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.
- An Art Deco chrome and glass two row necklace, French, 1930sLocated in Greyabbey, County DownA classic Art Deco chrome and glass bead two row necklace, made from small chrome metal 'cups', fitting one inside another , to create a very fluid an...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Drop Necklaces
MaterialsBase Metal
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 18 Karat Gold and Fancy Yellow Diamonds Necklace with GIA CertificateLocated in Tel Aviv, IL18 Karat Gold and Fancy Yellow Diamonds Necklace with GIA certificate Amazing necklace, very special non-symmetric design. The necklace is set with 7.45 ct white diamonds and 28.71 ...Category
2010s French Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold
- 18 Karat White Gold Diamonds and Sapphire Necklace 'Collier'Located in Tel Aviv, IL18 Karat White Gold Diamonds and Sapphire Necklace (Collier) Stunning evening collier with round brilliant cut diamonds and m...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Sapphire, Gold, White Gold
- 32.97ct Floral Diamond NecklaceBy Ounce Collection JewelryLocated in Los Angeles, CAHandmade Floral Diamond Necklace 18K White Gold Pear Shape on Bottom is 5.01ct 32.97ct Total Diamond Weight Designed, Handpicked, & Manufactured From Sc...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Amethyst Necklace in 18ct GoldLocated in Bad Kissingen, DE18 ct yellow gold Set Amethyst drops Length: 43 cm Wide: 12 mm Front Length: 4 cm weight: 151,9 gramsCategory
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Drop Necklaces
MaterialsAmethyst, Gold
- Sapphire Diamond 18k Gold NecklaceLocated in Bad Kissingen, DE18 k yellow gold 1,81 ct sapphire 0,59 ct diamond 19,6 grams 45 cm long a classical necklace for the whole lifeCategory
21st Century and Contemporary European Drop Necklaces
- Fashionable Italian Yellow Gold Statement Drop Necklace for HerBy NatkinaLocated in Montreux, CHYellow Gold 14K Necklace Weight 6.30 gram Legth 43 cm With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions, NATKINA is a Geneva based jewellery brand, which creates modern jew...Category
2010s Drop Necklaces
MaterialsGold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold