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 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 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 ...
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...
$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...
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...
$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...
21st Century High Quality Sunglasses by Marc Jacobs
By Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Chic 21st Century Marc by Marc Jacobs Sunglasses Step out in style with these fashionable and high-quality sunglasses from Marc by Marc Jacobs, a testament to the brand's modern and ...
Whiting and Davis 1980s Gold Metal Chainmail Vintage Metallic 80s Belt
By Whiting & Davis
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic early 80s vintage WHITING & DAVIS gold chain mail metal belt ! Features signature chainmail in a bright metallic gold. Large gold buckle. Really makes any outfit complete. Great...
A pair of Vintage 1970s Sunglasses by Charme
By charme
Located in London, GB
A chic pair of 1970s sunglasses by Charme. These sunglasses have an animal print frame and are model 70/74N , col 510.
S/S 1988 Gianni Versace Ad Oversized Rhinestone Black Ribbed Satin Leather 65
By Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a stunning black wide Gianni Versace belt, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Spring/Summer 1988 collection, this beautiful cloth belt features a ribbed fabric at the st...
1990s Gianni Versace Medusa Rhinestone Beading Acrylic Sunglasses
By Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a fabulous pair of black and silvertone Cateye-style Gianni Versace sunglasses. From the 1990s, these stunning sunglasses are complete with an abstract rhinestone pattern ...
Hermès Belt Buckle Elephants in Golden Metal for 32 mm Belt
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Beautiful and Rare Authentic Hermès Belt Buckle In shape of 2 elephants Made of Golden Metal "HERMÈS" engraved at back For 32 mm belt (1,26 inches) Measurements: - 9 cm at long...
CoCo Chanel Haute Couture Lion Belt Maison Goossens
By Maison Goossens for Chanel, Chanel
Located in Riverdale, NY
CoCo Chanel early chain belt composed of signature curb chain with classic signature lions head motifs terminating in an adjustable pendant tassel. Coco Chanel synthesizes her favor...
Giorgio Armani Black Lace Up Corset Cummerbund Belt
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The rayon exterior of this incredible Giorgio Armani waist band shines like satin and the soft supple leather interior is so luxe. This waist belt/cummerbund is edgy and classic. Dar...
Vintage Jean Paul GAULTIER by ALAIN MIKLI 3-Arm Tortoiseshell Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Jean Paul GAULTIER by ALAIN MIKLI 3-Arm Tortoiseshell Sunglasses Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER in collaboration with ALAIN MIKLI. - Tortoiseshell acetate su...
Vintage Paloma Picasso Black Patent Leather Belt with Chunky Gold Hardware
By Paloma Picasso
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Vintage Paloma Picasso black patent leather belt with four gold-tone chunky rope chain bars across the front. The hardware is heavy and well-made. Smooth black leather interior with ...
Christian Dior leather belt
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
DIOR - (Made in Italy) Openwork orangey brown leather belt decorated with silvery metal and red resin cabochons. Leather interlaced with a flower pattern silk ribbon. Condition: Ver...
Thierry Mugler, vintage sport chic frame from 1990s
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Paris, FR
This 1990s Thierry Mugler frame softens the house’s razor cat-eye into a lithe, almond silhouette with a shallow lens height and a gentle facial wrap. The brow sweeps in a continuous...
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...