It’s fitting that Ilias Lalaounis (1920–2013) is the only jeweler ever inducted into the prestigious Académie des Beaux-Arts — the Greek jeweler’s creations, such as his decorative gold necklaces and rings, are less fashion adornment and more works of art.
Lalaounis was born in Athens in 1920 to a family of goldsmiths and watchmakers with origins in Delphi. Before turning to the family business, Lalaounis studied law, economics, business and music and trained with the painter Alexandros Alexandrakis. Such a well-rounded education laid the foundation for his unique approach to jewelry.
Lalaounis took the helm of his uncle’s jewelry company in 1940. The impact of the Second World War on Greece inspired the jeweler to celebrate his country’s history by reinterpreting its artifacts into new works of art. In 1957, Lalaounis founded the Greek Jewelers’ Association and exhibited at the Thessaloniki International Fair, showcasing the first of his “collections,” as he would come to define his phases of work. This, the Archaeological Collection, was informed by classical and Hellenistic history.
Lalaounis would go on to find new ways to render historic motifs in gold and gemstones after founding his namesake house in 1969. For his 1970s-era collection, Blow Up, he displayed gold pieces inspired by Minoan art on his models’ entire bodies; after opening a store in Tokyo, he presented a collection informed by Japanese art. Later, Lalaounis introduced a collection inspired by Native Americans at his Madison Avenue store in Manhattan. One of the jeweler’s most important commissions came in 1976, when he designed a collection that drew on Persian art for Empress Farah of Iran.
In 1984, Lalaounis explored his unique creative vision with a book, Metamorphoses. By the 1990s, he had stores across Europe as well as in Tokyo, Hong Kong and New York City, and his work had been exhibited at the National Museum of American History and the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, to name a few. In 1994, he founded his own eponymous museum in Athens, with a permanent collection of pieces from 45 of his collections. Lalaounis died in 2013.
Lalaounis’s research-driven approach to jewelry design gives his pieces a depth on par with any art form.
Find an ornate assortment of Ilias Lalaounis’s yellow-gold necklaces, rings and more on 1stDibs.
| Average Sold Price |
| $5,904 |
| Styles |
Vintage 18k Gold Ring by Lalaounis, Circa 1970
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Altrincham, GB
Ilias Lalaounis was born in Athens in 1920, the third generation of a family of goldsmiths and watchmakers from Delphi. After studying economics and law at the University of Athens, ...
18k Gold
$60,750
W 0.65 in L 18.51 in
Ilias Lalaounis 18K Yellow Gold Lion Head Emerald Diamond Bolo Lariat Necklace
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Miami, FL
This Ilias Lalaounis signed 18K yellow gold bolo lariat necklace features two sculpted lion head terminals set with emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and diamonds, suspended from a woven foxtail chain with an emerald-set slide. The necklace measures 18.5 inches in length with a 5.5mm chain width and 16.5mm lion head terminals. Product Specifications: Item Type: Bolo Lariat Necklace Brand / Maker: Ilias Lalaounis, Greece Metal: 18K Yellow Gold (stamped 750, Greece hallmark) Metal Purity Verified: 19.37K (XRF test confirmed 80.71% Au) Chain Style: Woven Foxtail / Rope Mesh Chain Width: 5.5mm Length: 18.5 inches Lion Head Terminal Size: 16.5mm Total Weight: 152 grams Hallmarks: A21, 750, Greece maker's mark Origin: Made in Greece Accent Stone Details: Type: Natural Emerald, Natural Sapphire, Natural Ruby, Diamond Emerald Setting: Bezel-set round emeralds on slide connector and lion collar bands Sapphire Setting: Bezel-set round sapphires on lion collar bands Ruby Setting: Bezel-set round rubies as lion eyes Diamond Setting: Bezel-set round diamonds on white gold petal crown detail Metal Accent: White gold petal crown surrounds the lion head finials About the Setting: The setting showcases Ilias Lalaounis's signature archaeological revival craftsmanship, with two three-dimensional lion heads hand-sculpted in 18K yellow gold, each crowned with alternating white gold petals set with round diamonds. A woven foxtail mesh chain — a hallmark of the house — flows into braided rope terminals that connect to each lion head collar, finished with bezel-set emeralds and sapphires in granulated gold bands. The emerald-set slide connector at center controls the drape and drop of the lariat, allowing adjustable wear. About the Stones: The necklace features a multi-gem combination of natural emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and diamonds spread across the lion heads, collar bands, and center slide. Round emeralds dominate the slide and lower collar rings in a vivid, saturated green that contrasts brilliantly against the warm yellow gold. Round sapphires add deep blue accents to the collar bands alongside the emeralds, while ruby cabochons serve as the lion's eyes — a dramatic and iconic Lalaounis design detail. White round diamonds set into the white gold petal crown frames above each lion head complete the multi-gemstone composition. About Ilias Lalaounis: Ilias Lalaounis (1920–2013) was one of Greece's most celebrated and internationally recognized jewelry masters, whose work brought ancient Hellenic and archaeological motifs into the realm of high jewelry. Founded in Athens in the 1950s, the House of Lalaounis became renowned for its exceptional goldsmithing techniques, drawing inspiration from Minoan, Mycenaean, Byzantine, and Classical Greek art. The atelier's signature use of heavy 18K gold, granulation, repoussé, and intricate chain-weaving established a distinctive visual language that was immediately identifiable. Lalaounis pieces are held in major museum collections worldwide, including the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Lalaounis Lion Heads Sautoir Necklace
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in New York, NY
Finley crafted in 18k yellow gold with multi-color gemstones. Signed by Ilias Lalaounis Circa 1980s
18k Gold
Spectacular Lalaounis Earrings
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s 22k by Ilias Lalaounis Greece. These boldly stylish gold earrings by Lalaounis revive classic Mycenaean motifs for a look that is as chic as it is timeless. Ilias Lalaou...
22k Gold
Ilias Lalaounis Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Double Ram Ruby Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in New York, NY
A remarkable vintage bracelet by renowned Greek jeweler Ilias Lalaounis, masterfully crafted in richly textured 18K yellow gold. This bold and highly sculptural design features two o...
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ilias Lalaounis Lion Head Bypass Ring 18K Yellow Gold and Ruby
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Chicago, IL
This adorable ring by Greek designer Ilias Lalaounis depicts a lion head with faceted ruby eyes and arms hugging around the finger with tail wrapped in a bypass design. With a brushe...
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Magnificent 22K Yellow Gold 31 Inch Long Necklace by Lalaounis
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This magnificent 22K yellow gold thirty one inch long vintage necklace is an iconic treasure from Lalaounis. Alternating fluted roundells with pinched and hammered oval puff links cr...
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Designer Ilias Lalaounis Solid 18k Yellow Gold Bead Necklace & Bracelet Set
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Item Details (Set):-- Material: Solid 18k Yellow Gold Weight: 48.12 Grams Hallmark(s): Ilias Lalaounis - A 21 750 - Greece Condition: Shows some light wear. Original finish & patin...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| $5,904 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $750-$22,716 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |
