Kenneth Jay Lane Twisted Rope Cuff
About the Item
- Creator:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU130406461601
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.
- Attractive Lanvin Sterling and Wood Bangle WatchBy Lanvin ParisLocated in New York, NYGreat rare Lanvin bangle watch in wood and sterling silver from the 1970's. Hard bangle clamper with attractive moderne design. Watch is set into wood face which is set in sterling....Category
Vintage 1970s French Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Castlecliff Modernist Leather Trim BraceletBy CastlecliffLocated in New York, NYCastlecliff Modernist leather trimmed bracelet. Hinged bangle with one squared end and one rounded. Crosshatched silvered metal with light brown leather t...Category
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Kenneth Jay Lane Ethnic Inspired CuffBy Kenneth Jay LaneLocated in New York, NYKenneth Jay Lane Ethnic inspired patinaed gilt cuff with clamp hinged closure. Dimensional swirl design looks incredibly sculptural and modern when worn. It can be worn in different ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Kramer Bakelite Bracelet and Earring SuiteBy Kramer of New YorkLocated in New York, NYKramer Bakelite Aurora Crystal Stone Suite with clamper bracelet and clip earrings. Pale blue plastic set with purplish Aurora crystal flashed stones. F...Category
Vintage 1950s American Clamper Bracelets
- Unusual Whiting Davis Victorian Hands ClamperBy Whiting & DavisLocated in New York, NYUnusual Whiting Davis Gilt Victorian Hand Expansion Clamper from the 1980's. Signature gilt mesh made into a "rope" body with hands with ornate cuff end ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Art Deco Pave Lily Brooch, De RosaLocated in New York, NYAttractive Art Deco Pave Lily Brooch of high quality from the 1930's. Designed as a spitting lily with cabs of faux sapphires from ruby bead center. Fine pave work throughout flower ...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsRhodium
- Art Deco Style 7.10 Carat Emerald 7.40 Carat White Diamond White Gold BraceletBy Luigi FerraraLocated in Naples, ITFor any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping, please contact the seller with a private message to solve the problem. We can ship every...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Retro Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
- White gold semirigid bracelet with diamonds and turquoise sphereLocated in BARI, ITHandmade bracelet with white gold stocking link, yellow gold frame and clasp. Mounted in the center is a turquoise ball with four side rhinestones. The model is also available with a...Category
2010s Italian Modern Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
- 9k gold Bracelet in doublets (rock crystal & fiber) in pink sapphires & diamondsLocated in Milano, ITThe Optic Chic Collection bracelet is a unique piece crafted using only the finest materials. It features a 9kt gold body with white natural diamonds, doublets of Optic Fiber & Rock ...Category
2010s European Modern Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsCrystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, Pink Sapphire, 9k Gold
- 9k gold Bracelet (rock crystal & fiber doublets) peridots & diamondsLocated in Milano, ITThe Optic Chic Collection bracelet is a unique piece crafted using only the finest materials. It features a 9kt gold body with white natural diamonds, doublets of Optic Fiber & Rock ...Category
2010s European Modern Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsCrystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, Peridot, 9k Gold
- Bracciale rigido in oro giallo con diamanti e rubiniLocated in Bologna, ITQuesto è un pezzo incredibile. La sua bellezza consiste in una qualità di lavorazione unica. Il bracciale riproduce due teste di leone in maniera estremamente precisa e raffinata. Il...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Bracelet Napoléon III en or 18 carats, saphir et diamantsLocated in PARIS, FRBracelet Napoléon III en or jaune 18 carats (750 millièmes), serti d'un saphir taille coussin de 0,35 carat et ciselé de motifs de fleurs et d'étoiles agrémentés de diamant taille rose.Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold