Vintage Signed KENNETH LANE Shrimp Brooch 2.5 Emerald Eye Couture Statement Pin
A brilliant and whimsical masterpiece: an authentic, signed Kenneth Jay Lane (KJL) shrimp brooch. This large-scale 1980s/90s statement piece showcases the "bold and beautiful" aesthetic that made KJL the preferred jeweler for royalty and fashion icons.
Motif: A sculptural, segmented shrimp featuring sleek black enamel and gold-tone ridges. Stonework: The head and tail are encrusted with brilliant, hand-set pavé clear crystals. It is finished with two shimmering emerald green cabochon eyes. Metalwork: Heavy-cast construction with a rich, textured gold-tone finish on the reverse.
Excellent Condition: The black enamel is smooth and 100% intact. All pavé crystals are original and bright. The gold-tone plating is crisp with no signs of wear. Functionality: The original rollover safety clasp is straight and holds securely. Meet the Designer: Kenneth Jay Lane (KJL). "The King of Costume Jewelry" Kenneth Jay Lane was a revolutionary force in American fashion.Starting his career at Delman shoes and Christian Dior, he launched his own jewelry line in 1963 with the radical idea that "fabulous" didn't have to mean real. He famously believed that costume jewelry should be a bold fashion statement, not just an imitation of fine gems. The "Jeweler to the Icons": Lane's client list read like a Who's Who of the 20th century. His designs were personally commissioned and worn by. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (who often had KJL recreate her "real" Harry Winston pieces in costume so she could wear them safely).
The Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson. Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. Princess Diana and Nancy Reagan. Exotic Inspirations: Lane was famous for his "Fantasy" animals, often drawing inspiration from Southeast Asian, Indian, and African art.
The "Conversation Piece": A Kenneth Jay Lane brooch is designed to be noticed. His work remains a staple in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution.