ZOLOTAS: A PAIR OF GOLD 'CLASSICS' EARCLIPS Each of bombé d...

Hammer

€2,600

ZOLOTAS: A PAIR OF GOLD 'CLASSICS' EARCLIPS Each of bombé design with finely hammered surface, in 22K gold, signed Zolotas, with maker's mark, length 4.2cm Zolotas is a jewellery house that blends modern fine jewellery with ancient Greek metalworking and decoration. Founded in 1895 in Athens by Efthimios Zolotas, who trained in Paris, the business quickly became successful. The store on Aiolou Street became a hub for the Athenian elite. To meet high demand, Zolotas started an apprentice school at his workshop, fostering new design and innovation. Xenofon, Zolotas' son, was a young academic prodigy and a Professor of Financial Law by age 24. He even served briefly as Prime Minister of Greece from 1989-1990. Despite his busy schedule, Xenofon remained involved in the family business, sharing a love of fine jewellery and Greek history. In the 1950s and 1960s, Xenofon and his wife Kallirhoe, a prominent figure in New York Greek society, formed exclusive partnerships with Greek archaeological museums. This allowed Zolotas to create jewellery inspired by ancient treasures like the Lions of Mycenae and Byzantine mosaics. Their aim was to make modern women feel like goddesses, a goal they achieved with clients like Maria Callas, Jackie Onassis, and Romy Schneider. In the 1970s, Zolotas established itself in Paris and became a centre for fine art creation. They collaborated with sculptors and painters, producing stunning pieces such as Taki's pearl jewellery that moves with body temperature and Claude Lalanne's laurel leaf necklaces. A notable collaboration was with Paloma Picasso, daughter of Pablo Picasso, who created successful pieces featuring daisies and moon phases. In the past twenty years, Zolotas has continued to blend modern and global influences with local ancient, specifically Hellenic and Cycladic, styles. Artistic director Georges Papalexis now leads the mission to interpret diamonds in a uniquely Greek way.