Ciner Frog Belt Buckle / 2 Leather Belts Never Worn - 1990s
About the Item
- Brand:Ciner
- Dimensions:Length: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Leather, Gilt Metal
- Condition:Purchased, never worn.
- Seller Location:Wallkill, NY
- Reference Number:
Ciner
What defines “fine” jewelry? For many aficionados, there’s a clear line separating the golden wheat from the gilded chaff. But the handcrafted pieces made by Ciner, a 128-year-old costume jewelry house with a glittering past to rival some of the hautest high jewelers, call into question our notions of what constitutes preciousness.
Quality? Craftsmanship? Painstaking detail? Vintage Ciner earrings, brooches, necklaces and other accessories have them all in spades.
Much of the Ciner’s allure can be traced to its origins in fine jewelry. Emanuel Ciner, an Austrian immigrant, founded the firm in Manhattan in 1892, crafting pieces from the traditional precious gems, gold and platinum. But World War I and the Great Depression caused purse strings to tighten and materials to become scarce. Rather than try to weather the economic downturn, which shuttered many other American jewelers, Ciner made the risky transition from fine jewelry to costume (or fashion) jewelry — virtually uncharted territory.
Emanuel Ciner’s sons, Irwin and Charles, introduced an array of innovations — rubber casting molds, which are especially durable and produce higher quality results, and white metal alloys, which affordably mimic the look of more precious materials — that would become the standard for costume jewelry. During World War II, Ciner’s advanced molding technology was utilized by the U.S. military to produce munitions and tools. This arrangement gave the firm access to the heavily rationed metals it needed for its jewels, enabling it again to endure conditions that drove others into bankruptcy.
The company hit its stride in the 1960s, when its jewelry was sold at some of the country’s toniest stores, even garnering an Andy Warhol–illustrated ad for Bonwit Teller. Its pieces were worn by the era’s brightest stars. In the famous 1957 Joe Shere photo of Sophia Loren sneering at Jayne Mansfield’s décolletage, Mansfield is resplendent in shoulder-grazing Ciner earrings.
Ciner is unique among costume jewelers in that its pieces aren’t imitations — they are coveted in their own right. Elizabeth Taylor, a voracious jewelry collector with a taste for the very finest, was a longtime client. Several suites of Ciner jewels were included in the 2011 Christie’s sale of Taylor’s collection, with one group of rhinestone-studded ear clips and a bracelet fetching $15,600 — more than 100 times the auction estimate. It’s a reminder of a time, not so long ago, when women of great style wore fine and costume jewelry with equal aplomb, often at the same time.
Today, Ciner — now run by Emanuel Ciner’s granddaughter Pat Ciner Hill and great-granddaughter Jean Hill — continues to adhere to the same exacting production specifications. It is the only jewelry house in New York, and likely the United States, that manufactures all its pieces entirely in-house. Each begins with dozens of elements that are cast in rubber molds and then individually filed and polished, plated in a particularly thick layer of 18-karat gold or rhodium, assembled on the bench and painted with enamel or set with stones. Every step is performed by hand by craftsmen, many of whom have been with the company for more than 30 years.
Find vintage Ciner clip-on earrings, choker necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Wallkill, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Sterling Silver Navajo Turquoise Belt Buckle w/ Leather BeltLocated in Wallkill, NYHere you have a Sterling Silver Multi Gemstone Horse Belt Buckle with features Turquoise, Jet and Mother of Pearl on a Leather Dan Post Belt. Belt is...Category
1970s American Belts
- Gucci Leather King Crown Belt New, Never Worn 1990sBy GucciLocated in Wallkill, NYRich brown leather with Red background material depicting a king's Crown. Labeled 85-34. Has Gold tone Hardware Measuring 1.15 inches wide. It's 35 inches long 1st belt hole at 31.5 ...Category
1990s Italian Belts
- Sterling Silver Native American ZUNI Kachina Inlaid Belt BuckleLocated in Wallkill, NYStunning Kachina Zuni Belt Buckle with Inlaid Mother of pearl, Coral, Turquoise, Shell, Abalone. Hallmarked on the back side. Measuring 2.75 in x 3.00...Category
1970s American Belts
- Sterling Silver Leather Navajo Concho Belt OLD PAWN Native AmericanLocated in Wallkill, NYStunning Navajo Concho Belt with 9 Concho's and a Large Belt Buckle. Expertly Hand made by a Navajo silversmith. measuring 2.72 in x 2.88 in. belt...Category
1950s American Belts
- Sterling Silver Native American Turquoise and Coral Belt Buckle by VandeverLocated in Wallkill, NYThis stunning piece made by Navajo artisan Vandever is made up of huge pieces of Turquoise and coral. This measures 3.53 x 2.88 inches and Hallmarked on the back. This is out of a ma...Category
1940s American Belts
- Persian Enamel Belt Hand Painted Indo Art Tile Silver BeltLocated in Wallkill, NYStunning Hand Painted Tile Belt - Each tile with its silver frame measures 1 inch by 3/4 inch. Measures 29 in long - This rare estate piece is truly a "work of art". Please be sure t...Category
1940s Indonesian Belts
- Chanel Red Leather Belt, 1990-2000s Pristine Condition, Never Worn.By ChanelLocated in Buchanan, MIChanel Red Leather Belt, 1990-2000s Pristine Condition, Never Worn. Red Leather Buckel With Chanel Stamp.Category
20th Century Belts
- Chanel Gold-Tone Horse Riding Motif Medallion Necklace Belt, 1990sBy ChanelLocated in Praha 2, Hlavní město PrahaChanel gold-tone horse riding motif medallion necklace belt, made in France, 1990s. The belt is stamped. Very classic and great for everyday wear. Origin: France Size: total length ...Category
1990s French Belts
- Coco Chanel Early Poured Glass Sea Serpent BeltBy ChanelLocated in Riverdale, NYCoco Chanel Early Poured Glass Haute Couture Belt. Designed as a series of swag chains with emerald poured glass stations. Classically Baroque in the Chanel idiom with sea serpent...Category
1960s French Baroque Revival Belts
- CoCo Chanel Haute Couture Lion BeltBy ChanelLocated in Riverdale, NYCoCo Chanel early chain belt composed of signature curb chain with classic signature lions head motifs terminating in an adjustable pendant tassel. Coco Chanel synthesizes her favor...Category
1960s French Belts
- D&G Chain Belt "Fate l'amore non la guerra" S/S 2003By D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Venezia, ITD&G Chain Belt "Fate l'amore non la guerra" S/S 2003 Measures: Length 103cm Materials: Leather / Chain Conditions: Very Good. - NO RETURN! If you need more information, please contac...Category
Early 2000s Italian Belts
- Gucci Icaro Belt Saffron Suede Leather Gold HardwareBy GucciLocated in DOUBLE BAY, NSWBrand: Gucci Product: Icaro Belt Size: 90 L X 2 H Cm Colour: Saffron Material: Suede & Smooth Leather Hardware: Aged Gold-Tone Condition: Pristine; New Or Never Worn Ac...Category
2010s Belts