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 ...
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...
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...
$485Sale Price|29% Off
Kieselstein Cord Shades of Olive Green "The Saint" Tortoise Frame Eyeglasses
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1, KIESELSTEIN-CORD
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...
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...
Yves Saint Laurent Wide Belt Oversized Abstract Gold Leaf with Tassel Sz L
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Preowned Yves Saint Laurent wide belt with oversized abstract gold leaf buckle and tassel, likely made in the 2000s. Most definitely a statement piece! Made from a wide black leathe...
Orciani Brown leather vintage belt
By orciani
Located in Capri, IT
Orciani Brown leather vintage belt Totally made in italy in italian size range 75
$239Sale Price|20% Off
Mont Blank Pre Loved 2938 63-13 -130 Black Men's Sunglasses, Made in Italy
By Fendi
Located in New York, NY
Mont Blank Pre Loved 2938 63-13 -130 Black men's Sunglasses, Made in Italy Pre Loved sunglasses Full money Back Guaranteed. Monalisa Jewelry Inc. We ar...
CHANEL Ski Sunglasses 2000 Rare
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
CHANEL Ski Sunglasses 2000 Rare A rare Chanel trendy ski sunglasses from the Fall runway 2000 collection and highly collectable. Featuring a large silver-gr...
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...
Unavailable|$1,300
CHANEL Vintage Gold CC White Leather Chain Belt
By Chanel
Located in Bellevue, WA
DETAILS: Made in France Signed CHANEL Gold Plated Clasp closure Measurements approx.: 30" long Comes with box IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This item is a pre-owned vintage piece and may s...
Vintage CHANEL Chocolate Bar Turnlock Leather Belt Silver Hardware
By Chanel
Located in Bangkok, TH
This vintage Chanel chocolate bar belt is crafted of lambskin leather in square quilted pattern featuring a black enameled silver toned CC turnlock. Stamped Chanel 02P made in Italy....
Unavailable|$1,425
CHANEL Vintage Red Leather Gold Chain Link CC Logo Belt
By Chanel
Located in Bellevue, WA
DETAILS: Made in France Signed CHANEL Gold Plated Clasp closure Measurements approx.: 28" long Comes with box IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This item is a pre-owned vintage piece and may s...
Hermès 18mm Reversible Black x Brown x Gold H Logo Thin Belt Kit 930h17
By Hermès
Located in Dix hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: A in a Square Made In: France Measurements: Length: 33.5" Width: .1" Height: .75" OVERALL GOOD+ CONDITION ( 7.25/10 or B+ ) Waist Circumference in Inch...
Vintage funky red sunglasses - Made in France - 1990 - BOZ
Located in Paris, FR
Boz Vintage Glasses – 1990s Step into the vibrant and creative spirit of the 1990s with this Boz frame, an iconic French brand celebrated for its boldness and artisanal craftsmanshi...
Unavailable|$1,895
Chanel Vintage Gold Chain ID Plate and CC Coin Necklace/Belt
By Chanel
Located in Bellevue, WA
DETAILS: Hallmark: CHANEL Made in France Gold Plated The belt is in good condition showing minimal wear Measurements approx.: Length 28" Comes with box IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This i...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Tortoise Resin and Brass Waist Hip Belt
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in North Miami, FL
This tagged lovely vintage french waist / hip belt by Yves Saint Laurent is circles and squares of tortoise resin set with brass connectors and hardwar...
BARRY KISELSTEIN-CORD Nude Alligator Belt Goldtone Sterling Frog Buckle Large
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage Barry Kiselstein-Cord belt is composed of a nude alligator with gold-tone sterling silver hardware. Features a frog buckle with adjustabl...
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 ...