A dynamic topaz cabochon and paste collar, KJL (Kenneth Jay Lane), 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Weight:358 g
- Dimensions:Height: 0.5 in (12.7 mm)Depth: 5.25 in (133.35 mm)Length: 15.5 in (393.7 mm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:late1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The paste is not 'brilliant' white, but a softer, antiqued colouring. The 'depth' measurement is the calculation of the distance from the inside to the outside of the necklace - it measures 2 inches at back graduating forward to 5.25 inches at front.
- Seller Location:Greyabbey, GB
- Reference Number:
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: Greyabbey, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- A very impressive poured glass and gilt 'festoon' pendant necklace, WW CollectionBy WW CollectionLocated in Greyabbey, County DownA beautiful and fully articulated poured glass and gilt multi drop necklace, from the WW collection, a contemporary limited edition, hand made in Paris. The strikingly sophisticated...Category
Early 2000s French Drop Necklaces
MaterialsGilt Metal
- A dynamic talousel, glass bead and coloured mirror drop necklace, France, 1960sLocated in Greyabbey, County DownA striking and dynamic glass bead necklace, mixed with pieces of coloured mirror, set in resin (talousel), with assorted pendant drops of varying shape...Category
Vintage 1960s French Drop Necklaces
MaterialsBase Metal
- Vibrant purple cut glass 'bib' necklace, att. Lanvin, France, 1920sBy Lanvin ParisLocated in Greyabbey, County DownA very rare and wonderful necklace, set in a soft gilt metal, with amethyst glass faceted cabuchons set all over, interspersed with square cut large cabuchons, placed at intervals th...Category
Vintage 1920s French Drop Necklaces
MaterialsGilt Metal
- A very very long chrome and carved Galalith lariatt/sautoir, Jakob Bengel, 1930sBy Jakob BengelLocated in Greyabbey, County DownAn elegant and stylish Art Deco necklace designed and made by Jakob Bengel, with red and black carved Galalith terminals, two colours so characteristic of the Art Deco movement. The ...Category
Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Drop Necklaces
MaterialsBase Metal
- A striking three row glass square 'charm' necklace, 1930s.Located in Greyabbey, County DownUnsigned - but utterly striking, and pleasurable - a necklace of brass chains with brass 'cushion' charms suspended, each 'charm' embellished with a coloured square of glass, both opaque and clear, in an assortment of hues.This dramatic piece has an unusual but very secure closure, similar to a Victorian watch...Category
Vintage 1940s Unknown Drop Necklaces
MaterialsBrass
- Vibrant cerise cut glass and paste drop necklace, att. Lanvin, France, 1920sBy Lanvin ParisLocated in Greyabbey, County DownA very rare and ravishing necklace, set in a soft gilt metal, with the most vibrant and extraordinary cerise glass faceted round cabuchons, ovoid cut glass plaques and round cut glas...Category
Vintage 1920s French Drop Necklaces
MaterialsBase Metal
- AGL Certified Colombian Emerald & Diamond Necklace & Earring Suite In PlatinumLocated in New York, NYrewrite following AGL certified Pear Shape Colombian Emerald & Diamond Necklace & Earring Bridal Suite Platinum Color: Deep Green, Transparent extreme Fine Color Quality ( Natural emeralds are commonly enhanced: but this one is only Minor clarity enhancement , which is considered as very high quality) A magnificent emerald and diamond fringe necklace, Vivid green emeralds spaced with brilliant-cut diamonds, suspending 14 fine Colombian emeralds set in diamond...Category
20th Century Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Platinum
- Diamond and Platinum Cluster Wreath NecklaceLocated in New York, NYThis Harry Winston style diamond cluster wreath necklace with flower drop features 125.8 carats of F-G VS diamonds set in platinum. The 125.8 carats of diamonds are comprised of 72.2...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Gumuchian Platinum & Diamond 15.55Ct. Cascade Necklace with .94Ct. Pear DiamondBy GumuchianLocated in New York, NYGumuchian is a family business run by a mother with her two daughters. They are carrying the family legacy in the jewelry industry that dates back over 100 years. Their motto is "Des...Category
2010s American Modern Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- 18 Karat White Gold, 37.93 Carat Blue Sapphire and 13.89 Carat Diamond NecklaceLocated in New York, NY37.93 carats of oval and pear shape sapphires are framed with 12.89 carats of round brilliants in this show-stopping important necklace. Set in 18-k...Category
2010s Contemporary Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Imperial White Jadeite Cabochon and Diamond NecklaceLocated in Macau, MOThis Magnificent Necklace is composed of eight pieces of high quality translucent white jadeite cabochon and nine pieces of small imperial gr...Category
2010s Asian Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Jade, 18k Gold
- Vintage 60 Carat Diamond Floral Necklace PlatinumLocated in BEVERLY HILLS, CAImportant exquisite grand diamond floral necklace platinum, high jewelry circa 1950's. 354 total diamonds, approximately 60 carats total. 146 r...Category
Vintage 1950s Unknown Edwardian Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum