Kenneth Lane KJL SUBLIME Gold Plated MALTESE CROSS Vtg Earrings~Book Piece~MINT

Description

View Kenneth Lane KJL SUBLIME Gold Plated MALTESE CROSS Vtg Earrings~Book Piece~MINT with current marketplace pricing, condition, product images and item details. The Maltese Cross has served as an inspiration for designers of both fine and fashion jewelry for decades. The bracelets, created for Coco Chanel's personal collection, appear on her wrists in both formal and casual photos. 💎 KENNETH JAY LANE : The Man, The Legend, the Jewelry! 💎 The mere name of KENNETH JAY LANE often evokes sighs of wistful admiration from wearers, lovers and collectors of high-end designer fashion jewelry all around the world! Kenneth was a man with a rare gift for designing jewelry that appeals to ladies of all types and from all cultures as his seemingly boundless diversity in the realm of personal creativity enabled him to create an endless variety of designs, including Art Deco creations and pieces inspired by nature, animals, mythology, astrology, fairy tales, history, and much more. As an individual, Kenneth was a man of suave elegance and singular wit who had a highly developed aesthetic sense as well as an understanding of a need for jewelry that could be acquired without spending hundreds of thousands of dollars yet without sacrificing style, quality, or beauty. When speaking of his unique designs in an interview with The Times in 1993, Kenneth said, "I think it's called 'having the eye.' It's not necessarily reinventing the wheel." Although Kenneth Jay Lane would later count such famous and fashionable ladies as The Duchess of Windsor, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Diana and Nancy Reagan among both his friends as well as his star-studded clientele, his beginnings were far from affluent. Kenneth was the son of an automotive parts supplier who developed a deep and abiding love of fashion while still a boy. Although he later confessed to wanting "the best of everything," Kenneth was a self-made and self-taught man who transformed himself from a seemingly average "nobody" into a jet-setting businessman fully capable of mixing and mingling with the creme de la creme of high society. Considering the nearly unprecedented success as a jewelry designer that Kenneth Jay Lane ultimately experienced, it is ironic that his jewelry designing began as a hobby or "sideline." Although he had begun designing jewelry in his spare time, Kenneth was a shoe designer for over a decade, and even commuted to Paris to study with Roger Vivier (who famously designed the shoes the legendary French actress and icon Catherine Deneuve wore in "Belle de Jour") while working for Christian Dior. It was when Kenneth was hired to design bejeweled shoes - many with rhinestone toes and heels - for an Arnold Scaasi show that Kenneth's affinity for working with gemstones was publicly noticed. In 1962, Kenneth Jay Lane began designing his own jewelry collection and, within a few years,his designs could be found in and were being sold by most of the Fifth Avenue stores. Kenneth Jay Lane's collaboration with the Duchess of Winsdor - a collaboration that resulted in the creation of some of Kenneth's most collectible designs -is just one of many notable achievements. He also worked closely with the legendary Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, creating replicas of pieces she owned that were originally from such posh jewelry stores as Cartier and Van Cleef and Arpels. There are several books devoted to Kenneth Jay Lane's jewelry, jncluding his best-selling memoir, "Faking It," a book Kenneth co-authored with Harrice Simons Miller. Kenneth, who was a benefactor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was honored when, in 2007, the museum named a room of European Orientalist paintings after him that was part of its renovated galleries of 19th and early 20th Century European paintings. Although, sadly, Kenneth Jay Lane passed away in 2017, his legend lives on through the legacy of his extraordinary jewelry. Kenneth's ingenious designs continue to be worn, cherished and collected by women around the world, including many of today's most famous style and fashion icons such as Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga, Madonna, and 'Sex and the City" Fashionista Sarah Jessica Parker. ✝️ MALTESE CROSS: History, Symbolism & Cultural Significance ✝️ The MALTESE CROSS is a cross symbol consisting of four "V" or arrow head-shaped concave quadrilaterals converging at a central vertex at right angles, two tips pointing outward symmetrically. It is a heraldic cross variant which developed from earlier forms of eight-pointed crosses in the 16th Century. The Maltese Cross owes its origins to the crosses used in the crusades when it was identified as a symbol of the "Christian" warrior. It is chiefly associated with the Order of the Knights Hospitaliers of St. John, also known as the Knights of Malta. Historical records indicate that the The Knights of Malta, who ruled the Malta Islands between 1530 and 1798, officially adopted the Maltese Cross as their symbol as early as 1126. The eight points of the cross denote the eight obligations or aspirations of the Knights - namely, to live in truth, have faith, repent of one's sins, give proof of humility, love justice, be merciful, be sincere and wholehearted and to endure persecution. In 1888, Queen Victoria recognized the Order of St. John (Knights of Malta), and acknowledged the importance of the charitable work they were accomplishing. Today, the Order of St. John spans over 40 countries and continues carrying out its charitable work on a global level. In addition to its fascinating historical and cultural significance, the Maltese Cross is said to be a symbol of such highly esteemed virtues as truth, humility, courage, and honor. It is also believed to provide protection to those wearing it. Nowadays, the Maltese Cross is widely used and associated with Malta as a country, used by the national airline Air Malta as part of its livery, and even even featured in Maltese Euro coins. The Maltese Cross has served as an inspiration for designers of both fine and fashion jewelry for decades. Historically, men would wear white Maltese Crosses and women would wear bejeweled crosses. Noteworthy examples of famous Maltese Cross and