Kenneth Lane Gilt Leaf Pendant Necklace circa 1990s
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Style:
- Place of Origin:Unknown
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c 1990s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:University City, MO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7365258571
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: University City, MO
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Yves Saint Laurent Rare Crystal Rock Gilt Metal Necklace by Goossens c 1983By Robert Goossens for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in University City, MOYves Saint Laurent Rare crystal rock gilt metal chain necklace designed by Robert Goossens The chunky hammered link crystal rock chain necklace is designed...Category
Vintage 1980s French Modern Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsCrystal, Gilt Metal
- Yves Saint Laurent Lapis Lazuli Semi Precious Floral Pendant Necklace c 1990sBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in University City, MOYves Saint Laurent Lapis lazuli semi-precious floral pendant necklace c 1990s The stylish necklace is designed with a large scale floral pendant embellished with lapis lazuli pedals...Category
1990s Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, Enamel, Stainless Steel
- Boucheron Paris 1940s Art Deco Sterling Gold Ruby Necklace CompactBy BoucheronLocated in University City, MOBoucheron Paris 1940s Art Deco sterling, gold & ruby jeweled compact - necklace The exquisite Boucheron compact is designed with a beautiful gold pie...Category
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsRuby, Gold, Sterling Silver
- Phillipe Ferrandis Paris Glass Stone Dangling Charm Necklace c 1980sLocated in University City, MOPhillipe Ferrandis Paris Artisan glass stone dangling charm necklace c 1980s The exotic burnished silver-tone necklace is comprised of a collection of smooth glass stones, transluce...Category
Vintage 1980s French Artisan Beaded Necklaces
- Green Crystal Panther Head Tassel Necklace c. 1990sLocated in University City, MOOpulent green crystal panther head tassel necklace c. 1990s The elegant necklace is adorned with a feline head encrusted with rows of tiny pave' green ...Category
1990s Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Massive Articulated Gilt Metal Coin Bib Necklace circa 1970sLocated in University City, MOMassive articulated gilt metal coin bib necklace c 1970s The unique necklace is designed with a collection of small scale Roman style replica coins ...Category
Vintage 1970s Unknown Classical Roman Drop Necklaces
MaterialsBrass
- Celestial Necklace with Moon, Stars and Evil Eye in Vermeil GoldBy AmmaniiLocated in Beverly Hills, CAThis is a necklace from our Sa'mma = Sky collection. Inspired by the idea that the sky is a universal blanket the covers mankind and connects us all under its pillars.. Ammanii celestial necklace...Category
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsAquamarine, Zircon, Silver, Gold Plate, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
- Round Brilliant Diamond Pendant in Platinum GIA Certified 2.02 Carat D Color SI1By Tinguely BijouxLocated in Boston, MAA stunning round brilliant cut diamond pendant with diamond surround set in platinum. The center diamond weighs 2.02 carats, is assessed as D color and SI1 clarity via GIA certificat...Category
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, Platinum
- 18 Karat White Gold Chain Necklace with Rectangular Diamonds PendantLocated in Rome, IT18 karat white gold chain necklace with rectangular pendant diamonds and four round diamonds The pendant has five baguette cut diamonds and 28 round cut diamonds all around The chai...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Ladybug-Shaped Pendant and Brooch with Enamel of Various ColorsLocated in Rome, ITThe pendant in the shape of a ladybug with open wings, can be worn both as a pendant and as a brooch. The ladybug is decorated with transparent enamels of various colors. Its manufa...Category
Antique 19th Century Retro Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsEnamel
- Art Deco Style Pendant Necklace with Chrysophase, Diamonds and Onyx.By LoffredoLocated in Rome, ITArt deco style pendant necklace in Chrysophase, with brilliant cut diamonds and Onyx stone elements for decoration. The upper part of...Category
1990s Italian Art Deco Rope Necklaces
MaterialsChrysophrase, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Necklace White Gold and Diamonds, Pendants with White and Black Pearls S.S.Located in Rome, ITNecklace in 18 Kt white gold and diamonds, with 15 pendants of various sizes and designs. The pendants are in diamonds with South Sea cultured pearls. There are twelve pearls: six wh...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Black Pearl, Natural Pearl, South Sea Pearl, White Gold