Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
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.
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Sterling Silver
1990s American Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s British Artist Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Nepalese Artisan Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
Lapis Lazuli, Silver, Gold Plate
20th Century Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Dutch Georgian Antique Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s North American Contemporary Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s Japanese Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver, Brass
1970s American Native American Vintage Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
Coral, Sterling Silver
20th Century Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Contemporary Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Barry Kieselstein-Cord Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Sterling Silver
