KENNETH JAY LANE Vintage K.J.L. Indian Influence Ruby Tahitian Pearl Moghul Marella Torsade necklace

Designer Kenneth Jay Lane tells us in his own words about these types of necklaces in his book "Faking It"

Kenneth says...

"In the middle 1960's in India there were wonderful rubies that are almost impossible to find today. About 30 years ago Marella Agnelli was fortunate emnough to purchase a marvelous Indian necklace, yards long, ofruby beads with a sparkling of emeralds. She wears the necklace constantly and in the 70's she asked me to do a version of it for her. I have done that stye of necklace in many materisl mixing rubies and emeralds and any other gems that come to mind.

I had ruby and emerald beads made of a very special glass in the town of Surat on the Arabian Sea, eventually when they'd arrive (sometime after a year of letter writing) I'd make necklaces which for all the world and particularlly in the right light, looked like Marella's. The first one was worn by Tatiana Liberman, the wonderful Russian wife of Alexander Liberman, the creative director of Conde' Naste and Renaissance man, artist, sculptor, writer and photographer, who as I mentioned before, gave me my first job at Vogue when I came out of school.

Years later, I gave a similar necklace---with slight improvements---to Annette de la Renta, when I was staying with her and Oscar in the Dominican Republic. I had since learned how to make a certain clasp whereby necklaces of various lengths could be attached to each other to create one great, long Sautoir. After that Oscar used these necklaces in his collection, wound around the neck several times, or draped down the front of the gown, even to below the waist. Every woman wanted one. " See the Photo of the model wearing this type necklace in the 1990 Oscar de la Renta Fall 1990 Collection show.

This necklace measures 35 inches open and untwisted, it shortens with every twist.
Each section is 18 inches long untwisted.
The two segments can be worn as one long necklace as shown in the photo inspired by the original necklaces Kenneth was inspred by in India, or can be worn as a very small choker and wrapped bracelet, or stacked torsade as shown in the black and white photo from "Faking It".


This has a fabulous look! Can be worn casual Boho Chic or Met Gala formal style.
It is unsigned, in very good vintage condition with some wear to the clasp.
Naturally this was someones favorite so there is age appropriate wear on the clasp.
I might have this gold leafed if it were staying in my collection.
This necklace is made of hand made glass beads so it does have "Weight" to it.

Please see photos for closer view.
Please see the video for the working of the clasp.

All items are shipped USPS priority mail signature required, fully insured upon completion of financial transaction.

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All product photos are of the actual item.
Colors may differ slightly from actual product appearance due to differences in products and lighting conditions.
Please contact me if you have specific additional photo requests as photos are part of the description.

Read about Vintage Bakelite and ME in the Pioneer Woman Magazine, Spring Issue here:

https://photos.imageevent.com/kimlovesvintage/pioneerwomanbakelitearticle/ArticlePDF.pdf