Kenneth Jay Lane Glass Pearl Torsade With Bow

NWS 4-1479

~ I guess if you spend some time wandering around my web site, you'll see that I love the history of the jewelry as much as the jewelry itself. Sometimes we forget there went women before us who paved the way with their inventive originality. Film star, Loretta Young, was one of the first - if not THE first - to turn a necklace around and wear the clasp in the front. This was in the 1930's, back in a time where jewelry was made with such exquisite craftsmanship that the parts unseen were made as beautiful as the parts seen. The necklace clasps weren't made to be seen, but they were nevertheless made with extraordinary perfection. Certainly, Loretta was inspired.

~ This caught on, and 40 years later, Kenneth Lane was designing necklaces with clasps that were made not only to be seen, but to be featured. This necklace is a perfect example. Called a "torsade" which means "many strands", this whopper is made with 8 strands of white glass pearls. Each strand contains pearls of different sizes than the next, and all terminate in the golden bow clasp. These ain't your grandma's pearls!

~ The bow clasp measures 2.5" wide and makes a statement that can't be missed, even if you decide to wear it in the back (that would be pretty sexy). All 8 strands are anchored in the bow, with a hidden hook and loop underneath.

Loretta Young, seen at left with David Niven, on the cover of "Picturegoer Magazine". On the right, on the cover of "Gentlewoman", May, 1937. Note her torsade with matching bracelet.

~ This beautiful necklace can be worn twisted or straight. The longest strand measures 18".

~ Signed on the reverse "Kenneth © Lane" inside an oval plaque.

c. 1980, best guess, in excellent condition. Oh yeah, and did I mention that all the strands are knotted to either side of each individual pearl? Now, that's quality!

Price =  $365.00  Safe Shopping Guarantee  nex 3, k-p

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