Kentshire had already established
itself as one of the world's leading dealers in antique
furniture when, in the early 1980s, sisters-in-law Ellen Israel
and Marcie Imberman joined their husbands in the family firm. Under
their aegis, Kentshire has become equally renowned for antique, period,
and estate jewelry. The same high standards guide both collections:
excellence in workmanship, authenticity, and design. On the jewelry
side, Imberman and Israel add to these criteria an eye for contemporary
fashion and wearability.
The Kentshire collection is especially strong in Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco styles, but the owners embrace great jewelry of all periods. It is displayed in a richly appointed Victorian drawing room on one of Kentshire's eight floors, a setting that belies the fashion-forward attitude of the partners.
Imberman and Israel know that their clients are stylish, successful women who purchase antique and estate jewelry for its enduring and distinctive appearance. "I've always thought that the self-assured woman wants an individual look," says Israel. "For them, the right piece of jewelry is as essential an accessory as the right pair of shoes or handbag." To this, Imberman adds, "Jewelry shouldn't dominate what a woman wears, but its role can be vital in anchoring a dress or enlivening a suit."
Respected authorities in their field, Imberman and Israel have appeared on television and have lectured on antique jewelry at the Costume Council of the Los Angeles County Art Museum, at the American Society of Jewelry Historians, and on board the QEII, among others venues. Their jewelry was on display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibit From Queen To Empress: Victorian Dress 1837-1877. In addition, it has been featured in films and worn by some of the most famous women in fashion, film, and television.
Imberman and Israel believe that one can collect jewelry at any level, from "costume to Castellani," and build up what they call "a jewelry wardrobe." It is their hope that the selected examples of Kentshire jewelry on this site will entice users to visit the gallery in person and to register for special events.