ILLIAS LALAOUNIS: A SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND BROOCH Designed as...

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€3,500 - €4,000

ILLIAS LALAOUNIS: A SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND BROOCH Designed as a mythical sea creature, of textured and polished bi-coloured design, set with brilliant and single-cut diamonds, accented with circular-shaped sapphire eyes, mounted in 18K gold, signed Illias Lalaounis, maker’s mark, length 9.3cm Ilias Lalaounis was born in Athens in 1920, the third generation of a family of goldsmiths and watchmakers from Delphi. After completing his university studies, he joined his uncle’s jewellery firm, where he apprenticed as a goldsmith and honed the skills that would define his future as a master craftsman. Amid the instability of World War II, Lalaounis took over the family business and began exploring the art of his ancestors, driven by a deep passion for history. As Greece recovered from the war, Lalaounis’s vision took shape. He sought to revitalise Greek museum artifacts by transforming them into jewellery. Reviving ancient techniques, he introduced modern technology while focusing on educating his fellow craftsmen in forgotten skills such as granulation, filigree, hand-weaving, and hand-hammering. In 1957, he founded the Greek Jewellers Association and unveiled his first collection, the Archaeological Collection, which drew inspiration from Classical, Hellenistic, and Minoan-Mycenaean art. This fusion of modern jewellery with historical elements garnered international attention. After his uncle’s passing, Lalaounis established his own company, setting up headquarters on Karyatidon Street, at the foot of the Acropolis. Unlike many of his peers, who often preferred diamonds and large gemstones, Lalaounis discovered his passion for gold early in his career, referring to it as the most human material. His collections, rich in 18- and 22-karat gold, were inspired by a wide range of cultures and historical periods, from prehistoric to Minoan art, as well as Persian, Byzantine, Chinese, and Tudor styles. In the 1970s, Lalaounis continued to innovate, exploring new forms of expression influenced by nature, science, the intricate movements of cells, and celestial themes. As recognition of his work grew, so did his business, expanding across Europe, Asia, and America. He became the first goldsmith to be honoured by the Institut de France, Académie des Beaux-Arts et des Lettres, for his remarkable contributions to the art of jewellery. Since 1998, Lalaounis’s legacy of creativity has been carried on by his four daughters. They continue to uphold a long-standing family tradition, ensuring that the LALAoUNIS legacy is passed down to future generations.