Ciner Opulent Black Enamel Glass Jeweled Hinged Elephant Bracelet c 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c 1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Overall nice vintage condition.
- Seller Location:University City, MO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU73614123622
Ciner
What defines “fine” jewelry? For many aficionados, there’s a clear line separating the golden wheat from the gilded chaff. But the handcrafted pieces made by Ciner, a 128-year-old costume jewelry house with a glittering past to rival some of the hautest high jewelers, call into question our notions of what constitutes preciousness.
Quality? Craftsmanship? Painstaking detail? Vintage Ciner earrings, brooches, necklaces and other accessories have them all in spades.
Much of the Ciner’s allure can be traced to its origins in fine jewelry. Emanuel Ciner, an Austrian immigrant, founded the firm in Manhattan in 1892, crafting pieces from the traditional precious gems, gold and platinum. But World War I and the Great Depression caused purse strings to tighten and materials to become scarce. Rather than try to weather the economic downturn, which shuttered many other American jewelers, Ciner made the risky transition from fine jewelry to costume (or fashion) jewelry — virtually uncharted territory.
Emanuel Ciner’s sons, Irwin and Charles, introduced an array of innovations — rubber casting molds, which are especially durable and produce higher quality results, and white metal alloys, which affordably mimic the look of more precious materials — that would become the standard for costume jewelry. During World War II, Ciner’s advanced molding technology was utilized by the U.S. military to produce munitions and tools. This arrangement gave the firm access to the heavily rationed metals it needed for its jewels, enabling it again to endure conditions that drove others into bankruptcy.
The company hit its stride in the 1960s, when its jewelry was sold at some of the country’s toniest stores, even garnering an Andy Warhol–illustrated ad for Bonwit Teller. Its pieces were worn by the era’s brightest stars. In the famous 1957 Joe Shere photo of Sophia Loren sneering at Jayne Mansfield’s décolletage, Mansfield is resplendent in shoulder-grazing Ciner earrings.
Ciner is unique among costume jewelers in that its pieces aren’t imitations — they are coveted in their own right. Elizabeth Taylor, a voracious jewelry collector with a taste for the very finest, was a longtime client. Several suites of Ciner jewels were included in the 2011 Christie’s sale of Taylor’s collection, with one group of rhinestone-studded ear clips and a bracelet fetching $15,600 — more than 100 times the auction estimate. It’s a reminder of a time, not so long ago, when women of great style wore fine and costume jewelry with equal aplomb, often at the same time.
Today, Ciner — now run by Emanuel Ciner’s granddaughter Pat Ciner Hill and great-granddaughter Jean Hill — continues to adhere to the same exacting production specifications. It is the only jewelry house in New York, and likely the United States, that manufactures all its pieces entirely in-house. Each begins with dozens of elements that are cast in rubber molds and then individually filed and polished, plated in a particularly thick layer of 18-karat gold or rhodium, assembled on the bench and painted with enamel or set with stones. Every step is performed by hand by craftsmen, many of whom have been with the company for more than 30 years.
Find vintage Ciner clip-on earrings, choker necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: University City, MO
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Miriam Haskell Elegant Glass Enamel Pearl Hinged Bracelet c 1950sBy Miriam HaskellLocated in University City, MOMiriam Haskell Elegant glass enamel pearl hinged bracelet c 1950s The mid century brass filigree hinged bracelet is embellished with a band o...Category
Mid-20th Century American Gilded Age Beaded Bracelets
MaterialsBrass, Enamel
- Italian Gilt Metal Jeweled Poured Glass Wide Hinged Cuff Bracelet c 1980sLocated in University City, MOItalian gilt metal jeweled poured glass wide hinged cuff bracelet c 1980s The elegant jeweled cuff is sheathed with textured, hammered luminous gilt m...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsGold Plate
- Ken Lane Amber Glass Cabochon Gilt Metal Bracelet c 1970By Kenneth Jay LaneLocated in University City, MOKen Lane amber glass cabochon gilt metal bracelet c 1970s The stylish designer costume clamper bracelet is adorned with a series of honey color glass cabochons The hinged bangle is...Category
Late 20th Century American Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Exquisite Crystal Gilt Metal Hinged Leaf BraceletLocated in University City, MOExquisite crystal gilt metal hinged leaf bracelet The elegant crystal bracelet is encrusted with brilliant glittering garnet color prong set crystals in a floral design The sides...Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Alexis Kirk Gilt Metal Etruscan Style Hammered Hinged Bracelet, circa 1980sBy Alexis KirkLocated in University City, MOAlexis Kirk ornate gilt metal etruscan style hammered hinged bracelet The heavy gilt metal bracelet is designed with a pair of stylized rams heads at the center Circling the bracel...Category
Late 20th Century American Etruscan Revival Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Glittering Crystal Wide Gilt Metal Cuff Designed by GrazianoBy R.J. GrazianoLocated in University City, MOGlittering crystal wide gilt metal cuff designed by Graziano The opulent gilt metal cuff bracelet is embellished with a wreath of garnet color crystals accented with diamante cry...Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsCrystal, Gilt Metal
- Emerald Sirius Bracelet in 18k Yellow Gold & Distressed Silver by Elie TopBy Elie TopLocated in Paris, FranceGold and distressed silver bracelet. Rotating sphere revealing an emerald surrounded by emeralds and diamonds. Details: Central Emerald: 1.42 cts certified Zambia Emeralds: 1.1 cts...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsEmerald, Yellow Gold, Silver
- Nwt $165, 703 Rare Fancy 18kt Gold Gorgeous 35ct Fancy Yellow Diamond BraceletLocated in New York, NYThe Following Item we are offering is a Rare Important Radiant 18KT Gold Fancy Yellow Diamond Bracelet! This Magnificent Fancy Yellow Diamond Bracelet Features Pristine Cut Fancy ass...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
- Nwt $137, 644 Rare Fancy 18kt Gold Gorgeous 24ct Fancy Yellow Diamond BraceletLocated in New York, NYThe Following Item we are offering is a Rare Important Radiant 18KT Gold Fancy Yellow Diamond Bracelet! This Magnificent Fancy Yellow Diamond Bracelet has approx 24CTS of Fine Fancy ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
- 14k Gold Ribbed Open Cuff Bangle Bracelet Set with Mabe Pearls and EnamelLocated in Southport, CT14k Yellow Gold Ribbed Open Cuff Bangle Bracelet Set With Mabe Pearls And Green And Blue Enamel. This colorful bracelet is a hinged, open ribbed cuff style bangle, with cultured mabe...Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsPearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
- Victorian 15k Gold 2.33ctw Diamond Enamel BraceletLocated in Scotts Valley, CADetails: This is from our private stash. Early Victorian era bracelet in 15K gold, blue enamel with large stunning old style and mine cut diamon...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, 15k Gold, Enamel
- Diamond Emerald BraceletLocated in New York, NYApproximately 240 diamonds (Old European, Simple, Marquis and Tapered Buguettes Cuts) (VS-SI clarity) (D-F color) Setting: Bezel Largest Center Diamond: Marquis Cut, 0.5 ct, SI clari...Category
20th Century Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Platinum