In the mid-1950s, there were children who read comic books and built forts and then there was Barry Kieselstein-Cord, a now-critically acclaimed New York City–born jewelry designer whose early hobbies included carving totem poles.
In fact, Kieselstein-Cord was proficient at carving by the time he was eight years old. His hobby fueled what would become deep interests in Native American art and in the natural world around him. Kieselstein-Cord made more carvings, and eventually began to explore metalwork and craft jewelry in his teens. Today he creates rings, necklaces and other jewelry and accessories so divine that they are as much wearable sculptures as they are personal adornment.
Kieselstein-Cord studied at Parsons School of Design and the American Craft Institute. He has long been enamored of illustration, architecture, photography and other disciplines, and even as a world-renowned jeweler, Kieselstein-Cord has always considered his true identity as a sculptor. ”I don’t make jewelry; I do sculptures for the body,” he has said.
Kieselstein-Cord designed his first sterling silver collection in 1972, and a year later, the collection was presented for sale at Georg Jensen’s Manhattan flagship store. Kieselstein-Cord’s partnership with the legendary Danish silverware firm meant that his work would reach an international audience. It was also around this time that the designer began to work with fashion titans Perry Ellis and Calvin Klein.
By the late 1970s, Kieselstein-Cord had begun to integrate gold and gemstones into his work. During this decade he designed much-lauded belt buckles, and some of his most sought-after collections — including Crocodile, Pompeii and Borgia — followed a decade later. On today’s secondary market, those 1980s-era designs are enjoying a resurgence. Names like Henry Dunay and Kieselstein-Cord are being reappraised as icons of contemporary design.
Tom Hanks, Oprah Winfrey, Sir Elton John, Jack Nicholson, Barack Obama and Giorgio Armani are all known collectors of Kieselstein-Cord’s work. His designs have found their way into the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
On 1stDibs find a collection of vintage Barry Kieselstein-Cord belts, earrings, bracelets, handbags and other jewelry and accessories.
Barry Kieselstein Cord Sterling Silver Alligator Belt Buckle
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Wallkill, NY
Vintage B. Kieselstein-Cord Sterling Silver Alligator Belt Buckle – Iconic Designer Statement Own a piece of wearable art with this vintage Kieselstein-Cord sterling silver belt buck...
Barry Kieselstein Cord Vintage Black Moon Charm Sunglasses
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Barry Kieselstein Cord Vintage Black Moon Charm Sunglasses in excellent condition. Black acrylic body with black lenses trimmed with matte silver hardware upon each arm. Unique Moon ...
Barry Kieselstein Cord Sterling Silver Belt Buckle Frog Toad
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Wallkill, NY
Vintage B. Kieselstein-Cord Sterling Silver Frog Belt Buckle – Iconic Designer Statement Own a piece of wearable art with this vintage Kieselstein-Cord sterling silver belt buckle, f...
Barry Kieselstein Cord Lizard Skin Pink & Purple Belt W/ Sterling Silver Belt
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Barry Kieselstein Cord Lizard Skin Pink & Purple Belt W/ Sterling Silver Belt Bands. In excellent condition Measurements: Longest length - 3...
$792Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Barry Kieselstein Cord Sterling Silver Duck Buckle, Green and Red Belt
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: Featuring circa 1981, sterling silver duck buckle with interchangeable and adjustable animal skin green and red belt straps. All...
Kieselstein-Cord Crocodilehall Gator Flip Lock Medium
By KIESELSTEIN-CORD, Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Kieselstein-Cord Crocodilehall Gator Flip Lock Medium Introducing the exquisite Kieselstein-Cord Crocodilehall Handbag. Meticulously crafted in Italy, this piece showcases the brand...
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Tan Leather Hobo Shoulder Bag
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Tan Leather Hobo Shoulder Bag with herman toad details Depth 4” Length across 15.5" Bag Height 10.5” Handle Drop 15” There is some wear to the bag that is ...
