Kenneth Jay Lane Early Twisted Gold Crest
About the Item
Excellent condition.
3 x 3"
Signed: K.J.L
- Creator:
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:1960-1969
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU10091346483
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Charming Enamel and Seed Pearl Malard BroochLocated in New York, NYCharming Enamel and Seed Pearl Malard Brooch from the late 19th Century. Beautifully detailed with enamel and seed pearls. Wonderfully realistic foliage with cat tails. Central belly...Category
Antique 1890s Hungarian Victorian Brooches
MaterialsPearl, Sterling Silver, Enamel
- Mexican Sterling Gazelle BroochLocated in New York, NYQuality Mexican Sterling Gazelle Brooch from the 1940's. Unknown maker of high quality with Deco overtones. Most Mexican jewelry of the period is hol...Category
Vintage 1940s Mexican Art Deco Brooches
MaterialsSterling Silver
- 1930s Bakelite "Goofy" Cat BroochLocated in New York, NYCharming cartoon cat brooch from the the 1930s of stained and painted cream bakelite. Bakelite jewelry from the era is hand carved and unique.
...CategoryEarly 20th Century American Art Deco Brooches
- Marcel Boucher Jean Fouquet Inspired Clip BroochBy Marcel BoucherLocated in New York, NYMarcel Boucher Jean Fouquet inspired clip brooch. Of 14 kt gold plate and rhodium base metal, crystal pave and calibre invisibly set faux sapphires. 1930...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Brooches
MaterialsGold Plate, Rhodium, Base Metal
- Found Object Assemblage Brooch, Studio VLBy Leslie Chin x Studio VLLocated in New York, NYUnusual Found Assemblage Object Brooch by Studio VL from the 1980's. Composed of an antique sterling sugar tong set with a hand bezeled faux aqua stone. 4" ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Amazing Art Deco Paste BroochLocated in New York, NYMassive and Amazing Art Deco Paste Brooch, super dimensional, the finest of its kind from this period. Wonderful quality, hand made and set in sterling silver with faux emeralds and diamonds...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Brooches
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Renaissance Portrait Cameo of Emperor Vespasian in a Gold BroochLocated in Chicago, ILPortrait Cameo of Emperor Vespasian in a Gold Brooch Agate, gold Italy?, 16th century Weight 10.2 gr.; Dimensions 48.7 × 39 mm. Description: Three-layered agate cameo (black-white-...Category
Antique 16th Century Italian Brooches
MaterialsAgate, Gold
- Pair of Lea Stein Mandarin Brooch Pins Estate JewelryBy Lea SteinLocated in Los Angeles, CALea Stein vintage Art Deco style a pair of Mandarin brooch pins These are very RARE. Beautiful color way in purple, blue and cream V shaped heat mounted pin, SIGNED - Lea Stein PARIS...Category
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Brooches
- Diamond Enamel Gold Baby Shoe Charm Safety Pin BroochLocated in New York, NY18k gold safety pin brooch, with 3 baby shoes suspended. All set with a total of approx. 0.70ctw in diamonds and red/pink gemstones. Each shoe meas...Category
20th Century Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, Enamel
- 7.50 Carat VVS Diamond and Colombian Emerald PinLocated in Miami, FLExquisite in its elegance, this 14K white gold ring features a remarkable 2-carat emerald cut Colombian emerald, showcasing its vivid green hue and intense fire. Surrounding the emer...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Deco Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
- 18k White Gold VINTAGE. DIAMOND AND EMERALD PINLocated in Miami, FLCrafted in elegant 18K white gold, this antique pin showcases a round Colombian emerald, radiating its natural allure. Adorned with all-white diamonds of VS clarity and F color, this piece exudes sophistication and charm. With its timeless design and European flair, it's a captivating accessory for any discerning jewelry lover. Key Features: 18K White Gold, 100% natural earth mined round Colombian Emerald. All white diamonds. VS clarity and F color. Antique gold and emerald pin...Category
2010s European Edwardian Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Antique European 3.70 Ct Diamond and Ruby Pin. (GIA)Located in Miami, FLCrafted in 14k yellow gold, this stunning vintage piece features 1.70 carats of Old European cut diamonds with G color and SI clarity, complemented by a 2.00 carat round-cut Burma ruby, showcasing a deep red hue. With a total carat weight of 3.70 carats, this exquisite creation evokes the elegance of vintage Italian jewelry...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold