Iconic 1960's Kenneth Jay Lane Gold Coral Lion Pin
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 2.5 in (63.5 mm)Length: 2.75 in (69.85 mm)
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:1960-1969
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:West Hollywood, CA
- 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: West Hollywood, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- New Chanel In Box Lucite Television PinBy ChanelLocated in West Hollywood, CAChanel round television lucite pin. Collection spring 2017. Brand new in original box with ribbon.Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Brooches
- Chanel 2 Tone Pearl CC Logo BroochBy ChanelLocated in West Hollywood, CAChanel Pin with 2 tone faux pearl detail in CC Logo from Spring 2017. Comes with velvet pouch.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
- Chanel Crystal Crest Shield BroochBy ChanelLocated in West Hollywood, CAChanel Crystal Crest Shield brooch from Collection 2016. Can be used as an accent piece with a multi strand pearl necklace. Comes with velvet pouch .Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
- Chanel Nautical Pearl Light Gold BroochBy ChanelLocated in West Hollywood, CAThe Chanel Brooch in the shape of a marine buoy in gold metal and resin with CC logo. Collection 2021. Comes with velvet pouch.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Chanel Yellow Gripoix Logo PinBy ChanelLocated in West Hollywood, CAChanel Pin with Yellow gripoix in form of the CC logo. In excellent condition.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Brooches
MaterialsBase Metal
- Chanel Vintage Camellia Pin Black 1985By ChanelLocated in West Hollywood, CAChanel vintage pin from 1985 in form of a classic Chanel camellia. In excellent condition.Category
Vintage 1980s Brooches
- 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
- 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
- 21K, Burma Ruby & VS/F Diamond Peacock Pin. (GIA)Located in Miami, FLMade from 21kt yellow gold, this exquisite peacock pin features a stunning 13.50ct Burma Ruby as its centerpiece, boasting a vibrant red hue and oval shape. Surrounding the ruby are ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Medieval Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold