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 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...
1988 Vintage Barry Kieselstein-Cord Sterling Silver Belt Buckle
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Vintage sterling silver belt buckle dated 1988. Sculptural twisted rope motif rendered in solid sterling silver. - Dated 1988 - Solid Sterling Silver (.925) - Sculptural Twisted Rop...
Louis Vuitton Glitter Silver Damier LV Pyramide 40mm Belt 37LV128S
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Dix hills, NY
Louis Vuitton Glitter Silver Damier LV Pyramide 40mm Belt 37LV128S Date Code/Serial Number: BC4271 Made In: Spain Measurements: Length: 46.5" Wi...
Louis Vuitton Ultra Rare Cherry Blossom Pink Monogram Belt 70/28 860753
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Dix hills, NY
EXCELLENT VINTAGE CONDITION (8/10 or AB) Fits Circumference 25" to 29.5" Pink Canvas is EXCELLENT Minor marks on hardware Light marks on back of belt
Navy Hermes Skinny Leather Belt
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Navy skinny leather belt by Hermes. Silver-tone lock buckle closure. 0.5" width, 32" length.
$975Sale Price|23% Off
W 1 in L 41.5 in
Sterling Silver Handmade Turquoise & Coral Artisan Link Belt Circa 1970s
Located in University City, MO
Sterling silver handmade artisan turquoise & coral stone link belt c 1970s The unique artisan belt is comprised of 15 sterling silver oval-shaped links with subtle impressed designs ...
1980s Yves Saint Laurent Orange Suede Gold High Waist Belt
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in London, GB
Yves Saint Laurent High Waist Belt, Orange Suede on Gold leather details, Made in France Measurements: 85 (buckle included) x8cm Condition details: 1980s, vintage, a little mark ...
Hermès Ceinture T85 Constance 38 Unique Silver Tuareg H buckle Belt 30in Hermes
By Hermès
Located in PARIS, FR
Hermès "mix-and-match" style belt (38 mm width) featuring a reversible strap in Sapphire Blue and Gold (or Camel) Epsom grained leather—dated 2022—and a solid silver "H" (or Constanc...
Isabel Canovas 'fruit' belt by Isabel Canovas circa 1980
By Isabel Canovas
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
ISABEL CANOVAS - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1980 under the artistic direction of Isabel Canovas. Wide braided raffia belt with fabric pears in pink and purple tones ornamented...
S/S 1999 Gucci by Tom Ford Runway Silver Elasticized Leather Logo Thin Belt N/A
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
From the Spring/Summer 1999 collection, this fabulous silver leather Gucci thin stretch belt was worn in several colors on a number of runway looks. Designed by Tom Ford, this thin l...
Chanel leather belt by Karl Lagerfeld Fall-Winter 1992
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1992 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear 'Le look cuir' Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal belt interlaced with black leather and ornamented with...
CHRISTIAN LACROIX Vintage Red Grained Leather Belt with Oversized Heart Buckle
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Nice, FR
CHRISTIAN LACROIX vintage red grained leather belt featuring an oversized gold toned heart buckle. Marked CHRISTIAN LACROIX Paris. Made in France. Indicated size : 75/30. Indicati...
Gucci Vintage Black Alligator Belt Gold Toned Rope Twist Buckle
By Gucci
Located in New Hope, PA
A classic black alligator belt with a twisted rope style gold toned buckle from Gucci will work with so many pieces in your wardrobe. It is in excellent condition. Measurements; ...
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 ...
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...
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...
Kieselstein-Cord Sterling Silver Frog Buckle & Black Embossed Leather Belt
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
Kieselstein-Cord Sterling Frog Buckle & Black Embossed Leather Belt Color: Black, silver Hardware: Silver Materials: Sterling silver, embossed leather ...