Maltese-cross inspired jewelry include the Maltese Cross brooches designed by Fulco Santostefano della Cerda also known as The Duke of Verdura. These brooches, featuring multi-colored semi-precious stones, were inspired by the Duke of Verdura's childhood, which was spent in Sicily not far from the Amalfi coast and the Island of Malta. The brooches were gifted to fashion editor Extraordinaire Diana Vreeland, a close friend of the Duke who was also friends with his romantic partner, the legendary fashion and style icon Coco Chanel. It is said that Diana Vreeland played a major role in bringing Coco Chanel and the Duke together. Later, the Duke of Verdura turned to the Maltese Cross for inspiration yet again when he designed a pair of white enamel bracelets featuring Maltese Crosses. The bracelets, created for Coco Chanel's personal collection, appear on her wrists in both formal and casual photos. They were among her favorite pieces of jewelry. Through the years, countless variations of the Maltese Cross cuffs, which were originally designed by the Duke of Verdura in 1930, have been created. The most luxurious version of the iconic cuffs was the "Theodora Cuffs." Inspired by the Duke of Verdura's visit to the Byzantine mosiac of Empress Theodora in the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna decades earlier alongside his famous girlfriend and lover, Coco Chanel, they were created to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Verdura's company, which first opened its doors in New York City in 1939. Several well-known celebrities are fans and wearers of what has been come to be known as the "Verdura cuff," including such famous and fashionable ladies as Brooke Shields, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Sofia Coppola. The Maltese Cross continues to be extremely popular in various forms of jewelry, particularly brooches, bracelets and earrings. Illustrious luxury jewelry design houses such as Tiffany's and Co. have turned to the Maltese Cross as inspiration for some of their most iconic pieces, including the visionary designs they created in collaboration with the legendary French jewelry designer Jean Schlumberger. ☆ITEM DESCRIPTION☆ (FEATURED in Nancy Schiffer's book, "FABULOUS," a book dedicated to Kenneth Jay Lane & His Extraordinary Jewelry and Accessories) Opulent 22K yellow gold plated metal, sparkling simulated white diamonds and ornate filigree work merge to create a pair of Maltese Cross earrings that is truly DAZZLING! Each earring has been crafted with the meticulous skill and artisan level of workmanship that is a hallmark of Kenneth Jay Lane's one-of-a-kind jewelry. The magnificently constructed Maltese crosses, so rich in symbolism, are given layers of dimension thanks to all of the open filigree work that Kenneth has incorporated into the earrings. The prong-set white "diamonds" (made from the finest Austrian Swarovski crystals) are strategically placed on the four corners of the cross, lending significance to the four arms of a Maltese Cross representing the four Cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. With so many pieces of jewelry being beautiful to look at yet, at the same time, merely decorative in nature, the fact that there is so much meaningful symbolism connected with the Maltese Cross lends an element of the extraordinary to these stunning earrings! If you are a lady who not only loves exceptional designer jewelry but also likes jewelry with a message behind it, these earrings are a MUST for your jewelry wardrobe. The measurements are as follows: Approximately 1 1/4 inches in width and approximately 1 1/4 inches in length. These earrings are SIGNED/STAMPED and are in MINT condition, showing no visible signs of wear. Like so many of the pieces of Kenneth Jay Lane's jewelry that we offer here at the Visionary Fashionista, these earrings are from the personal ESTATE of a well-known film and television star who was an avid collector of Kenneth Jay Lane's jewelry. Only ONE PAIR of these earrings is available! ☆Please Note☆ The majority of the items we offer here at the Visionary Fashionista are unique and rare and many are extremely difficult to find. We are delighted to have procured much of our selection from the estates of film and television stars, fashion models, socialites and other celebrities. Unless otherwise noted, specific names and further details are omitted out of respect for the celebrities' families and legacies. Keep in mind that we generally only have ONE of each item! We mention this not only to emphasize the rarity of our items but also because we do not want anyone too disappointed when we are unable to offer a duplicate of an item once it is sold. ☆SHIPPING POLICIES, SHIPPING CHARGES, & INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING☆ All of my items are shipped to my customers within 3 business days of receiving payment. Please note that this does not include weekends. It is our policy here at the Visionary Fashionista to ship all of our items via USPS Priority Mail, and, on rare occasions, via Fedex. We strive to ensure that the shipping charges we ask our customers to pay do not exceed what it costs us to mail our packages to our customers. Our top priority is that our one-of-a-kind items arrive at their destination safely and soundly. As for my highly valued International Buyers, we subscribe to Ebay's Global Shipping Program here at The Visionary Fashionista, which makes it possible for our items to have worldwide availability. 💎 Shopping with the Visionary Fashionista 💎 For more breathtaking jewelry by legendary designers as well as exceptional designer clothing and accessories in the days, weeks, and months to come, follow my Ebay Store, Visionary Fashionista! I guarantee that ALL of the items I offer are 100% AUTHENTIC and customer service and satisfaction is my TOP priority! Here's to finding, developing and embracing your Inner Fashionista! Sascha (the Visionary Fashionista) 🌹 https://visionaryfashionista.com Condition: Pre-owned - Good. Category: Jewelry & Watches › Vintage & Antique Jewelry › Earrings. Brand: Kenneth Jay Lane.

Brand

Kenneth Jay Lane

Type

Earrings

Shape

Cross

Signed

Yes

Color

Gold

Style

Statement

Base Metal

Gold

Metal

Yellow Gold Plated

Jewelry Department

Fashion

Vintage

Yes

Main Stone

White Diamond (simulated)