Kenneth Jay Lane and his Ethnic Inspirations

Kenneth Jay Lane photographed by Snowdon in the 1970s

Kenneth Jay Lane was born in 1930 in Detriot, MI. He founded his costume jewelry company in 1963. His designs were so popular that his initial collection at Saks Fifth Avenue sold out in one day. Lane's jewelry has been worn by Diana Vreeland, Jaqueline Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Diana the Princess of Wales. Lane has appeared in Andy Warhol films, was mentioned in a song by Lou Reed and appeared on numbers of Best Dresses Lists.

Jacqueline Kennedy wearing the now famous three-strand faux pearl necklace designed by Lane

One of Lane's best known pieces is the three-strand imitation pearl necklace that was worn by Jacqueline Kennedy. In addition to the ladylike jewelry that he created, Lane was also known for the ethnically influenced jewelry he made.

Kenneth Jay Lane 1960s Whale Necklace

One big influence was the Pre-Columbian jewelry from Central and South America that he saw in museum collections in Lima, Peru, Mexico City, and the Met Museum in New York.

Kenneth Jay Lane 1960s Pre-Columbian Deity Ring

He loved the pure gold that was used and the pieces' naturalistic forms which could be very simple or more complex and have the ferocious likeness of animal or birdlike gods.

Kenneth Jay Lane 1970s Pendant Necklace

Lane was inspired by many types of ethnic jewelry from all over the world. He sometimes found it difficult to pinpoint exactly where his influences came from.

Kenneth Jay Lane 1970s Pendant Necklace 

Kenneth Jay Lane 1970s Paisley Earrings

This caused him to invent his own "tribes" and to create jewelry for them.

Kenneth Jay Lane 1970s Necklace

On page 70 of Lane's book, Faking It he said, "I have taken great liberties with these (ethnic) motifs and used them in or out of their original context, to create fanciful earrings, pendants, bracelets, and even rings. I hope that the gods of the Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas do not become angry with me for creating my own deities."

**All jewelry featured in this post is available at space519 through February.