posted 03-23-2011 12:24 PM            

Mann's work typically involves mixed metals, but individual pieces can include a wider array of media, including metal, plastic, and found objects. His designs tend to combine industrial elements (such as bolts and washers) with whimsical and romantic motifs (such as hearts, cats, and fishes). His design system is called Techno-Romantic.

His jewelry includes one-of-a-kind/limited run items (made by him or under his direct supervision), production pieces made in his studio, and a diffusion line made in China for QVC.

As expected, those made by him or under his supervision are the most intricate and visually arresting:

^a late 1980s mixed metal and found object (clock face) example

^a dated 1988 mixed metal & plastic necklace

^"Number 5" necklace, silver, brass, nickel, bronze, found objects, acrylic, 1990 (from the Museum of Arts & Design, NYC)

The production pieces have the same aesthetic but are not as complex:

^1990s mixed metal ring

posted 03-23-2011 12:24 PM            

(from their website)

Mann's trademark is a superimposed TM, as seen here:

These are the marks from the necklace in the first post. The TM mark is used on all pieces (a tinier version without "DESIGN" is used on smaller pieces). Before 1986, this mark was narrower and surmounted by a rising sun pictograph.

Items, such as the first necklace, that are made by Mann or under his direct supervision are either fully hand-engraved "Thomas Mann", as above, or stamped "MANN-MADE".

Production pieces, when possible, are hand-engraved "MANN" in all caps. The cat pin above bears this studio mark. Another studio signature, discontinued in 1992, is an engraved "T. Mann", distinct from the aforementioned full signature.

The "TECHNO-ROMANTIC" mark is used whenever space allows.