Ilias Lalaounis

Taking inspiration from Grecian, Byzantine, and a variety of other ancient jewelry styles to create contemporary pieces, the Athenian goldsmith Ilias Lalaounis has gifted the world with an appreciation for the venerable art of adornment.

Lalaounis started working as an apprentice in his family’s jewelry company in 1940. In 1969, he decided to separate from the family business to start his own production. Focusing mainly on the fabrication of chains, Lalaounis would later introduce ancient Greek revival pieces to incredible success. The jewelry house achieves the international recognition that it was striving for when in the 1960s, Aristotle Onassis started purchasing pieces for Maria Callas, as well as his later wife, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy.

 
Ilias Lalaounis Pearl Necklace (Lot 2108) and matching earrings (Lot 2109), offered in the November 2020 Jewels & Watches auction.

An artist as well as a jeweler, Lalaounis explored the ancient jewels of his ancestors to breathe new life into forgotten crafts. He schooled his fellow craftsmen in the production of his pieces, using ancient techniques such as granulation, filigree, hand-weaving, and hand-hammering to create pieces that are steeped in antiquity. His inexhaustible creativity and appreciation of antique crafts led him to be the first goldsmith to be honored by the Académie des Beaux-Arts et des Lettres, for his contribution to the art of jewelry.

History of Ilias Lalaounis

Born in 1920 as a fourth-generation Athenian goldsmith, the art of fine jewelry crafting was always Ilias Lalaounis’s destiny. After taking the helm at his family’s jewelry firm, Lalaouinis began to pave the path for his future passion — blending a love for Grecian art and jewelry-making practices with the twist of modern technology. Before long, Lalaounis was making a name for himself as he crafted unique pieces that reimagined ancient Greek artifacts.

Introducing His Collection to the World

Lalaouinis’ first collection — which was heavily inspired by classical and Hellenistic art — debuted in 1957. This launch was met with international acclaim, providing the perfect starting point for a new company, which he would start more than a decade later.

Lalalounis’ company presented an avenue to delve even deeper into his distinct style, which was characterized by a focus on gold materials. He primarily drew inspiration from the historical periods spanning from prehistoric Minoan art through the art of the English Tudors, as well as humanistic elements of nature and animals.

Expanding His Legacy Overseas

Lalaounis’s company soon found success overseas, expanding to galleries across Europe, the U.S. and Asia. Between 1969 and 2002, Lalaounis presented 50 collections worldwide. In 1993, he unveiled the Ilias Lalalounis Jewelry Museum, located at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens. This museum — run today by his daughters — continues to be a cultural center connecting ancient history with the present day through jewelry.

Ilias Lalaounis Hinged Choker (Lot 2110) and matching bracelet (Lot 2111), offered in the November 2020 Jewels & Watches auction.

Discover Ilias Lalaounis’s Most Beloved Pieces

Ilias Lalaounis is said to describe his own pieces as “jewelry with soul.” This inspiration paved the way for a collection of lifelike pieces that draw incredible warmth and vivacity from each gemstone’s striking beauty. His iconic style is characterized by an orchestration of ancient styles with bold reimagined statement pieces. It is no surprise that Ilias Lalaounis fine jewelry has earned its place among a lineage of premium artwork.

In line with the unique craftsmanship of their creator, Lalaounis’s most iconic pieces cannot be defined. Among his most famed work, you’ll find pieces from his timeless animal kingdom collection. These include a gold necklace with lion heads featuring dazzling ruby eyes and an exquisite brooch with interlocked bull horns inlaid with sapphires. His dramatic gold statement pieces — including intricate gold cuff bracelets and 18-karat gold torque necklaces — are also commonly hailed as some of his most striking works.

Ilias Lalaounis Gold Bull Brooch- Fortuna Auction NYC
Ilias Lalaounis Bull Brooch, featuring a mix of textured gold for the fur and horns of the bull—truly representative of the Greek designer’s mastery of goldsmithing.

Collections inspired by Helen of Troy and the Glory of Byzantium now take the place among his most treasured pieces, sought after around the world. From the neolithic era to ancient Greece, Lalaounis’s most iconic pieces reflect how history has shaped us and remains vibrantly alive in our culture today.

Claim Your Own Iconic Jewelry Piece at Our Upcoming Auction

Fortuna Auction is excited to offer a desirable collection of Lalaounis’s iconic and fashionable pieces including a bold brooch featuring bull heads with interlocking horns and pink sapphire-set eyes, as well as a garnet ring with filigree details fit for a Roman empress. Click here to view all the Ilias Lalaounis jewelry offered in Fortuna’s upcoming November Jewels & Watches sale. Our upcoming auction is a rare opportunity to purchase your own larger-than-life Ilias Lalaounis jewelry or sell yours at auction

Reach out to Fortuna today to schedule a valuation, and check out our upcoming auctions to find sought-after items to add to your personal collection.