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.
Kieselstein Cord Diamond 18k Yellow Gold 3D Alligator Cuff Bracelet
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Dallas, TX
This authentic Barry Kieselstein-Cord bracelet is finely crafted from 18k yellow gold featuring an intricate and detailed 3D sculpted full figure alligator, from the larger part with...
Gold Leaf
Kieselstein Cord Sterling Silver Turtle Necklace
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Ferndale, MI
Sterling silver Kieselstein Cord necklace with turtle decoration. Stamped Kieselstein Cord 1998 and 925 silver. 17.75 " overall length.
Sterling Silver
Barry Kieselstein Cord Brown Lux Leather Extra Long Double Chain Poc
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Westport, CT
Barry Kiestelstein cord dark brown lux leather alligator head on front, extra long double gilt chain, and alligator brushed gilt feet, with pooch, looks to be unused.
Bronze, Gilt Metal
Barry Kieselstein Cord Large Eagle Head Sterling Alligator Belt
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Westport, CT
Barry Kieselstein Cord Large scale eagle head sterling belt buckle with sterling loops and tip, all stamped sterling 1992 USA with hallmarks, all original brown alligator belt. Meas...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Pillbox
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A chic and practical way to carry your pills; this sterling silver pillbox. It has a polygon shape and sleek with no decorative qualities. The top is a perfect place to have it mon...
Sterling Silver
$2,125
H 13.8 in W 16.7 in D 11 in
Antique Carved Oak Gothic Revival Bible Stand / Church Book Stand w IHS Symbols
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique bible table stand with hand carved cross and open IHS symbols in Gothic quatrefoil in the sides. This beautifully and fine quality hand-carved Gothic bible stand dates from...
Brass
Handmade Silver and Enamel Bracelet Cuff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handmade silver and enamel bracelet cuff - wonderful detailing and colors - a must have for the bohemian styled person - a great stand alone piece or wit...
Silver, Enamel
Sterling Silver Tray
By Graff, Washbourne & Dunn
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a beautiful sterling silver tray with an elegant reticulated design going around the border. It’s an oval piece with handles on each side and stands on a pedestal. ...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Platter
By Redlich & Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver platter (tray) by Redlich & CO of New York. It is a large serving tray with old world detail around the edges. It has a scalloped rim with fl...
Sterling Silver
$55,824
H 24.02 in W 51.38 in D 21.66 in
1 OF 1 HERMES PARIS JOHN LOBB EXTRA LARGE SHOE TRUNK HAND DYED LEATHER PANELs
By John Lobb, Hermès
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Hermes Paris for John Lobb shoe trunk and care kit with original accessories plus countless extras Where to begin! This is the finest example of this kind of trunk I have ever see...
Leather, Beech
$11,902 / set
H 18.51 in W 4.93 in D 4.93 in
Pair of Large 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Black Marble Nero Antico Obelisks
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very attractive pair of Italian Grand Tour black marble obelisks. Detailed hieroglyphics to the front side, on a green marble plinth. Minor corner chips to both obelisks, otherwise...
Marble
Pair of Hollywood Regency Neoclassical Style Brass Obelisks
Located in Houston, TX
Great pair of Hollywood Regency brass obelisks. These beautiful midcentury neoclassical style brass obelisks have a naturally occurring patina that could be polished if desired. Perf...
Brass
Large and Extremely Rare Terrestrial Globe by Newton
By Newton Globes - Planer & Newton
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large and extremely rare 24-inch terrestrial globe by Newton Our most magnificent and rare globes were a pair of 24-inch Newton globes. These too were updated in 1852 (terre...
Mahogany
Vintage Silver Aztec design Cuff bracelet Taxco Mexico
Located in London, GB
A stunning collectible vintage silver hinged clasp Bracelet crafted in Taxco Mexico, and dating to the 1970s. This beautifully detailed piece features a traditional Aztec inspired design. Hollow bodied light and easy to wear Origin: Taxco, Mexico Period: Circa 1970s Materials: Sterling silver, with makers mark JC Style: Vintage Aztec Mexican folk art An exceptional addition to any collection of Taxco silver, vintage Mexican jewelry...
Silver
1940s Maple Conveyor Belt Room Screen
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Industrial 1940s conveyor belt room screen made up of wood slats with rounded ends. Entire screen connected with canvas and rivets. Stands up very easily...
Maple
Floor Model Light Up Globe by Replogle Ca. 1950/1960's
By Replogle Globes
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional light up floor model globe, by Replogle Globes Inc. The globe is 16 in. in diameter, it features an interior light, and restrain a solid mahogany frame. This example is i...
Glass, Mahogany, Paper
Sold
H 2 in W 3.38 in D 1.13 in
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Men's Sterling Silver Labrador Retriever Dog Belt Buckle
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in St. Louis, MO
Barry Kieselstein-Cord classic men's or unisex Sterling Silver Labrador Retriever belt buckle. Unpolished, and showing its original beautifully fine detailed textured design. A whims...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 1.75 in W 5.88 in D 6 in
Vintage 90's Kieselstein-Cord Sunglasses Black & Gold "African Queen" Alligator
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in St. Louis, MO
1990's Vintage Kieselstein-Cord Black "African Queen" Sunglasses . These sunglasses are in very nice vintage condition with very slight use. They have a matte gold platted Crocodiles on each side with rose color lens. Measures 5.5" between arms. From the estate of Joan Conway Crancer, daughter of the famous St. Louis painter Fred Conway, and was a passionate art collector, included in her collection were Calder Sculptures, Max Beckman...
Glass, Plastic
Sold
H 3.5 in W 3.5 in D 0.5 in
Barry Kieselstein Cord Vintage Sterling Crocodile Alligator Belt and Buckle
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Barry Kieselstein-Cord sterling silver alligator belt buckle and brown crocodile skin belt. Belt - 26.5” to 30.5” x 1.5” / Buckle - 3.5” ...
Sterling Silver
Kieselstein Cord Sterling Silver Toggle Dog Moon Turtle Charm Bracelet
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Ferndale, MI
Kieselstein Cord substantial sterling chain with three K-C charms dog moon and turtle shell. Overall length 8".
Sterling Silver
Barry Kieselstein Cord Carnelian Intaglio Gold Bracelet
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Atlanta, GA
Barry Kieselstein Cord Carnelian Intaglio gold bracelet, American, circa 1985. This 18-karat gold cuff bracelet comes with an original receipt letter stating it was purchased for $99...
Multi-gemstone, Metal, Gold
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Belt Buckle, Sterling Silver, Snake, Signed
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
Barry Kieselstein- cord belt buckle, sterling silver, snake, signed. Hallmarked: 234 ©B. Kieselstein-Cord, 1994.
Sterling Silver
Signed Kieselstein Cord Sterling Silver Box / SATURDAY SALE
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely round polished sterling silver small box is by the master jeweler Kieselstein Cord. This is hallmarked on the bottom as shown in the photos. It is the sun and the moon. Done in 1999. This is a more obscure and rare small box...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 1.5 in W 8 in D 3.13 in
I Gave You All of Me, a Bronze Sculpture of a Bird's Wing by Darla Jackson, 2013
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Title: I Gave You All Of Me A patinated bronze sculpture of a bird's wing by Darla Jackson. Date: 2013 Length: ca. 8 1/2 in. Also available in cast resin on commission ba...
Bronze
Sold
H 1.38 in W 0.9 in D 0.75 in
18-Karat Gold & Diamonds Kieselstein Cord Angel with Heart Brooch or Pin
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A charming variation on jewelry designer Barry Kieselstein-Cord's Angel or Cupid brooch. The cupid figure (or angel) stands with wings spread and outs...
Gold
Sold
H 0.7 in W 0.65 in D 0.3 in
Pair of Barry Kieselstein-Cord 18-Karat Gold Labrador Retriever Dog Earrings
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine and heavy pair of jewelry designer Barry Kieselstein-Cord's labrador retriever earrings. The complimentary pair depicts a well-defined dog's head in profile. Each dog wear...
Gold