Kieselstein Cord Huge Tortoise Shell & Embossed Croc Calfskin Sunglasses
By KIESELSTEIN-CORD, Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
Kieselstein Cord wonderfully elegant huge tortoise shell lucite frame is detailed with embossed croc calfskin arms, and finished with their signature name plated with their c...
Kieselstein-Cord Crocodilehall Gator Flip Lock Medium
By KIESELSTEIN-CORD, Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
We are offering this Kieselstein-Cord Crocodilehall handbag. Crafted in Italy, this bag is made with a combination of their Gator logo canvas and leather exterior with gold-tone hardware. It has top leather handles and it also comes with a leather removeable shoulder strap with gold-tone hardware. It features a gold-tone gator head flip lock...
$485Sale Price|29% Off
Kieselstein Cord Shades of Olive Green "The Saint" Tortoise Frame Eyeglasses
By KIESELSTEIN-CORD, Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
Kieselstein Cord "The Staint" tortoise frame in shades of olive greens are accented with "The Sun & The Moon" in gilded 18k plated gold hardware inserted with...
Vintage Kieselstein-Cord Navy Leather and Sterling Silver Shoulder Small Bag
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: The bag features 925 sterling silver animal, alligator, crocodile motif, sterling silver zip closure, green suede interior, braided finish shoulder handle that drop...
Mark Cross Belt with Enameled Turtles From the Estate of Pauline Trigère
By Mark Cross
Located in valatie, NY
Ladies Leather Belt with Enameled Turtles Made by Mark Cross Midtown. Marked "Mark Cross Midtown" with Mark Cross' Logo on the back of the belt. Also marked "32" and "1793." Purchase...
Gucci Ivory Belt w/ Gold "G" Buckle-30
By Gucci
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gucci Ivory Belt w/ Gold "G" Buckle-30. This amazing Gucci belt is in good condition. It has scratches on the buckle, as shown in picture, and it also has s...
Vintage gold-tone metal belt
Located in New York, NY
Vintage gold-tone metal belt with multicolor iserts, rectangular metal plates connected to each other Length – 81 cm + 21 cm chain Condition – very good ........Additional informa...
$57,008
H 8.27 in W 9.26 in D 4.73 in
Hermès Birkin Cargo 25 Noir/Black Canvas Swift Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Berlin, DE
Hermès Birkin Cargo 25 in noir and canvas swift leather with palladium hardware. The bag is unworn and comes as full set. Stamp U (2022)
Judith Leiber 1980s Swarovski Teddy Bear Belt
By Judith Leiber
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Get your hands on the Judith Leiber 1980s Swarovski Crystal Teddy Bear Belt—a whimsical and charming accessory that combines playful design with luxurious craftsmanship. The standout...
$7,105
H 5.52 in W 9.45 in D 3.15 in
Chanel Black Quilted Caviar Leather Medium Classic Top Handle Flap Bag
By Chanel
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Chanel Black Quilted Caviar Leather Medium Classic Top Handle Flap Bag Product Details Xupes Ref: HB4626 Brand: Chanel Model: Medium Classic Top Handle Flap Bag Type: Top Handle, Sh...
1983 Christopher Ross Bow Statement Belt Buckle
By Christopher Ross
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Make a statement in this Christopher Ross Bow Belt Buckle from 1983! The textured plated gold metal and freely structured shape of the bow gives the il...
$1,521
H 11.42 in W 19.69 in D 9.85 in
Louis Vuitton Brown Monogram Coated Canvas & Vachetta Leather Vintage Keepall 50
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Louis Vuitton Brown Monogram Coated Canvas & Vachetta Leather Vintage Keepall 50 Product Details Xupes Ref: HB4785 Brand: Louis Vuitton Model: Keepall 50 Type: Travel Serial N...
Hermès Gris Meyer/Noir Mini Kelly 20 Verso Epsom Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Jewels Aficionado offers the stunning Hermès Gris Meyer/Noir Mini Kelly 20 Verso in Epsom leather, a truly unique and highly sought-after piece. The ...
$9,920
H 6.75 in W 12 in D 4 in
Chanel Small Shopping Bag Black Grained Leather Cerf Executive Vintage Tote 2014
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Small Shopping Bag Black Grained Caviar Leather Cerf Executive Vintage Tote Year: 2014 Silver hardwre Black grained caviar leather Interlocking CC Logo Rolled Handles &...
LORO PIANA dark browns leather DOUBLE WRAP Belt 80
By Loro Piana
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Loro Piana double wrap leather belt in ebony (dark brown) is crafted from supple, premium leather and designed to wrap elegantly around the waist for a refined, m...
CHANEL black acetate 1990s ICONIC OVAL Sunglasses
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
These 100% authentic Chanel 1990s iconic chunky oval sunglasses feature a sleek black acetate frame finished with bold gold-tone CC logos on the temples. The sculptural, oversized si...
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Woven Black Leather Handbag
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Woven Black Leather Handbag An elegant rectangular handbag by Barry Kieselstein-Cord, finely woven in black leather and distinguished by double rolled handles...
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Sterling Heart Buckle and Black Lizard Belt Never Worn
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New Hope, PA
This sterling silver buckle, a heart pierced through by Cupid's Arrow, is perfect for all you romantics, and would be romantics. The buckle is fully marked on the back, and the bla...
Vintage BARRY KIESELSTEIN-CORD 1995 Size 2 Brown Leather Sterling Alligator Belt
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage BARRY KIESELSTEIN-CORD 1995 belt comes in a brown alligator leather featuring a sterling silver alligator buckle. Very Good Pre-Owned Condit...
1990’s Barry Kieselstein-Cord Women of the World Shoulder Handbag
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
- Slightly curved shaped - Leather shoulder strap, drops 9.5” - Tile motif of mixed exotic skins and leather finish with gold faces, each tile measures 1” x1” - Top zip closure with ...
1990s Barry Kieselstein Cord Alligator Purple + Silver Chrome Vintage Sunglasses
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and chic late 90s BARRY KIESELSTEIN CORD purple and matte silver oblong / rectangle novelty rimless sunglasses! The hinge of each side of the frames feature the brand’s signatur...
Vintage Barry Kieselstein-Cord Wide Sun Buckle Silver Tone
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
The winking sun buckle is one of Kieselstein-Cord's early designs and one of the most popular. This vintage wide sun belt buckle comes in silver tone hardware...
Vintage Barry Kieselstein Cord Wide Buckle Black Leather Slim Belt Silver Tone
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
Vintage wide fancy buckle with a leather belt is one of Kieselstein-Cord's early and popular designs. This vintage wide fancy buckle with leaves design comes in silver tone hardware ...
Barry Kieselstein Cord Wide Buckle Black Leather Slim Belt Gold Tone
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
The wide fancy buckle with a leather belt is one of Kieselstein-Cord's early and popular designs. This vintage wide fancy buckle comes in gold tone hardware with a slim black leather...
Vintage Barry Kieselstein-Cord Wide Sun Buckle Brown Leather Belt Gold Tone
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
The winking sun buckle with a brown leather belt is one of Kieselstein-Cord's early designs and one of the most popular. This vintage wide sun belt buckle c...
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Black Sterling Silver Alligator Buckle On Lizard Strap
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Dix hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 1192000 Made In: New York Measurements: Length: 33" Width: 1" Height: " Belt Strap Measurements: Adjustable 26"-30" OVERALL GOOD VINTAGE CONDITION (6...
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Sterling Silver Sun & Moon Brown Alligator Belt c 1990
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in University City, MO
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Sterling silver moon & sun sleek brown alligator belt c 1990 The stylish belt is designed with a chunky large-scale sterling silver buckle The celestial buckle...
1980 Barry Kieselstein-Cord Black Leather Satchel Bag w/ Logo Alligator Hardware
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Gresham, OR
A simple 1980s Barry Kieselstein-Cord black pebbled leather satchel bag with large signature silver alligator hardware. Braided leather handle. ...