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 Kieseltein Cord Handbag COGNAC VINTAGE
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Ardmore, PA
Barry Kieseltein Cord Handbag. Woven cognac leather. Smooth top panel. Distinctive alligator accent on the handle. Matte gold embellishments. Three interior slide in pocket. One zipp...
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...
Kieselstein-Cord Crocodilehall Gator Flip Lock Medium
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1, KIESELSTEIN-CORD
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Kieselstein-Cord Crocodilehall Gator Flip Lock Medium Introducing the exquisite Kieselstein-Cord Crocodilehall Handbag. Meticulously crafted in Italy, this piece showcases the brand...
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 Crocodilehall Gator Flip Lock Medium
By KIESELSTEIN-CORD, Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
We are offering this Kieselstein-Cord Crocodilehall handbag. Crafted in Italy, this bag is made with a combination of their Gator logo canvas and leather exterior with gold-tone hardware. It has top leather handles and it also comes with a leather removeable shoulder strap with gold-tone hardware. It features a gold-tone gator head flip lock...
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 Tan Leather Hobo Shoulder Bag
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Tan Leather Hobo Shoulder Bag with herman toad details Depth 4” Length across 15.5" Bag Height 10.5” Handle Drop 15” There is some wear to the bag that is ...
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...
Vintage Kieselstein-Cord Navy Leather and Sterling Silver Shoulder Small Bag
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: The bag features 925 sterling silver animal, alligator, crocodile motif, sterling silver zip closure, green suede interior, braided finish shoulder handle that drop...
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...
DONNA KARAN Black Gold Leather Wallet
By Donna Karan
Located in San Francisco, CA
DONNA KARAN wallet in a black leather featuring multiple card and cash slots, and gold tone metal clip closure.Good Pre-Owned Condition. Moderate signs of wear, as is. Measurements...
DSQUARED2 Blue Clear Sunglasses & Eyewear
By Dsquared2
Located in San Francisco, CA
SKU: 146788 Category: Sunglasses & Eyewear More Details Brand: DSQUARED2 Gender: Male Color: Blue Color 2: Clear Condition: 1. New with Box Age Group: Adult
$3,550
H 6.3 in D 1.97 in L 11.03 in
Prada 2010s Red Crocodile Leather Bauletto Bag with Gold Hardware
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Red crocodile leather exterior with natural scale texture Gold-tone hardware Double rolled top handles Zip closure at top Leather-lined interior with zip pocket Includes clochette, l...
1980s Gianni Versace Chain Buckle Red Crocodile Embossed Leather Belt
By Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a fabulous red crocodile Gianni Versace belt designed by Gianni Versace. From the 1980s, this belt is complete with a chain belt bu...
Hermes Birkin Limited Edition 35 Diamond Bordeaux Porosus Crocodile Bag
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an exceptional limited edition Hermes Birkin 35 Diamond Porosus Crocodile bag featured in stunning jewel-toned Bordeaux. This rare masterpiece features 18K White Gold hardware adorned with 10.23 carats of ethically sourced Hermes diamonds, showcasing unparalleled craftsmanship. Comes lock and keys in the clochette, sleeper and rain protector. Plastic on hardware. Carried one time. Mightychic elevates online shopping as a premier destination for exceptional and unique Hermes luxury goods...
Hermes Birkin HSS 35 Porosus Crocodile Black Red La Rosee One of a Kind Bag
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an extraordinary one of a kind Hermes 35 Birkin HSS bag. Black porosus crocodile with the dewdrop detailed La Rosee red velvet ...
Hermes Kelly Sellier 32 Tri-Colour Poussiere Poudre Ficelle Crocodile
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Kelly 32 Sellier bag featured in a rare tri-colour Porosus Crocodile. The perfect neutral palette of Poussiere, Poudre and Ficelle. No longer produced thi...
New Vintage Issey Miyake Shutters Pet Shop Boys Suburbia 1986 Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Seldom is an understatement. This pair of Issey Miyake Suburbia shutters are the epitome of craftsmanship & design. The same coveted and celebrated model in black matte tone worn by Neil Francis Tennant lead singer of the synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys...
Vintage CHRISTIAN DIOR Gray Canvas Saddle Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Bangkok, TH
This iconic Christian Dior Saddle Bag is crafted of canvas and laminated canvas in gray featuring silver toned hardware. Front flap Velcro closure opens to a beige fabric interior wi...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Jewelled Heart Silk Cord Belt
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage black passementerie cord belt featuring a gold and silver toned heart with crystal embellishement. One size fits all. Adjustable ...
$58,393
H 9.45 in W 2.72 in L 8.55 in
Exceptional Hermès Handbag Purse Clutch Black Porosus Crocodile Gold Hdw
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Exceptionally Rare Authentic Hermès Purse Absolutely divine, a jewel The entire bag is rigid (leather and hardware), so chic ! Made in France Stamp R (no circle nor square - the...
CHANEL black acetate 5427 PEARL EMBELLISHED Sunglasses
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic These 100% authentic Chanel 5427-H sunglasses are crafted in black acetate with elegant pearl-embellished temples and the house’s signature CC detail. Designed with a ...
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Woven Black Leather Handbag
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Woven Black Leather Handbag An elegant rectangular handbag by Barry Kieselstein-Cord, finely woven in black leather and distinguished by double rolled handles...
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...
1990’s Barry Kieselstein-Cord Women of the World Shoulder Handbag
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
- Slightly curved shaped - Leather shoulder strap, drops 9.5” - Tile motif of mixed exotic skins and leather finish with gold faces, each tile measures 1” x1” - Top zip closure with ...
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...
1980 Barry Kieselstein-Cord Black Leather Satchel Bag w/ Logo Alligator Hardware
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Gresham, OR
A simple 1980s Barry Kieselstein-Cord black pebbled leather satchel bag with large signature silver alligator hardware. Braided leather handle. ...