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...
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...
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...
Kieselstein Cord Huge Tortoise Shell & Embossed Croc Calfskin Sunglasses
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1, KIESELSTEIN-CORD
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...
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 ...
$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...
$198Sale Price|60% Off
New Fendi brown Buckle Sunglasses with Case
By Fendi
Located in Conroe, TX
New Fendi Sunglasses with Case Brand New Brow & Black Sunglasses Fendi Buckle Detail at Sides Lightweight Scratch and Impact Resistant Made in I...
$297Sale Price|40% Off
New Fendi Gold Aviator Wrap Sunglasses with Case
By Fendi
Located in Conroe, TX
New Fendi Gold Aviator Wrap Sunglasses with Case Brand New Gold & Brown Wrap Sunglasses Faux Leather Accents Lightweight Scratch and Impact Resistant ...
CHANEL Ski Sunglasses 2000 Rare
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
CHANEL Ski Sunglasses 2000 Rare A rare Chanel trendy ski sunglasses from the Fall runway 2000 collection and highly collectable. Featuring a large silver-gr...
Chanel Vintage Oversized Glasses
By Chanel
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Chanel Tortoiseshell Vintage Sunglasses Mark Chanel Model 5170 c. 501/3C Lens material PASTA With polarized lens Yes Other features With UV protection : Yes Gender : Female Descript...
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...
$396Sale Price|20% Off
New Fendi White Wayfarer Sunglasses with Case
By Fendi
Located in Conroe, TX
New Fendi White Wayfarer Sunglasses with Case Brand New White Wayfarer Sunglasses Lightweight Scratch and Impact Resistant Made in Italy 100% UVA/UVB Protection With Case & Cleanin...
$295Sale Price|43% Off
New Chloe Dark Olive Sunglasses With Case & Cards
By Chloé
Located in Conroe, TX
Chloe Coveted Sunglasses Brand New * Stunning Dark Olive Frames * Brushed Bronze Hardware * Chloe Details on Temples * Made in France * 100% UVA/UVB Protection * With Case, Cleanin...
Gucci by Tom Ford S/S 1996 Oversized Silver Metal G Logo Buckle Suede Belt
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in BELLEVUE HILL, NSW
Dating to the Tom Ford designed S/S 1996 collection, iterations of this belt appeared on the runway on supermodel Linda Evangelista, in the campaign for the season & modelled by Kate...
CHANEL black 5326 CHAIN CAT EYE Sunglasses
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel C501/S8 cat-eye sunglasses in black acetate with grey gradient lenses and antique gold-tone chain detailed temples. Have been worn and are in excellent conditio...
1990s vintage gucci sunglasses gg2943/s
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in COLLINGWOOD, AU
vintage gucci sunglasses gg2943/s. AMAZING GUCCI vintage sunglasses from the 1990s in black with brown lenses. Iconic design with GUCCI horse bit in silver chrome. Excellent l...
CHANEL silver metal 05A CRYSTAL CAMELLIA CHAIN Belt 85 90
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Chanel mesh link belt in silver-tone metal showcases a striking flower motif, encrusted with clear and yellow strass and accented by a central faux pearl. A dangl...
CHRISTIAN DIOR black leather MONTAIGNE BOBBY CD Belt 80
By Christian Dior
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Christian Dior Montaigne Bobby CD waist belt in shiny calfskin featuring signature CD metal buckle with gold finish. Has been w...
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...
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...
Barry Kieselstein Cord Sterling Silver Turtle Buckle & Belt, 1996
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Atlanta, GA
Buckle?...Sculpture?...Jewelry? How about all three! Barry Kieselstein-Cord describes himself as an artist and refers to his work as sculpture. This charming sterling silver turtl...
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Black Belt W/ Gold Buckle
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Black Belt W/ Gold Buckle. Vintage belt from 1990s in excellent condition Measurements: Longest length - 32.1 inches Smallest length - 28.2 inches Height ...
Barry Keiselstein Cord Sterling Belt
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
Barry Keiselstein Cord Sterling belt with signature carved buckle and loop in heavy sterling silver on an alligator grain leather belt band. Heavy cas...