Many collectors consider the enamelling on Mandalian bags as superior to other makes. Some collectors state that connecting ‘spiders’ are stronger & thicker than the other brands of this time which means they are more sound & less likely to break.
MANDALIAN TICKET
The ticket above refers to the Mandalian New Process Hand Bag which was adorned with enamel using a process to ensure that the enamel was highly durable. Two patent numbers are shown on the ticket. Patent number 1539855 relates to the ornamenting coat applied to the mesh.
This process was patented on June 2, 1925.
1539855 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.
SAHATIEL G. MANDALIAN, OF NORTH ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS.
METHOD OF ORNAMENTING COAT OF MAIL METALLIC MESH FABRIC.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
Let it be known that I (SAHATIEL G. MANDALIAN) a citizen of The United States, residing at North Attleboro, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful improvements in methods of ornamenting, Coat of-Mail Mesh Fabric, of which the following is a specification.
My invention relates to a method of applying enamel to the surface of a flexible fish scale or coat of mail metallic fabric employed in mesh bags and other ornamental articles of utility.
The essential objects of the invention are to apply liquid enamel to a fabric or the above character, and in such a manner as to impart thereto a mottled ornamental appearance; as well to inspire a permanency of such appearance.
1931 ADVERTISEMENT FOR LUSTRO PEARL MANDALIAN BAGS
More antique purses, bags and minauidere.
We have included closeups of bags shown on the advertisement above so that the names and product numbers can be seen.
LEFT & RIGHT GLORIA BAGS MIDDLE ROMAN FINISH BABY MESH
LEFT & MIDDLE SILVER TOP MEDIUM FINE MESH RIGHT ROMAN FINISH
So far we have not managed to find the patent for the Mandalian Essence of Pearl solution.
As well as producing the most exquisitely beautiful and soundly decorated mesh purses Mandalian also invented technical equipment.
On December 13 1932 Mandalian’s patent application for a Sound Transmitting And Light Reflecting Screen was successful.
The image and document shown above relate to Mandalian’s invention of a receptacle / powder bowl which he described in the patent application as follows:
RECEPTACLE
Sahatiel G. Mandalian, North Attleboro, Mass.
Application August 22, 1935, Serial No. 37,326 7 Claims.
My invention relates to receptacles and to the component parts of receptacles of the metallic-mesh pouch type adapted to accommodate compacts, cosmetics, or other toilet articles.
In articles of the mesh pouch type difficulty has been encountered in satisfactorily securing the mesh fabric to the clamping ring constituting the rim of the receptacle.
It was sought to effect this end by employing a clamping ring with a narrow upper downwardly curled flange, and a broad inwardly projecting lower flange that resulted in unduly restricting the capacity of the resulting receptacle by a retracted neck portion.
The receptacle was fitted at the top of the purse. The owner would carry her makeup in it and so the cosmetics would be separated from the rest of the contents of the bag.
Fig. 4 shows a side elevation.
Mandalian’s tap dancing shoe is shown below.
What a remarkable inventor!
In 1944 the Mandalian Manufacturing Co. was sold to Whiting & Davis.
Sahatiel Mandalian died in 1949, aged 79 years.
A complete history of Whiting & Davis
Sources:
Espace
Kovels
myheritage.com
