Ciner 1970s Panther Knocker Hinge Bracelet
View Similar Items
Ciner 1970s Panther Knocker Hinge Bracelet
About the Item
Ciner
What defines “fine” jewelry? For many aficionados, there’s a clear line separating the golden wheat from the gilded chaff. But the handcrafted pieces made by Ciner, a 128-year-old costume jewelry house with a glittering past to rival some of the hautest high jewelers, call into question our notions of what constitutes preciousness.
Quality? Craftsmanship? Painstaking detail? Vintage Ciner earrings, brooches, necklaces and other accessories have them all in spades.
Much of the Ciner’s allure can be traced to its origins in fine jewelry. Emanuel Ciner, an Austrian immigrant, founded the firm in Manhattan in 1892, crafting pieces from the traditional precious gems, gold and platinum. But World War I and the Great Depression caused purse strings to tighten and materials to become scarce. Rather than try to weather the economic downturn, which shuttered many other American jewelers, Ciner made the risky transition from fine jewelry to costume (or fashion) jewelry — virtually uncharted territory.
Emanuel Ciner’s sons, Irwin and Charles, introduced an array of innovations — rubber casting molds, which are especially durable and produce higher quality results, and white metal alloys, which affordably mimic the look of more precious materials — that would become the standard for costume jewelry. During World War II, Ciner’s advanced molding technology was utilized by the U.S. military to produce munitions and tools. This arrangement gave the firm access to the heavily rationed metals it needed for its jewels, enabling it again to endure conditions that drove others into bankruptcy.
The company hit its stride in the 1960s, when its jewelry was sold at some of the country’s toniest stores, even garnering an Andy Warhol–illustrated ad for Bonwit Teller. Its pieces were worn by the era’s brightest stars. In the famous 1957 Joe Shere photo of Sophia Loren sneering at Jayne Mansfield’s décolletage, Mansfield is resplendent in shoulder-grazing Ciner earrings.
Ciner is unique among costume jewelers in that its pieces aren’t imitations — they are coveted in their own right. Elizabeth Taylor, a voracious jewelry collector with a taste for the very finest, was a longtime client. Several suites of Ciner jewels were included in the 2011 Christie’s sale of Taylor’s collection, with one group of rhinestone-studded ear clips and a bracelet fetching $15,600 — more than 100 times the auction estimate. It’s a reminder of a time, not so long ago, when women of great style wore fine and costume jewelry with equal aplomb, often at the same time.
Today, Ciner — now run by Emanuel Ciner’s granddaughter Pat Ciner Hill and great-granddaughter Jean Hill — continues to adhere to the same exacting production specifications. It is the only jewelry house in New York, and likely the United States, that manufactures all its pieces entirely in-house. Each begins with dozens of elements that are cast in rubber molds and then individually filed and polished, plated in a particularly thick layer of 18-karat gold or rhodium, assembled on the bench and painted with enamel or set with stones. Every step is performed by hand by craftsmen, many of whom have been with the company for more than 30 years.
Find vintage Ciner clip-on earrings, choker necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Kenneth Jay Lane Embellished BraceletBy Kenneth LaneLocated in Scottsdale, AZKennth Lane is one of the most known jewelry designers in the United States and put intricate detail into this statement bracelet. Details feature a white and emerald green crystal e...Category
Mid-20th Century American Clamper Bracelets
- 18K Gold Cartier Love Inspired Silver BraceletLocated in Scottsdale, AZIndulge in luxurious sophistication with the 18K Gold Cartier Love Inspired Silver Bracelet. This exquisite piece captures the essence of timeless elegance, featuring a 925 silver cl...Category
1990s Italian Clamper Bracelets
Materials18k Gold, Silver
- Yves Saint Laurent 1990s Faux Sapphire Pearl Clamper BraceletBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Scottsdale, AZIntroducing the Yves Saint Laurent 1990s Faux Sapphire Pearl Clamper Bracelet, a glamorous and captivating accessory that perfectly captures ...Category
1990s Clamper Bracelets
- Fendi Snakeskin Silver Tone BraceletBy FendiLocated in Scottsdale, AZElevate your wrist game with the epitome of classic elegance and edgy sophistication—the Fendi Snakeskin Silver Tone Bracelet. This silver tone clamper bracelet isn't just an accesso...Category
2010s Italian Clamper Bracelets
- Hermes Clic Clac H Black Enamel Gold Plated BraceletBy HermèsLocated in Scottsdale, AZIndulge in iconic style with the Hermes Clic Clac H Black Enamel Gold Plated Bracelet – a versatile and timeless accessory that adds a touch of luxury to your ensemble. This bracelet...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsGold Plate, Enamel
- Chanel 2001 Leather 'Coco' CuffBy ChanelLocated in Scottsdale, AZAccessorize your next look with this adorable Chanel cuff! Circa 2001 from their F/W collection, this cuff is crafted from black leather and features 'COCO' in bold grey letters, gol...Category
Early 2000s French Cuff Bracelets
- Biedermeier Garnet Bracelet, circa 1830Located in Berlin, DEBiedermeier garnet bracelet around 1830 Silver-plated garnet gold bracelet, densely set with three rows of Bohemian garnet stones. 162 gemstones give this bracelet a noble glow of by...Category
Antique 1830s German Early Victorian Clamper Bracelets
MaterialsGarnet
- Beatrice Barzaghi Diamond Pave White Gold Ethereal Delicate Cuff BraceletBy Beatrice Barzaghi MilanoLocated in Milan, ITThe Gemini Alessandra bracelet is made of 18 karat white gold and features around 0.96 carats, F-G vvs-vs, n. 155 brilliant cut round diamonds. It is CAD designed by Italian designer...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Major Chanel Black Resin Cuff with Rhinestones from the 2009 Cruise CollectionBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis important Chanel black resin and rhinestone cuff was released as part of the 2009 cruise collection. It is in excellent vintage condition and is simply stunning. What a wonderful item to show off in. It gives new meaning to the phrase "if you've got it flaunt it." Hinged on one side and stays closed with a small, round, hidden magnetic clasp on the inside. This oval shaped cuff fits a small to medium size wrist. Measures 2.13 inches wide (north to south). Marked CHANEL 09C...Category
Early 2000s French Cuff Bracelets
- Chanel Black Resin 3 Button Cuff Bracelet 2018 Fall CollectionBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis outstanding, chic black resin Chanel cuff makes a big statement. The three gold tone buttons are highlighted with the CC logo in the cente...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsGold Plate
- Chanel Bold and Riveting Gold Tone Cuff with Chrome Rivets 2 1/8 In. Wide- 2016By ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis very stylish Chanel cuff is crafted from satin finish gold tone metal with high polish chrome rivets over it's entire surface. It's a perfect example of chic, contemporary style...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsBase Metal
- Very Showy Large Designer Cadoro Clam Shell With Coral Clamper Cuff BraceletBy CadoroLocated in Tustin, CAA very stately and showy vintage 1980’s Designer Cadoro large clam shell and coral motif dimensional cuff bracelet in rich 24 Karat gold finish with touches of rubbed silver make this bracelet a striking work of art fashion statement! Highly collectible, CADORO examples can be found exhibited in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. Cadoro, or Cadoro Jewels Corporation, was a Manhattan-based jewelry company founded in 1954 by Steven Brody and Daniel Stoenescu (aka Staneskieu), specializing in fashionable costume jewelry sold...Category
20th Century American Artisan Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsBase Metal, Mixed Metal