Early K.J.L. Necklace
View Similar Items
Early K.J.L. Necklace
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Dimensions:Height: 3.5 in (88.9 mm)Length: 30.75 in (781.05 mm)
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Age appropriate wear, bottom right pearl on pendant metal point is bent up.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU140217377119
Kenneth Jay Lane
The father of so-called “fabulous fakes,” Kenneth Jay Lane was a spirited innovator within the jewelry industry, designing elegant and luxurious pieces without the use of real jewels. And while Lane aspired to create classic designs for earrings, bracelets and necklaces intended for everyday wear, his pieces caught the attention of celebrities, royalty and socialites.
From a young age, the Detroit, Michigan-born Lane was a lover of fashion. He studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and the University of Michigan. He pursued a design career in New York City, and a failed start in the art department of Vogue magazine led to a decade of designing shoes for the likes of Delman and Christian Dior.
Lane would occasionally develop shoe designs for friends he had in the fashion world such as Bill Blass and Arnold Scaasi. A show for the latter afforded him the opportunity to beautify shoes with rhinestones and create bangles and earrings to pair with the footwear — he found plastic bracelets at discount variety store and had them embellished by craftspeople at a shoe factory.
A love for costume jewelry design emerged thereafter. Lane created his own collection and admirers such as Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor showered him with praise. A pearl necklace he designed was worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In the early 1960s, ready-to-wear pioneer Hattie Carnegie purchased Lane’s jewelry line. Lane was given the position of design director for Carnegie but he soon changed course, moving instead into a small studio and pursuing his own path.
Lane worked with milk glass, gilded silver hardware, faux coral and other materials, and sold pendant necklaces, dangle earrings and modern bracelets to private customers. He was fond of renowned fine jewelry houses Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels and designers such as Jean Schlumberger, and cited having found inspiration in Egyptian and Indian jewelry over the years as well as Art Deco jewelry. Lane’s designs, which he called “faque” and “junque,” became well-known for their distinctive color combinations and clever characteristics such as embroidery. By the time he purchased a small jewelry factory in Providence, Rhode Island, where his accessories would be made during the 1960s, Lane had secured relationships with top Manhattan boutiques and his work had caught the attention of fashion magazines.
Directed by the filmmaker Gisèle Roman, a 2018 documentary about Lane’s life and work called Fabulously Fake: The Real Life of Kenneth Jay Lane features interviews with legendary fashion designers Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch and Diane von Furstenberg.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Kenneth Jay Lane brooches, rings and other accessories.
- A Vintage Graphic Cadoro CollarBy CadoroLocated in New York, NYA Stunning Vintage Cadoro collar necklace, the coiled gilt metal design is a boldly graphic bit of runway chic, in pristine condition, with original pap...Category
Vintage 1960s American Choker Necklaces
- Fabulous 20's French Deco Pate de Verre NecklaceLocated in New York, NYRare and Unusual French Deco Pate de Verre Necklace circa 1920's with glass floral roses of lampworked glass beads mixed with crystal rondelles,...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
- Stunning Victorian Revival Festoon NecklaceLocated in New York, NYA Truly Spectacular Victorian Revival Festoon Necklace with textured gilt brass links and turquoise art glass drops. Largest drop is 04.90 long.Category
Vintage 1930s American Drop Necklaces
- Deco Chunky Bakelite NecklaceLocated in New York, NYFabulous Vintage bakelite piece in a yellow amber color on a topaz bakelite chain. Great movement when you wear this incredible design of multi facete...Category
Vintage 1940s American Drop Necklaces
- William De Lillo Bakelite Pendant on Snake ChainBy William De LilloLocated in New York, NYFun Retro William De Lillo Gold Butterscotch Bakelite Pendant on a gilt metal snake chain. Great scale and a fun piece to wear! Signed deLillo. Pendant is 2.25" high.Category
Vintage 1960s American Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Hattie Carnegie Necklace & Earrings in Gilt Metal with CrystalsBy Hattie CarnegieLocated in New York, NYStunning and Rare is this Vintage Hattie Carnegie Demi Parure. Beautiful gold gilt metal and sparkling crystals make up this extraordinarily well designed necklace and matching earr...Category
Vintage 1960s American Drop Necklaces
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Pate de Verre Collection Rose NecklaceLocated in Virginia Beach, VAOpaque poured glass rose pendant with green leaves on a glass pearl strand from Pate de Verre Collection. Created by independent french artisans using the same techniques as pieces...Category
2010s French Choker Necklaces
- Emilio Jewelry Gia Certified 69.00 Carat Fancy Diamond NecklaceBy Emilio!Located in New York, NYFrom the vault at Emilio Jewelry located on New York's iconic Fifth Avenue, Featuring large diamonds starting at 3.00 Carats and slowly graduating smaller. All of the diamonds are Gi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Diamond
- 57.52 Carat Emerald Rose Cut Diamond Pearl Maharaja NecklaceBy Meghna JewelsLocated in Hoffman Estate, ILThe Maharaja collection inspired by the Moghul Era & Indian heritage. A stunning necklace handmade in 14K gold and sterling silver. It is set in 57.52 carats emerald, 104.62 carats p...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
- 11 Diamond, 1.70 Carat Total Weigh Drop NecklaceLocated in Beverly Hills, CA18 karat white gold diamond drop necklace. This necklace has 11 round brilliant white diamonds weighing a total of 1.70 carats. Each diamond is bezel set and has movement. The neckla...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- 9.47 Carat Diamond Onyx Abstract Statement NecklaceBy Meghna JewelsLocated in Hoffman Estate, ILThis stunning statement necklace is crafted in 18-karat gold and sterling silver. It is hand set in 9.47 carats of sparkling diamonds and 1.0 carats black onyx. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWE...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Onyx, Sterling Silver, Gold, 18k Gold
- Diamond Curved V Bar Necklace .30 Carats in 14 Karat Yellow Gold StationaryBy Five Star JewelryLocated in Austin, TXThis gorgeous 14 karat gold curved V bar style necklace dripping with glamorous white diamonds is flattering on any neck! This necklace is very versatile, and can be dressed up or dr...Category
2010s American Modern Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,000 / itemFree Shipping