Vintage Large Kenneth Jay Lane Bee and Rose Cream Enamel Earrings, 1980s
About the Item
- Creator:Kenneth Jay Lane (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)Width: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)Depth: 0.3 in (7.62 mm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5828233613962
Kenneth Jay Lane
The father of so-called “fabulous fakes,” Kenneth Jay Lane was a spirited innovator within the jewelry industry, designing elegant and luxurious pieces without the use of real jewels. And while Lane aspired to create classic designs for earrings, bracelets and necklaces intended for everyday wear, his pieces caught the attention of celebrities, royalty and socialites.
From a young age, the Detroit, Michigan-born Lane was a lover of fashion. He studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and the University of Michigan. He pursued a design career in New York City, and a failed start in the art department of Vogue magazine led to a decade of designing shoes for the likes of Delman and Christian Dior.
Lane would occasionally develop shoe designs for friends he had in the fashion world such as Bill Blass and Arnold Scaasi. A show for the latter afforded him the opportunity to beautify shoes with rhinestones and create bangles and earrings to pair with the footwear — he found plastic bracelets at discount variety store and had them embellished by craftspeople at a shoe factory.
A love for costume jewelry design emerged thereafter. Lane created his own collection and admirers such as Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor showered him with praise. A pearl necklace he designed was worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In the early 1960s, ready-to-wear pioneer Hattie Carnegie purchased Lane’s jewelry line. Lane was given the position of design director for Carnegie but he soon changed course, moving instead into a small studio and pursuing his own path.
Lane worked with milk glass, gilded silver hardware, faux coral and other materials, and sold pendant necklaces, dangle earrings and modern bracelets to private customers. He was fond of renowned fine jewelry houses Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels and designers such as Jean Schlumberger, and cited having found inspiration in Egyptian and Indian jewelry over the years as well as Art Deco jewelry. Lane’s designs, which he called “faque” and “junque,” became well-known for their distinctive color combinations and clever characteristics such as embroidery. By the time he purchased a small jewelry factory in Providence, Rhode Island, where his accessories would be made during the 1960s, Lane had secured relationships with top Manhattan boutiques and his work had caught the attention of fashion magazines.
Directed by the filmmaker Gisèle Roman, a 2018 documentary about Lane’s life and work called Fabulously Fake: The Real Life of Kenneth Jay Lane features interviews with legendary fashion designers Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch and Diane von Furstenberg.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Kenneth Jay Lane brooches, rings and other accessories.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Vintage MCM 1960s Kenneth Jay Lane Nautical Rope Twist Cuff BraceletBy Kenneth Jay LaneLocated in New York, NYBold, large vintage KJL nautical knot rope twist cuff bracelet. Spring opening Signed KJL From the collection of an East Hampton socialite, daughter o...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage 1980s Escada Poured Resin Blackened Silver Metal Flower EarringsBy EscadaLocated in New York, NYStylish vintage 1980s Escada earrings in fine silvery tones, the poured resin of an elegant silvery grey hue and lovely depth, well detailed, in a beautifully made blackened silver m...Category
20th Century French Organic Modern Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsResin
- Oversize 1980s Vintage Valentino Four-Leaf Clover Faux Pearl Crystal EarringsBy Valentino GaravaniLocated in New York, NYLarge, fabulous, statement Valentino earrings, vintage 1980s Lucky four leaf clover motif with faux mabe pearl centers, the leaves encrusted with faceted crystals. Great oversize ...Category
20th Century Italian Romantic Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsCrystal, Gold Plate
- Antique 19th Century Victorian Garnet 14K Rose Gold and Silver CrossLocated in New York, NYAntique Victorian period garnet, 14K Rose gold and silver cross pendant 19th Century Unusual trilobed antique garnet cross composed of seven large...Category
Antique 19th Century European Victorian Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsGold, Silver
- Edward F. Caldwell Gothic Style Jeweled Champleve Enamel Antique Folio CoverBy Edward F. Caldwell & Co.Located in New York, NYA very rare, fine large Edward F. Caldwell jeweled champleve enamel folio cover in the High Gothic Style. The central panel depicting a King on a white horse holding a large orb with a snake symbol, surrounded by exquisitely detailed Gothic heraldic elements and jeweled embellishments. Burgundy velvet lined interior, retaining original leather backing and spine, wear commensurate with age, ideal for a museum or private collection. Measurements: 13.63 inches high, 11 inches wide, 1 inch deep Condition: the enamel panel is in excellent condition, age appropriate wear to velvet, leather and interior pages. Please note, the enamel panel may be removed and mounted on a modern folio if desired. This piece may be framed or displayed as a decorative panel on a stand Edward F. Caldwell & Co was established in 1895 in New York City at 31 East 17th Street and quickly became one of the premier designers and manufacturers of fine lighting and decorative objects. Their commissions included J.P. Morgan's residence, Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Vanderbilt Mansion, Henry Clay Frick residence, Harvard Club...Category
Early 20th Century American Gothic Books
MaterialsEnamel
- Large Antique Russian Icon Resurrection and Great Feast Days, 18th-19th CenturyLocated in New York, NYLarge antique late 18th century- early 19th century Russian icon of the Resurrection with Great Feasts. Original condition with beautiful age-old patina. The central area depicting t...Category
Antique Late 18th Century Russian Religious Items
MaterialsWood
- Kenneth Jay Lane Ram's Head Necklace and EarringsBy Kenneth Jay LaneLocated in Miami, FLKenneth Jay Lane gold tone ram's head necklace and clip back earrings adorned with rhinestones. Maker's mark on all pieces, "KJL." Earrings, 1.5" x 0.75" x 0.63" H.Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsMetal, Gold Leaf
- KENNETH JAY LANE Double Ribbed Domed Clip-On EarringsBy Kenneth Jay LaneLocated in Van Nuys, CAElevate your jewelry collection with the Kenneth Jay Lane Double Ribbed Domed Clip-On Earrings, a perfect fusion of opulence and contemporary design. Crafted from luxurious gold-tone...Category
Mid-20th Century Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsGold
- Vintage KJL Kenneth J. Lane Brooch in Gold-Tone and White EnamelBy Kenneth Jay LaneLocated in Topeka, KSGorgeous vintage brooch of gold-tone and white enamel by Kenneth J. Lane. It is in wonderful condition and bears the KJL© mark making it circa 1970. This big, bold, dramatic brooc...Category
Late 20th Century Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsPlastic
- Kenneth Lane Gold Dipped Vintage Costume Necklace with EarringsBy Kenneth Jay LaneLocated in Miami, FLKenneth Lane gold dipped vintage necklace with matching clip on earrings. Marked under each ornament, Kenneth Lane, made in the USA.Category
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsMetal
- 1995 Kenneth Lane Caterpillar BroochBy Kenneth Jay LaneLocated in Ottawa, Ontario1995 Kenneth Lane Caterpillar Brooch Signed, KHL 3" in (76.2 mm) Amusing faux cabochon lapis turquoise caterpillar brooch pin, gold tone mounting. Come in it's original dust bag a...Category
1990s American Modern Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsMetal
- Lovely Blue Stone Set of Vintage Silverring and Earrings Sweden, 1980sBy N. Nordstrom 1Located in Stockholm, SEBeautiful heaven blue vintage 'Bergslagen stone' ear rings and silver ring set from Sweden 1980s. The lovely pair of ear rings are made by Opifors AB. (s...Category
Vintage 1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsSterling Silver